As I have said in previous articles I enjoy all of the phases in mounting snakes, but it’s the final finishing work that brings back the beauty of these reptiles. Back in Part 1 (Breakthrough Issue #150) I covered my process of molding the head of a snake before the skinning process takes place. It consisted mainly of molding the head of a closed-mouth snake I mounted for this article series.  I also used a custom-molded open-mouth cast that I made myself using similar materials that I used in Part 1 for the closed-mouth head. An open-mouth cast can be made from a frozen head or a freeze-dried head. A snake head has to be shaped and frozen before it goes into a freeze dryer so that part of setting up the head for freezing is the same. It is much easier to mold a dry freeze-dried head than a frozen head, so that is how I prefer to do it.

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Listed are all competitors, their entries, and scores from the 2024 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships that was held August 6–10 in Coralville, Iowa.

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Small mammals have long been a pleasurable specialty for taxidermists to mount. Their popularity has increased year after year in competition taxidermy as noted at the recent 2024 World Taxidermy Championships® with a record number of entries in both the master division and professional division. I will classify small mammals as any mammal less than 25 pounds or smaller. At the WTC we also allow the young of medium mammals 25 pounds or less in the small mammal subcategories where they compete with mammals of a comparable size. In this feature I will focus on weasels where a large one may reach 1 pound but most are 8 –12 ounces.

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There are literally hundreds of memories from our 2024 World Show which makes it extremely difficult to start this review. Friends and colleagues from all over the USA and world were there, and it was great to see each of them. We meet so many new friends that we have communicated with, but never the opportunity to meet in person. It will forever be Kathy’s and my most memorable show. Not only because of this camaraderie or the fact it will be the last show that we produce, but also because it was the best and biggest show in so many ways, and that is saying a lot because there have been a lot of great ones. This show broke all of our previous shows records. This show had 709 entries (the most ever) and they were sensational! We had the largest attendance with 1,816 registrations, 790 attending the Friday night awards presentation, and over 1,600 room-nights filled at our host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Coralville, and three adjacent hotels. As we had hoped and expected, the Hyatt Regency and Conference Center exceeded our expectations and the same can be said for the adjacent hotels and business community. Throughout the show, we were constantly told, “We love this facility, the hotel, and the area!”

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Last issue I took you through one of my processes for making a rock and dirt base for many types of taxidermy projects. This issue I will use that base to create a lifelike taxidermy display. This part of the project often hinges on the details that surround the subject; incorporating artificial grass and lichens can elevate your work to a new level of realism. These elements not only provide a natural backdrop but also enhance the overall aesthetic, making the mounted specimen look more at home in its environment. In this article, we’ll explore the techniques and materials needed to craft convincing artificial grass and lichens, offering step-by-step guidance to help you create a stunning foundation for your taxidermy projects. Whether you are a seasoned taxidermist or just a hobbyist, these tips will help you add that perfect touch of nature to your displays.

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