Get Stuffed: How to pick a taxidermist pt 2

What is the Difference between Commercial Mounts (Client Mounts) and Competition Mounts (Display Mounts)

Written by Ron Shaefer

Trade shows and show rooms could be mounts they worked on just for show or something that have purchased from another taxidermist. That may not be what you get back. This is a very common. No matter how smooth the sales pitch is and what they say they can do. You want to see finished client mounts. Their finished work in the back room before it hits the display room is most likely what you will receive in return. Have the taxidermist point out what are their client’s mounts and what are display mounts or competition mounts.

When visiting a taxidermist ask why I should choose you over a different taxidermist. Let them tell you what they offer. You want someone to explain to you how they separate themselves from the rest. Then they can show you around their showroom that most likely is mixed with display pieces and pieces that are ready to be picked up by their clients. You can compare if their display is equal to the quality that leaves their studio. You may or may not want that type of quality. Ask if you can use a flashlight to check the quality of their work around the eyes and if the pupils are level, inside the nostrils, inside the ears or any shaded areas. After all most sales pitches are that, their quality supersedes the rest. Have them prove it. Have them point out their quality, not you trying to find it.

If a taxidermist knocks quality, they most likely do not have a lot in their mounts. Some may say you need to view it from 15 to 20 feet back. All though this may be true, you are just trying to determine if you are paying for the quality and not receiving it.

Consumer Mount

Competition Mount

You will need to know the difference between a commercial mount vs. a competition mount. A commercial mount is what you the consumer will receive back. Your trophy is mounted and finished in a certain period of time in order for a taxidermist to earn a profit.

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Posted by Wawang Lake on October 13, 2013 in taxidermy, Wawang Lake Resort

Tags: hunting, Taxidermy, Trophy hunting, Wawang Lake, Wawang Lake Resort

Get Stuffed: How to choose a taxidermist pt 1

12 Oct

So each year I have been asked by many of our hunters if we suggest a good taxidermist. Though we do have a few that we prefer, they may not be in the hunter’s area. While doing my research, I came across an absolutely wonderful article written by Ron Schaefer of Heads Above the Rest Taxidermy located in Clifton Texas. Take some time to check out some of their absolutely stunning work…..they really know what they are doing and are truly heads above the rest in the industry!

How to Choose a Taxidermist Pt. 1

By Ron Schaefer

So many hunters spend endless hours researching an outfitter or an area to hunt. Some plan for years. Hunters spend endless hours talking with their friends, checking referrals and dreaming. They even spend an enormous amount of money on hunting gear, new rifles and equipment to collect the trophy of a lifetime. Some spend quite a bit on hunting leases and hunting licenses, there are hunts that cost more than some people earn in a year’s time. Some hunters save their entire life for just one hunt. They plan to take time off from work, threaten their jobs, some even threaten their marriages or get into huge arguments with their spouse over their hunting. Nothing seems to stop them in their pursuit. Yet upon arrival from the hunt, many will choose a taxidermist by simply looking in a phone book for who is the most convenient, or a taxidermist being the least inexpensive! This results in unrealized expectations.

You should take as much time planning a hunt as choosing a taxidermist! Most often times even more! The investment you made collecting your trophy is a memory you want to remember for a lifetime. This is why you should carefully choose a taxidermist. What the taxidermist gives back to you is what you have to reflect back upon for the rest of your life. When walking through different trophy rooms it is shocking, what the hunter has to remember their hunts for the rest of their lives. The time to look for a taxidermist is long before hunting season or the hunt you plan to go on. If you wait until after the hunt, you do not have the time to shop around. Panic sets in and you usually will leave your trophy with the first taxidermist who is most convenient or least expensive without completing your research on them. If you ask a friend or a hunter, what taxidermist do you use? They may give you a referral to a taxidermist of lower quality; you may want a better quality of mount then referred.

