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.

Permits are essentially shallow water, schooling fish, occurring over sandy flats and reefs in depths of from 3 to 300 feet of water. They travel in schools of six to fifty or more fish, though occasionally they may be seen in the hundreds on wrecks and reefs. I have 30 different molds of permits, from 10 inches to 50 inches, and find them to be quite uncomplicated to paint. That being said, let’s begin the painting process, shall we?

     To secure this painting schedule for your collection, subscriv=be online at www.breakthroughmagazine.com, or call 800-783-7266.

     During my years as a commercial taxidermist I have mounted most of the game animals hunted by my North American customers from around the world. In saying that, I could count on both hands the number of roe deer I received. I am not sure why, since roe deer are an extremely popular game animal in Europe, much like whitetail deer are here in the US. When we produced the two World Shows in Salzburg Austria, it was necessary to change the “Whitetail Deer” category to “Roe Deer.”

     To access the rest of this useful reference article on roe deer, subscribe online at www.breakthroughmagazine.com, or call 800-783-7266.