‘Bringing the dead back to life’

MACON ¬ It’s rare for an outdoorsman to observe a fox out on a limb chasing a dragon fly, a young bobcat harassing a crow, or another bobcat avoiding a striking canebrake; much less to see it all within an hour.

However, that’s what happened this past weekend for those attending the Georgia Taxidermy Association’s (GTA) show in Macon.

The association’s bylaws state the organization’s purpose is “To promote the highest standards in the art of taxidermy. Provide an understanding and appreciation of the art of taxidermy by the general public,” as well as keeping GTA members advised on existing and proposed laws concerning the art of taxidermy.

“The majority of people out there don’t consider taxidermy a profession,” Tim Knight, a lifetime and hall of fame member of GTA, said. “I consider it to be wildlife art and a profession. But they still look at it as a hobby, even though I’ve made a living doing it as a full-time business for 37 years.”

A series of workshops presented by master taxidermists at this year’s conference focused on the finer points of mounting white-tailed deer, alligators, fox squirrels, turkey and painting largemouth bass replicas. Watching the masters at these workshops bring the dead back to life left no doubt that they truly are artists. The mounts they create aren’t merely preserved skin stretched over an inanimate form.

The eyes of shoulder-mounted deer follow you as you cross a room. Fish appear to hide under lily pads, and wild boar cross a swampy diorama. The artists creating these mounts have obviously spent countless hours observing them in the wild, whether it’s with a camera or firearm. The nuances of pose, the ruffle of feathers, bristling hair or the cup of a wing could only come from this form of observation.

“I remember when I started messing around with it in the mid 1970s, it was a ‘hush-hush’ trade,” Knight said. “You couldn’t go into a taxidermy shop and watch the taxidermist work. That was considered taboo.”

This year’s conference and show are proof that these old taboos no longer exist. Membership in the GTA is open to anyone, whether they are amateurs, professionals or merely interested in wildlife and the art associated with it.

The competition included a wide array of mounts ranging from whitetail shoulder mounts, standing boar and bobcat, to dioramas comprising multiple species interacting within a meticulously detailed habitat. The level of artistry on exhibit could only be judged by other artists, and GTA brought their three judges in from across the country to determine the best of the best in this year’s exhibition hall to judge the work by the more than 130 amateur and professional members entered in the competition.

One member competing this year was Seth French from Ochlocknee.

“I started into taxidermy because I have a real strong passion to mount turkeys; it’s all I’ve ever done,” French said.

The results of his passion are making a lot of long-time taxidermists take notice.

Ironically, they’ve had only three years to do so. During his first year as a taxidermist, French’s decision to compete in the Grand National Taxidermy Competition was the start of an amazing run. In that 2022 show, he won Professional Division Best of Show. In 2023, his legacy grew as he won the Masters Division Best of Show and Best Standing Turkey.

This continued improvement led to his being crowned as 2024 Wild Turkey Master of Masters, the highest honor awarded at the National Wild Turkey Federation competition.

At this year’s GTA conference, French presented a seminar on mounting wild turkey, and more than half of those attending morning seminars were watching his. This year, his entry won the Artisan Award, Champions Choice, the Woody Award, and State Champion Turkey.

French works his magic at Deep South Strutters Taxidermy, where he still works only with turkeys. French acknowledges that he has been fortunate to have some good people and mentors helping him along the way.

“I can’t remember when I joined, but it was very early on in my attempt to learn,” he said.

While talking to other taxidermists at the conference about GTA, many credited the association and its members with their advancement in their artistic endeavors.

So budding taxidermists who are itching to see if they have the artist inside to bring the dead back to life may want to join the GTA. For more information, contact GTA Secretary Christie Yawn at (229) 860-0810.