Taxidermy is an art form. As with any artist, some are better than others.. Some people cannot draw a stick person. Some can draw something that looks like it can breathe. Some draw abstract and some can draw just…0kay. The same holds true in a taxidermist; not all taxidermists are artists. What each taxidermist sees through their eyes or mind is what they will give back to you. As you are looking and talking to different taxidermists, you will see many different opinions, some much stronger than others. These opinions may be one sided, or not what you imagined and you will also find some truly talented people. All of these opinions can be acceptable as long as this is what you are looking for. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself before choosing any taxidermist:

What exactly are you looking for in a taxidermist?
What exactly are you expecting from a taxidermist?
How much will price affect your decision?
How far are you willing to travel?
How much hassle are you willing to put up with in a taxidermist? Should you have hassle?

Try not to make a decision over the phone or price shopping without stopping in and seeing what you are actually buying. This is strongly encouraged that you visit as many studios that you can because there is a difference between all taxidermists! If you want quality in return then you will have to look for it. If you are at an outdoor convention or hunting show chances are there will be a taxidermist advertising at these events. You can ask questions and look at their work being displayed but do not make a decision until you visit their studio.

Stay tuned for Pt 2 The difference between commercial mounts and competition mounts….

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Posted by Wawang Lake on October 12, 2013 in taxidermy, Wawang Lake Resort

Tags: hunting, Outdoors, Taxidermists, Taxidermy, Trophy hunting, Wawang Lake, Wawang Lake Resort

Bear down! A year later

11 Oct

So it’s a year after Andy’s second successful harvest with us at Wawang. His 2012 boar tipped the scale at over 500lbs and 475lbs dressed. This was a Wawang record. Though we have had several 400lb+ bear over harvested in the area over the years, this boar really made for a real show stopper!

A respectable 475lb

I recently spoke to Andy and he was able to send pictures to me with the pictures of his mounted trophy that showed the bear that squared out at an incredible 7′ !!!!

Andy himself is a hobby taxidermist (as you can see) and completed this lovely mount beautifully. Stay tuned to our next segment called Get Stuffed which will deal with all things taxidermy and mounts 🙂

Feel free to check out some photos from the 2010 hunt as well as Andy’s brother Chip’s bear as well!

Andy’s 2010 mounted

Andy’s 2010 skull and 2012 skull

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Posted by Wawang Lake on October 11, 2013 in black bear, hunting, Wawang Lake Resort

Tags: bear, Bear-baiting, black bear, canada, hunting, Wawang Lake, Wawang Lake Resort

3 Bear down! The tale of the Three Amigos

07 Oct

There is nothing more fun for a hunter than taking a long road trip with the guys and getting away from it all. The difference between the average ‘getting away from it all’ and a hunter’s ‘getting away from it all’ is that the hunter’s version often times includes a stand and some great harvest stories. This rang true for Dave, Tim and Jason.

On September the 7th they arrived at my front door with weapons in hand and excitement in their eyes. Though it was Dave’s second hunt with us, it was both Tim and Jason’s first time hunting a bear. Dave had acquainted them with what to expect and the basics of our operation and much to the boy’s excitement, we were providing them all with baits that seemed to be jam packed with bruin.

The first night came with all guys coming to camp empty handed but Dave letting us know that his bait was just a Bear Highway….they were everywhere! Tim had heard a bear and Jason had yet to have any sign of.

The following night had proven fruitful to both Dave and Tim, taking their trophies earlier in the dusk hours. Jason had heard several sounds around him but had yet to spot. He was fine with that though as the following day was his birthday and he felt that a birthday bear would be that much more fitting.

The next morning as the boys began to prepare their bears, Jason prepped and began that drive to his stand. Thoughts raced through is head as to what his day would hold and how he was going to handle harvesting that bear. Early that evening, I spotted the truck pulling in, my heart was wild with anticipation….had he gotten his birthday bear? As Jason emerged, his face was pulled with a frustrated look and the color was drained.

“I missed!” was all he said.

After a few minutes of silence, Jason filled me in on the adventure.

“I was just opening my pb and j and having a bite. I saw a set of ears pop up and slowly put the sandwich on my lap. I lifted my gun just as the bear emerged to my right and he stood and sniffed the air…I think he wanted my sandwich! He dropped and began to lick the tree directly broadside and I fired……the bullet went low and right below. No hit but just hit the ground. I have NO IDEA what happened! The bear took off like a bat out of hell and that was it. I sat for about thirty minutes and had to get out of there. I am so frustrated that I know I couldn’t shoot proper a second time. Tomorrow I am taking my .270.”

