This article will focus on the three facets of taxidermy that must be addressed to become successful. Any weakness within the ring of three qualities must be compensated accordingly by the other two qualities. This triad of strengths must be balanced and counterbalanced to afford success. For this article, when we use the word “success” we are referring to financial success in your business. It is defined as a profit margin that allows the support of the family household. The three facets are quality of your product, marketability, and work ethic. Allow me to help define and quantitate each of these three categories and then regroup to discuss the combination. You will notice that some facets will be reflected within all groups.

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The 4 new inductees selected by committee vote for 2025 are:

CONTEMPORARY

Dennis Behn

Ralph and Sandy Garland

HISTORICAL

Louis Dufresne

Martha Maxwell

Every two years we receive new nominations for the THOF induction year, which are odd number years. Nominations were accepted during 2024 and up until February 28, 2025, when we received 11 new nominations during that period (8 contemporary and 3 historical). These new nominees were voted on by a 20-member Selection Committee for approval. In May all 11 new nominees were approved with a required 70 percent yes approval vote. We also had 4 past approved nominees that were carried forward from previous induction years for a total of 15 nomination to be considered in 2025.

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Gambel’s quail, also known as desert quail, are located in dry regions of the southwestern United States. They inhabit the desert regions of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Texas, and the Colorado region of Baja California. These quail are small ground-dwelling birds in the New World quail family. They are named in honor of William Gambel, a 19th-century naturalist and explorer of the southwestern United States. Gambel’s quail can be commonly confused with California quail due to similar plumage, especially the plume on top of their heads.

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The whitetail I killed had antler color and surface features different from any I had taken on this property in past years. In fact, they were different than any I had ever seen killed in all my years of hunting Sancudo Ranch. It was a very worthy rack considering the deer was very old; I estimated 8½ to 10½ years old from aging his teeth. His body and likely antlers were going down. As I write this article I will offer my opinion of why the surface of my deer’s antlers were “ugly compared to the norm” and why I decided to make them look natural again.

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All Entries (pictured) from the 2024 World Fish Carving Championships®

Coralville, Iowa • August 6–11, 2024

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