I've spent nearly thirty-five years of my life working in different studios across the country, and I’ve worked alongside many great people in the trade, from small studios to some of the largest. There is one common problem that seems to be universal in most shops: the taxidermist gets his clients’ deposits, complete the work, and then sit on the balance waiting for the clients to pick up their trophies.

I’ve seen it and have listened to many fellow taxidermists lament over the fact that they are always waiting for money. Why is this accepted as the norm?

     Presenting the WTC and WFCC is a photographic challenge. After every World Championships we consider the different options available to us in showing photos of the inspiring work of the competitors as well as events and camaraderie between those who had the opportunity to attend. Each show we have so many attendees come up to Kathy and me and our staff who say, “This is my first World Show and I will not miss another!” Others impassionately say, “I have attended every show since the one in Reno…” or one of the other World Show locations. Those comments are very meaningful to us, and we realize not everyone has the chance to see and attend this popular event which occurs only every two years.

     It is our desire after each show to present it with impact from a publisher’s prospective. We want to make it exciting for those who did attend as well as for those who did not. We can only do this with photography that shows the inspiring work, enthusiasm of the attendance, and grandeur of the event. It is time for us to tell you how we get this great photography of the World Championships and for us to give immense thanks for their time, dedication, and efforts.

In our continuing reference studies of the grouse of North America, the feature species this issue is sharp-tailed grouse, with a article by Dave Luke on mounting this beautiful North American gamebird. In my first introduction to grouse of North America in Issue 123, we published a few select reference photos of sharp-tails. In this issue we present the rest of those we feel are an asset to taxidermists and other wildlife artists.

     To read the complete 4-page reference study with 18 stunning photos, subscribe to Breakthrough online at www.breakthroughmagazine, or call 800-783-7266.

     Viewing the various prairie grouse photos, it became evident that both greater prairie chickens and sharp- tailed grouse were actually the two main varieties of prairie grouse that an American taxidermist would encounter. With this in mind and knowing that bird taxidermists across America would all eventually encounter these specimens within their studios, Breakthrough publisher Larry Blomquist thought a small article on assembly of a sharp-tailed grouse would be of interest.

     As in the previous article of mounting a prairie grouse I’m by-passing details of skinning fleshing washing and tumbling basically the prep work before assembly begins. This article will begin with a fully prepped skin ready to assemble. Let’s get started!

     To have Dave Luke's complete mounting procedure on this sharpie, subscribe online at www breakthroughmagazine.com, or call 800-783-7266.

     Joe Meder of Solon, Iowa was awarded the fifth World Show Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent 2017 World Taxidermy Championships®. For those who were not able to attend this recent event, we are offering this short biography which was presented at the awards ceremony reviewing Joe’s notable achievements and contributions to the taxidermy industry.

     The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievements in taxidermy and/or fish carving. The award was first given at the 2007 WTC in Reno, Nevada; the five recipients are Henry Witchers Inchmunk, Simon Blackshaw, Bob Berry, Joe Kish, and Joe Meder.