With that we both agreed that this could happen to anyone and that it’s better than wounding and wasting a bear. I knew tomorrow he would have a different plan.
The next day Jason came in for his coffee and sat quiet. The thought of the day’s play could be read in his eyes and it was obvious that today he woke up with serious intention. Dave and Tim decided to load the boat and spend the day kicking back while Jason set out as tightly wound as he could be.
The day wore on and not a truck in sight. As the night fell, Jason arrived with a tired, defeated look in his eyes.

“Nothing. I didn’t see a thing today. It was a long day.”

I knew that the events of the day prior had made today seem much longer but I knew that his determination hadn’t left.

The following morning, Jason met with Terry and they came up with the new game plan. It was a variation of the original but the outcome was planned the same….Come home with a bear!
As Jason left for the day, we all settled back into our daily routines, me in the lodge, Tami back to marketing and Terry back out to the baiting.
At 3:12pm a black truck made a hasty entrance to the resort and straight over to cabin 6. Jason was back! He was energized as he exited the truck and fists pumped the sky!

“I got it! It’s down!”

With a couple of high fives and congratulations I could just see the pride in his eyes. He had finished the group with 100% success rate! As he tied the tell-tale orange flag for the other two on the lake to see, he began to load the truck with retrieval supplies.

As they all arrived back with Jason’s bear, the camaraderie was thick. Each were successful and each just as happy for each other as themselves.

Like I said, when a hunter ‘gets away from it all’ it’s what they come away with afterwards that counts!

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Posted by Wawang Lake on October 7, 2013 in black bear, Wawang Lake Resort

Tags: Bait, baiting, Bear-baiting, big game, black bear, canada, hunting, hunting guide, Wawang Lake, Wawang Lake Resort

In a Rut: BULL MOOSE DOWN!

05 Oct

First day, second hour and first moose down in camp!!! Nice job Sandro aka Rookie on his first moose and his first visit to Wawang Lake Resort and Outfitters!

Sandro came up with a the long time D’Ambroisio group that has camped with us for the past 15 years with overall fantastic success. John also let me know that all of this year’s group members have taken a moose over the years while staying with us!

We have 3 openings left for the 2013 moose hunt season. Sorry we do not have tags available.

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Posted by Wawang Lake on October 5, 2013 in hunting, moose, Wawang Lake Resort

Tags: canada, hunting, Moose, outfitter, Wawang Lake, Wawang Lake Resort, WMU 15A, WMU 15B

In a Rut: 15A & 15B Moose Gun opener this weekend

03 Oct

So here we are again with the moose hunt just around the corner. Our annual regulars will be descending on us from all over Ontario in hopes of bringing home those various trophies, be it antlers, meat or a great story!

Both the 15A and 15B area are renowned for the density of moose and the easily travelled roads and cut overs that make finding one or or more of these beauties much easier.

We look forward to what this big game hunt will bring and we will keep you all posted on the expected success 🙂

Stay tuned!

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Posted by Wawang Lake on October 3, 2013 in hunting, moose, Wawang Lake Resort

Tags: canada, hunting, Moose, ontario, Wawang Lake, Wawang Lake Resort, WMU 15A, WMU 15B

In a Rut: Call ahead

27 Sep

We all know that moose season in Ontario is just about to get fully underway and in anticipation of this event, I have located a fantastic article on the importance of the call.

The call is an often misunderstood and misused hunting necessity that can be the determining factor between success and an empty freezer. Take some time to check out the article below, originally posted by The North American Sportsman page. Also check out the other various informative articles they provide 🙂

The Rut & The Art Of Calling

During the first part of September, the rutting season begins. The rut generally starts about the time leaves turn color and may last from a month to six weeks. Both sexes become extremely active, travelling far more than at any other time of year. The bull shakes off his easy going ways and starts to roam outside his home territory. Instead of being a lethargic, detached creature, he is suddenly deranged by the urge to reproduce.

