swwildlife

We have a few to choose from. Give us a call and we can find what you are looking for. Jim

WOW, another new thing that will kill us! I know that if the foam is burnt it emits a toxic gas that is very deadly, even in small quantities. As far as the constant emmision of something bad. I have my doubts. I have worked in shops for 30 plus years with at any given time at least 75-100 forms and mount all around me. and nothing bad has happened yet. If there were something to it, you would think that over the years taxidermist would die or become sick at a higher rate than a person that is not around forms. When I first got into this business I was at the tail end of real bad stuff. Asbestos for filler, arsnic as a bug proofer. and many of the old timers I know are still alive. with that said I'm still interested in what you find out. please keep me posted. Jim

Dale, its not very common. I have mounted 2 in my career. and from what I remember they were both from the same unit. I can't remember what unit. From what I remember they were both later season deer. the first one I thought I did something wrong, I kept grooming and nothing worked. then the light bulb went off and I realized it was a mane or colick. its cool to see those oddities. it is definitely not too small of form. great looking mount

Here are a few mule deer we have completed.

The Phoenix chapter of SCI is selling raffle tickets for a Lion hunt with hounds. Only 100 tickets will be sold. they are 100.00 each and can be purchased from Southwest Wildlife in Scottsdale (480) 661-0372 or from the chapter office. contact Danell at 480 496-0701. The winner will also receive a lifesize mount or rug. The drawing will be held on Dec. 19th 2011. for more information contact either Jim at(480) 661-0372 or Danell at (480) 496-0701

Here are a few.

your not crazy at all. that is cool! Bret did a fantastic job. Its so neat to see a custom mount like that. every Javelina is in a different natural pose. The rocks look great too. I don't care what anybody says thats a mount to cherish. Jim

Time is running out to purchase tickets for this hunt. drawing will be held on Dec. 19th. tickets and more information at (480) 661-0372 or (480) 496-0701 Your odd are real good.

For those that are interested, the Phoenix Chapter SCI is raffling off a Mountain Lion hunt and a Life size mount or rug of your trophy. here is the link. http://www.phxsci.org/ Only 100 tickets will be sold. There are going fast. I have tickets at my studio in north Scottsdale or you can call Danell Munyan with SCI

Those are both great bucks, you guys are my coues idols, you get great deer every year! Congrats. The rubber legs go away in a couple days. I know what you mean.

I took my son and one of his friends out hunting this weekend. We had a hard time the first day. didn't see a living creature. I started to second guess myself. Then on Sunday we tried a new place that I have never been to before. I knew of the canyon but never looked into it. we got to the edge and when the sun came up, I thought "Oh now what have I gotten myself into, I don't think I could go down there after a deer and make it out." It was a huge canyon. with in 15 min. we glassed a buck on the nearest mini ridge, just going over. The boys talked me into skirting around the canyons edge about a half mile to see where the buck went. "You know Dad its the only one we have seen, so we better go after it." What logic. So we did. After working around the canyon's edge on a 60-70 degree slope. we spied the buck lying down. and also saw a doe. we worked into 269 yds and my son's friend took the shot. down he went with one shot. as we were high 5 ing what we thought was a doe turned out to be a one horned buck (the other horn turned down along it's face)came walking out from the trees. My son shot it too. It was great to see their faces when we got to their trophies. Now the real work began. They packed one deer out and came back for the second. It took us about 3 hours to get both the bucks out, even though straght as the crow flys was about 800 yards. rocky, steep, slick, and hot. You can bet they wont forget their first deer!

congrats, thanks for sharing. great looking buck.

thats a great buck! you should be proud of that one.

At all of the seminars on field care that I have done, that question comes up. I tell people first don't even ask about price. Go look at their work, look to see if the animals look alive. make sure you are looking at customer work, not something he has done for competition. it helps to look at pictures of live deer or what ever animal you are going to get mounted. so you can compare the expressions, eyes, ears etc. make sure that he is tanning the skins, not some quick tan type method. there is a science involved in tanning, not just soak it in this or that. ask about the turnaround time. you shouldnt have to wait more than 14-15 months and it shouldn't be less than about 6. if it is, thats a red flag. then ask price. the prices vary in Arizona from 250.00 to 1000.00 for a deer head. the average being about 550-700 range. generally the higher price the better quality and the longer it will last. It's like optics, buy the best you can afford. Make sure he is licensed not only with the Game and Fish but with the city they are working in. The last thing I tell people is to look at the peronallity of the taxidermist, Can you work with him? what happens if there is a problem, can you guys work it out? this is a general rule of thumb, there are exceptions to the rule. Jim

thats a great buck, congrats to your brother and to you for your hard work.

Hey Devin, great buck! Need a taxidermist? I know of one. ha ha Jim

If you want a unique pose for your deer here is a couple to think about. Both are from Arizona. One is for a Coues Whitetail Member's. Pictures just don't do them justice, They look good from all angles.

Here are two, the flying pose is a little different than most as it is comming out of the wall and comming in for a landing. Most of the flying Geese are flying either right or left with the wall as in the 2nd photo.

what an Elk!

I think its just another way to close the forest to everyone. one small chunk at a time in the name of public saftey. Remember Bushnell Tanks. Been closed since the fire of ???? I don't even remember the name of that one. I thinks at least 10 years ago. Don't be fooled they (USFS) want us out.

Occasionally we get to work on some crazy stuff. This is one of them. This successful sheep hunter wanted to recreate his trophy including the sheep's curved nose. The hunter wanted to make sure that the crooked nose would be seen. As you can see the lower jaw is also curved. We turned the head away from the curve and tipped the head down. So this is a pictorial of the project. Look close at the skull, there is no visible damage to cause the curve. And it also has ivories.

Hats off to you! You are welcome in my camp anytime.

I don't know of anyone in the east valley that has beetles. the only ones that I know have colonies are Western Skulls and Bret Prentice Both in far west valley. PM me for their contact details.

Went out yesterday to find a new place to hunt in 21 for the Oct hunt. our old place wasn't too productive last year. Saw 3 bucks and 1 doe. 2 bucks in the mid 90's one about 70. watched them at 200 yds. then later saw the doe at 85 yds. We have 4 tags so its going to be a tough hunt to fill all. My 2 sons have a tag and one son has a friend that has a tag and myself. If we only get 3 thats fine with me. my main objective is to get them shots. I'm getting excited now!

here is a buck that will not score too well, but I like it. on the right side it has 4 main beams growing independant of each other.