As I began my research and collecting photography for this photo study, I soon realized that I know far less about otters than I thought. Having a degree in Animal Science, and a second degree in Vocational Education, along with (hmmm) over 50 years as a professional in taxidermy make me no expert on otters, or for that matter, any other animal. The fact is, research often makes me realize how much I have forgotten or never knew. In a taxidermy career we really do not mount that many otters, but when we do we need reference and an understanding of its unique features and even life cycle characteristics to produce accurate lifelike mounted animals. Often we will look at a species, like otters, and presume they all look the same. In the case of otters, they have big furred heads with little eyes and ears, big round bodies and thick muscular tails. In reality, there are thirteen surviving species worldwide and they inhabitant countries around the great globe we live on. The thirteen species range in adult sizes from 2 to 6 feet in length with weights from 10 to 100 pounds, and there are differences in species and in individual appearance.

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Without question some of the most popular articles we have ever published were turkey procedure articles by World Champion Cally Morris. (Articles on his procedures have appeared in Issues 66, 67, 68, 75, 80, and 81.) Cally’s unique streamline process for mounting turkeys in all attitudes was a game changer in mounting one of North America’s favorite and most difficult to mount game birds. Cally has been planning and working toward the introduction of his new line of turkey forms, The World Slam Series. These new forms introduce improvements in the design and usage of his turkey forms and associated products. Cally has also established a school for instruction in all areas of taxidermy with some of the top names in the taxidermy industry. We are extremely happy to present in this issue Cally’s article on mounting a flying turkey using his new line of turkey forms. These forms are made specifically for flight and are made specific as to a left or right direction of flight. The difference in the flight to the right and flight to the left is the lower wing ball socket is angled down slightly and the upper wing ball socket is angled slightly upward to accommodate wing angle setting close to the wall. Cally’s full procedure for mounting a flying turkey is shown in detail using over 100 photos and captioned instructions from this talented World Champion. Cally has improved what was once considered by many as the best turkey forms on the market. Now he is going to show all of use the best way to mount on them.

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Just a few months back I had a client who told me his exciting fish-catching story as we negotiated the plan for doing his mount. He expressed that excitement of his trophy marlin and how it jumped and thrashed while close to the boat at the end of the battle. He went on to tell me about the mouth and gills and all these observation details as they revived the beast while it swam alongside the slow-moving boat. It was during that conversation that I knew I could create for him a special mount and sealed the deal, negotiating the job if I altered my casting. I have a mold that was a perfect size and length but the mouth was only slightly open and the gills were closed. I wanted to do the mount to bring back to life the details he remembered of the wide open mouth and gills, so alterations on that cast were the only solution.

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When it comes to pay day there may be some items you may have to ship. Some, you may be able to ship while others times you will have to personally deliver or hire out to have delivered. My next article will cover loading and securing mounts for delivery in a personal trailer or preparing them for delivery for hire service. There are several things to to be aware of and keep in mind when shipping; one is restrictions. Every shipping company may have different weight restrictions, size restrictions, and oversize restrictions that will increase the cost of shipping that you will need to pass on to your client. Another thing to consider is restrictions on types of wood are allowed for crate building if shipping outside the United States.

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I am sure that I am no different than most hunters in the fact that I learned the basics of still-hunting, stalking, and early hunting instincts while hunting squirrels. My uncle “Swede” was my teacher soon after he and my dad bought me a single-barrel 410 when I was 6 or 7 years old. They taught me safety first, then how to hold and shoot that trusted shotgun. I remember like yesterday the day I shot my first gray squirrel with that first gun—which I still have.

I learned quickly that it was a gun for gray squirrels and not fox squirrels, which were bigger and would climb the tallest pine trees if they spotted you first. Eventually, fox squirrels became my favorite game to hunt by my early teens using a new 16-gauge shotgun I was given for Christmas.

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