Prior to the rut the velvet is rubbed from their antlers, turning them into gleaming weapons. Once the rut has begun, this animal becomes stately and arrogant — with a very short temper. Anything, including hunters, that gets in his way is fair game.

A sexually active bull will travel far and wide in search of cows. Where normally he would quietly retire, he now becomes a beast with a mission; crashing through timber grunting challenges to all. He may fight, but it will invariably be with a bull of similar stature. A young bull often hangs around a more mature bull who has already collected a cow. He’ll keep his distance and will run off if seriously challenged. The transformation that takes place during the rut is a big help to hunters — it keeps bull’s on the move and lowers their usual guard.

evenly matched bulls, eye-to-eye Bull moose are content to stay with one cow at a time. Unlike breeding elk, which collect a harem, bull moose locate a receptive cow, stay with her a few days then move on. Bulls will service as many willing cows as they can find. By the end of the rut he is spent, thin, and bedraggled. He has fed very little in the last 4 to 6 weeks and now must start to diligently feed. Fat must be put on for the winter ahead.

Both sexes are excessively vocal during this cycle in their year. The sawing wail of the cow and the deep, croaking grunt of the bull indicate the seriousness of their intentions. What the hunter attempts to do is imitate these sounds.

During the rut, moose are often hunted by artificial calling. The most common form is comparable to bugling for elk. A horn constructed of birch bark, a commercial call or even something as simple as the cupped hands are generally used to imitate the bawling call of the cow or the grunt of a bull. Even a large plastic bottle (1 gallon or more) with the top cut off and a 3 foot long shoelace placed hanging through a small hole drilled in the bottom works well. The shoelace is wetted and slowly pulled through the fingers. With practice, this call has a reasonable resemblance to a cow’s rasping call. Whatever method you choose can be effective if done right.

two different types of moose calls Good areas for calling are just inside the edges of brush or timber around lake shores and from low, timbered areas leading toward meadows and bogs. Locate a wallow if you can. This is mud dug up by the front hoofs of a rutting bull to a depth of up to half-a-foot and can be several feet in diameter. The bull urinates in it, then wallows in the reeking mess. Sit hunched down in a concealed stand and grunt or bawl with the instrument you’re using. Wait a few minutes and try again. Try for an authentic sound that would be irresistible to any bull within hearing distance.

Another form of calling is to dump a hatful of water into a lake at late evening. At a slow dribble, this noise approximates the sound of a cow urinating — a noise that a rut-crazed bull cannot resist. On a calm day this sound will carry far. With this form of calling, the inexperienced “caller” is probably as accomplished as the veteran. We bring up this method of calling to point out that even unconventional calls can bring in an interested bull.

a calling bull Throughout moose range, calling works relatively well during the rut. To learn the proper sounds of rutting moose, invest in a commercial recording. Spend the time necessary to practice and perfect this “art” form. Few moose hunters are naturally adept at calling and if not done right, you may arouse suspicion rather than eagerness in a listening bull.

The majority of moose hunters are guided. If you fall in this category, it’s likely best to leave the calling to an experienced guide. Your guide will know the time, the probable places, and the circumstances under which calling will work. Done right, there is no bigger thrill than a love-sick bull charging in to your waiting rifle.

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Posted by Wawang Lake on September 27, 2013 in hunting, moose, Wawang Lake Resort

Tags: call, hunting, Moose, rut, Wawang Lake, Wawang Lake Resort, WMU 15A, WMU 15B

On Target: How to make your own arrows

17 Sep

While doing some of my own research, I came across a fantastic article for all of you archers out there that have wondered about manufacturing your own arrows.

This article is reproduced from Edersbows.com, take some time to check them out 🙂

Building your own arrows allows you to save about 5 to 1 0 dollars per dozen, but there’s an even better reason for building your own. You can experiment with all the components, with the various fletching styles and shaft sizes until you find the perfect arrow for your bow and your hunting or 3-D shooting requirements.

