Gery Vaughan & Hunter's Haven Taxidermy

Experience

Hunter's Haven Taxidermy began as a hobby in 1976 when I took an interest in preserving my outdoor experiences in the form of creative taxidermy art. As the years passed, friends and family desired to have my growing experience turn their prized trophy into a cherished visual memory. A hobby turned into a sideline job, and in 1983, I became licensed. In 1997, the opportunity came to experience what I had desired for the previous fourteen years: to take taxidermy to the next level as a full time career and become a professional in my field.

Wild Game Artist

Not all artists are created equal. This is true no matter what field of work you are in. Taxidermy is no exception. Extensive knowledge of the animals and their habitat are necessary in order to correctly recreate their natural poses and surroundings. I have obtained this knowledge through many years of studying wild game and fish in the field, as well as in the many resources of printed material available today. All of this combined with customer critique keeps me reaching for a higher level of perfection. I invite potential customers to compare the quality of my mounts to others in the taxidermy field. This is easily done today through the viewing of web sites. Quality should always be considered before price. However, here at Hunter's Haven, I am committed to offering quality mounts at affordable prices!

Customer Satisfaction

Success for me is based on customer satisfaction, and customer satisfaction is evident by the continued repeat business that returns year after year. I treat every mount as if I were mounting it for myself. My motto has always been that, if I’m pleased with the mount, I know the customer will be pleased, too. Customer referrals and testimonials also provide a solid foundation for a successful business.

Field Care of Wild Game for Mounting

Large & Small Game

Heat is a specimen's worst enemy in that it causes bacteria to speed up the process of deterioration. While in the field wild game needs to be cooled as soon as possible. DO NOT place specimens in a bag while they are still warm from body heat unless they are going directly into the freezer.
 
 Large game needs to be skinned and cleaned and kept out of the sun. Then place skins in a plastic garbage bag and freeze. If this is not an option for you call immediately to make an appointment for drop off at the taxidermy shop.
 
 Small game such as foxes and bobcats can be frozen in trash bags. Squirrel sized mammals can be placed in zip-loc bags

Fish.

Fish have several options. Most scaled freshwater fish can be skin mounted This includes bass, bream, crappie and stripers. Fish such as catfish and  trout will be reproduced in fiberglass. DO NOT wrap fish in newspaper as the paper draws the moisture out of the fish causing freezer burn.

 Saltwater fish are almost always fiberglass reproductions due to the high level of oil found in their skin. The exceptions would be stripers and small drum. A reproduction will always give you a more durable mount whether fresh or saltwater that will last a lifetime. 

Fiberglass reproductions are measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail for length and around the largest part of the belly for girth. *This is important because if you give the fork length you will receive a shorter fish than what you have in hand.

 We offer a refurbish service for fish mounts whether skin or fiberglass to give them new life.  

Birds

Birds can be placed in pantyhose for feather protection but should also be wrapped inside a plastic bag to seal in moisture.