Page 66 - November/December 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

DON P. BROWN/ODWC

Tim Starks at work on his wood duck mount.
MEMORIES TURNED

MASTERPIECES

TAXIDERMISTS TRANSFORM NATURE’S BOUNTY INTO ARTISTIC BEAUTY

Most anyone fond of the natural world is also giraffe could be seen in the competition room.
captivated by taxidermy, the “art of preparing, One of the most popular contests requires
stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals.” participants to complete a mount of an animal
It’s a practice that goes back to ancient Egypt. or game bird in the span of three hours. It’s
But through the centuries, methods improved like taxidermy on steroids — an intense ses-
and techniques developed allowing true works sion where work that normally could take the
of art to be created by expert taxidermists. artist months to complete must be done in
For almost 40 years, scores of these skilled only 180 minutes!
artists have gathered for the annual con- While the artists are hustling to finish before
vention and competition of the Oklahoma time expires, fellow taxidermists are milling
Taxidermists Association. This past summer, about, watching and perhaps picking up tips
around 200 people gathered in Midwest City and techniques as each mount takes shape.
for seminars, socials, live competitions, and Here’s a look at some of the sights from the
awards. Mounts ranging from a sunfish to a 2022 convention.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 37