Building arrows is easy and fun, not to mention the satisfaction you’ll gain from taking game with arrows you’ve crafted yourself. Anyone can do it – and do it well. Armed with only a few basic tools and the information offered here, you’ll have no problem turning raw shafts into top-quality hunting arrows.

Nock Installation

Year’s ago nocks were all glued on, now most arrows offer pressure-fit nocks that fit snugly but are turnable. Tunable nocks are definitely the way to go. These systems will make tuning a lot easier, and they hold up to more hard shooting than will glue-on nocks.

Assuming you aren’t going to paint (crest) your arrows, nock installation is the first step in the arrow building process. Use hot melt glue or epoxy when installing bushings into aluminum. When installing them in (or over) carbon shafts, use a rubber-based epoxy such as that available from Beman or Arizona Archery Enterprises (AAE).

Regular glue-on nocks should be pressed firmly into place (without glue) until after the fletching has been attached. When the arrow is finished you can rotate the nocks to the proper orientation so the fletching clears your rest and then glue them in place. Bohning Fletch- Tite works fine for this.

Apply The Fletching

You need a fletching jig, but it doesn’t have to be fancy. I’ve had good luck with the $20 plastic Martin jig I bought more than 10 years ago. Other good ones are made by Bohning, Bitzenburger and Grayling. You have three clamp options: left helical, right helical and straight

(no helical). For hunting and 3-D shooting, right helical is the most popular choice. If you’ll be using feathers, make sure to order feathers from the same wing as the clamp (right helical takes right wing). Vanes are manufactured straight and can be used with any clamp, so you don’t have to specify left or right when ordering.

One of the best fletching adhesive I’ve used for vanes is Fast-Set Gel made by AAE. This is a super-glue product that sets up in only 10 seconds allowing you to use a single-clamp jig and still fletch a dozen arrows in mere minutes. Fast-Set Gel will work on all shaft styles except AFC’s film-dipped carbon arrows, which require a traditional cement such as Bohning’s Fletch-Tite. Of course, Fletch-Tite will also work on aluminum arrows but takes about 10 minutes per fletching to set-up before you can remove the clamp. Fletch-Tite is still the best choice for feather fletching, however.

Place your fletching in the clamp so that its back edge will be about 3/4 inch ahead of the nock taper or nock bushing on your arrow. Adjust the back of the magnet on your jig (the magnet holds the clamp in place while the glue dries) inward or outward until the tail of the fletching sits squarely on top of the arrow. Next, adjust the forward end of the magnet to achieve the desired amount of helical. Easton’s technical representatives recommend four to five degrees of helical. I use a bit more myself – probably closer to seven degrees – but this is only on large diameter aluminum arrows. On smaller diameter carbon arrows I stay closer to Easton’s standard.

When using a straight clamp, (as opposed to a helical clamp) you don’t have as much lee-way and must either install your fletching perfectly straight or with a very slight off-set.

After your fletching is installed, apply a small dab of adhesive to both ends of each for a little added insurance against tearing loose.

You have more freedom to experiment with your fletching style and degree of helical than with any other aspect of arrow building, but it’s still best to observe a few general ground-rules. When making aluminum arrows for hunting, stick with four to five inch fletching. Five inch is a bit better because (in theory at least) it offers a small amount of added stability which can make a difference when shooting broadheads.

Carbon arrows, because of their smaller diameter, work best with shorter fletching (four inch is a good starting point) or you can run into a contact problem when trying to pass long helical fletching through the narrow gap in your rest. You can also experiment with various fletching orientations, such as 70/110 degree four-fletch, (you make this change by inserting a different indexing template into your fletching jig). But the basic 120 degree, three-fletch will do just fine under almost every shooting situation.

Cutting Arrows To Length
Draw an arrow and have someone mark it about a half to 3/4 inch in front of the rest. Cutting arrows is easy with the right equipment, but with the wrong equipment it can be a real headache. For limited quantities of aluminum arrows you can get by with a small rotating pipe cutter. I’ve done it a few times, but I’ve also made some pretty rough cuts, and basically ruined some arrows, in the process. You’re far better off pooling your money with a couple of buddies and getting an electric cut-off tool. You can also take your arrows to a pro shop (that’s equipped with an electric cut-off tool) to have them sized – usually for a price.

