Chestnut Creek Taxidermy

31/07/2023

This is the backside and front of Layla’s deer. A pain to sew up let me tell ya with all those points going every which way in the back.

31/07/2023

Layla Bryant 12 years old was so excited to get her buck back today! This is one of those once in a lifetime bucks. Congratulations Layla on your first wall hanger!

Back story - Layla and her dad were hunting together when she shot this deer. Unfortunately, they were not able to find it. Greg was hunting the same area later and walked up on it laying in the creek. The antlers had been bleached out a bit from the sun so I had to stain those to make them look better.

28/07/2023

Mrs. Tina Berry pictured with her first buck. Thank you for allowing us to bring him back to life.

25/07/2023

Wall pedestal finish work today. Almost ready to go home. 🙌

14/07/2023

This is one of my favorite forms (pose) for a deer. I just love the sharp turn.

11/07/2023

On his way home. ❤️

09/07/2023

It’s been a minute getting this one done but I’m thrilled Kylie was finally able to take him home.

27/08/2022

I have have been working to get the fellas out the door. Thank you for your patience and continued patience. This one belongs to Keith Turner.

04/12/2021

Not sure I could ever be a vegetarian. 🥩🥓🍗Thankful we are on the same page with this one. Can I get an amen?!

24/10/2021

So after much consideration, going back and forth, we have decided to not take in anything new this year. I have started a full time job and I just do not have the time I used to have to dedicate to taxidermy. I’m still working on lasts years mounts and I hate to turn away the work but in order for me to keep my sanity, knowing I don’t have all the things waiting for me to do, it’s necessary for this year.

Those of you that are still waiting on your mount from last year: They are still in the works. I have been in contact with my tanner, and he too, was slammed last year and is behind. I appreciate those that would like me to mount their harvest, and again I’m sad to have to turn you away. I wish everyone much luck this year and I’m thankful for you all that will still consider Chestnut Creek as your taxidermist in the future.

12/09/2021

Look at the color on these antlers!

29/07/2021

Wall pedestal mount for Wes Rorrer. Thanks so much Wes!

25/07/2021

Who do you think would win this fight?!?

Coyote/bobcat mount went home with Gene Didlake. ❤️ A lot of hours went into it, but in the end it was so much fun to do. Custom base made by Greg from old barnwood and old metal barn tin. It is set on casters for ease of moving.

04/06/2021

Y’all this deer had the prettiest cape. Double throat patch and super short hair. Love those early season hides. Alana Young was the lucky hunter to harvest such a beautiful buck! Filling up those walls girl. Congrats!

01/06/2021

Greg’s elk. Hope you all have enjoyed your weekend. ❤️

28/05/2021

Greg’s elk is bugling ITS FRIDAY! Yay for a long weekend. 🎉 Greg was able to snap better pics than me of the full elk so youll have to wait until I get those from him. 🤷🏼‍♀️
🇺🇸We hope you all have a safe Memorial Day weekend. 🇺🇸

27/05/2021

So excited about this! Laser engraved faux leather on the back of Greg’s Montana elk bow kill. We wanted something different and I think it has been achieved! Loving how it turned out. What’s your thoughts?!?

20/05/2021

Kimmy Sullivan picked her bow kill up today! Thanks so much for trusting us to mount your deer.

19/05/2021

Just saying. Ya better watch out for those ticks! 😂

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17/05/2021

Logan Peters pictured with his buck he got to take home the other week. Ashton, his brother had been after this buck but things worked out for Logan to harvest it. Love, love, love the early season capes! Congrats again Logan!

15/05/2021

Kitty cat

07/05/2021

Out the door. Split brow, funky main beam and some weird coloring on his face.

28/03/2021

AJ Berry got to take home his buck the other day. Once again, thank you so much and congrats on a such a great deer!