Installing Inserts and Outserts
Inserts and outserts (outserts are used with some types of carbon arrows) shouldn’t be taken for granted. Consistent accuracy with broadheads can be difficult to achieve when these components fit loosely. Inserts and outserts should install without any free-play. Usually you don’t have too many options with outserts – you get what the arrow maker offers – but you do have options with inserts. I’ve had good luck with aluminum inserts from Easton and Saunders and composite inserts from AAE. Inserts should have a light press-fit with the inside of the shaft so that each broadhead you screw in will line up perfectly with the shaft.

Aluminum inserts used in aluminum or ACC carbon arrows should be installed with hot-melt glue. Composite inserts in aluminum work best with a rubber-based epoxy, and the same applies for aluminum into carbon (Beman ICS or Gold Tip Graphite XT arrows) or when installing metal outserts on conventional all-carbon shafts. When you’re finished you can install a broadhead and spin test your arrows to make sure the inserts are properly aligned.

Take some time to visit http://www.eders.com/ to view their catalogue of parts and equiptment to assist you in your build.

Armed with the information above, you could now have a weekend hobby 🙂

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Posted by Wawang Lake on September 17, 2013 in bow hunting, hunting equipment, Wawang Lake Resort

Tags: archery, arrows, equipment, hunting, Wawang Lake, Wawang Lake Resort

Bears down! The bear highway

11 Sep

So as promised, we figured we would share the details of both Dave and Tim’s hunts!

I cant go without saying that this year’s batch of hunters fortitude has been tested over and over. With weather that seems to be taunting them by cold raining one day and jumping to 80+ degrees and sunny the next, these guys have been putting in the hours and time after time have in most cases been rewarded.

On Saturday, Dave, Tim and Jason made the long drive up from Iowa to try their best to outsmart a couple bruin and get a day or two of fishing in. Optimism high and clouds beginning to hang low, the stands began to be assembled for the drive to the baits.

Each man had a different weapon but all agreed that failure was not an option. The first day was a shorter than normal sit of only 4 hours and all were thankful that it was a restful sit as they had a long drive before and had sat long enough 🙂

The men arrived back in camp late after a dark trip through the woods. Dave was ecstatic to let me know that his bait had proven effective and he had spotted an average sized bear that he had decided to pass on and Tim and Jason both had heard but not spotted activity.

The next day, the three went out, excitement and weapons in hand. The weather had cooled down and was determined to hold that mercury low for the day. The boys had layered and knew it would be a good, long, cool day. The day wore on for us here at the lodge as we completed one task after another waiting for the telltale early truck arrival signalling a downed bear. As we waited and watched, the clock ticked on. The sun had already set and the boys were already 30 minutes passed the expected arrival. We would give them 30 more minutes before setting out to ‘track’ our hunters. As the minutes dragged on, I had begun to assemble my gear, ready for the drive out with Terry.

At 11:20 pm, a set of headlights pulled through the trees and the truck slowed to a stop in front of my door. I emerged to a truck full of smiles, not only had Dave taken his boar of 368lb glory, but Tim had taken his as well!!

As we iced the bears down for the night, I had the chance to go over the hunt with both hunters, as a returning hunter to Wawang, Dave was so excited to tell me about all the bears he saw on ‘the bear highway’ today. He couldn’t help but beam when he told me about the sow and cubs that came for two visits that day as well as the mid sizer that came in between. He said that with all the action on the bait, it was very simple to decipher the size of his boar. He was clear that it had trumped everything else that had come for a visit and was so proud to share the pictures. “There were just bear everywhere I looked!” he repeated.

Natural bait stand

Smiles all around, Tim spoke up about his hunt and was proud of his harvest, though it wasn’t as big a bear as Dave’s, the tell white half chevron of white on the chest that made a winking emoticon made it very simple for me to dub this boy ‘Winky’ . Both had prime hides and will make for not only fantastic stories but beautiful mounts to be enjoyed for year after year.