24/03/2021

This one left yesterday. Going home to Florida. 🌞

**This is kind of a long post but please take the time to read it. **
I had to use another cape on this deer. The hair was slipping around the eyes when I was trying to cape the original. It had a not so good smell to it too. I was going to try and save the original until the skin/hair around the eyes was coming off just by touching it.
With that being said......
Proper handling/field care after harvest is VERY important. This deer was taken to a processor and left to hang in a cooler for too long. (Due to busyness I’m guessing). After it finally was caped, the head and cape was put back in the cooler (not a freezer) until my customer was able to pick it up. What I try to explain to people is to imagine putting a piece of raw chicken in the fridge. Leave it for over a week open the door and tell me whatcha got! 🤢 🤢 This is the same for a hide. We were able to use a cape from a bow kill that Greg harvested a few years back. This has to be one of the prettiest capes that I have mounted up. Why do I say?

#1 Well to be honest, early season deer have prettier capes in my opinion anyways. The hair is shorter. It’s not all torn up from the rut/fighting. With that being said I know not everyone’s harvest will be an early season kill. Sometimes it is what it is.
#2 Proper field care/skinning. It was immediately caped and put in the freezer without any extra shot holes or skinning holes.
#3 We did our best on the drag out not to lose any hair. Don’t drag by the back legs. It sure is handy if you can get a helper especially if you know it’s going to be mounted.

**We know everyone’s situation is different and not always ideal . Please do your best with the above to help ensure the best quality mount.
I mounted one up today that had just as pretty cape as this one pictured because of the above. The fella brought the deer by right after harvest and we caped it for him. He wasn’t exactly sure where or how to cut for a shoulder mount. We don’t mind doing this (for an extra charge). I would rather get what we need before you take it to a processor due to the short capes, rotten capes we have received in the last couple of years. There is no excuse for leaving a deer hide in the fridge/cooler for 14 days.
**If you do this own your own PLEASE take your time skinning especially in the pit area. Field care is so important. This will ultimately help in being able to produce a great mount. ❤️

04/03/2021

Sewing. Not one of my favorite things to do. Whether you like sewing or not you gotta make them look like there was never an incision. ❤️
Just finished sewing this fella a few minutes ago.

28/02/2021

This trio went home today. Montana mullies. These were harvested by the Kenyon family. James Kenyon wife Karen and son Caleb. How fun to share in family hunts. I hope these mounts fit right in with the 74 others you have!! 😱 Thank you so much and congrats!

25/02/2021

Happy. Happy that rack is starting to thin out. I am so thankful that I gave myself a cut off for last year. I feel some weight lifted for sure knowing that I can get all the remaining done before next season!! 🤞🏻 I have a couple left from 2019 which I will be more than thrilled when those go home. Getting one mounted up today. The end is in sight. Thanks for those of you that have given me a bit of grace getting your mounts to you. ❤️

24/02/2021

Scottie Manning picked his bear up today. We really enjoyed taking a break from the norm. to get this guy put together. Thank you so much Scottie for asking us to mount your bear.

21/02/2021

Matt Hubbard was happy to pick up his buck & beaver hide today! So fun to see old school friends. Thanks so much Matt it was great to see ya.

10/02/2021

This one went home the other day. It had some neat character on the left side main beam. Ray Novak buck.

30/01/2021

Another out the door! This fella belongs to Damon Gettier.

22/01/2021

Just mounted up. Now to dry.

16/01/2021

This cat went home today. Limb was provided by customer.

18/12/2020

Devin Poff got to take his buck home yesterday. First shoulder mount. I really like the offset mounts. Enjoy!

23/11/2020

Ok boys and girls I have taken in my limit for the season. It’s hard to make that decision with the season still going strong but I have to give myself some grace. I don’t want to have mounts for years. I want to be able to get everyone’s mount back in a timely manner and I just cannot take anymore in this year. 😩 I wish everyone the best of luck the remaining season. Again, I’m sorry..... but this is best.

13/11/2020

Whelp this fella finally went home! Matt Thurman harvested this piebald in Amherst. This form had to be cut into 50 different pieces to fit this deer. 😳 Several rods, bondo, foam, we got it back together and mounted up. Thanks Matt.

07/11/2020

Jackson Burnette took home his 1st wall hanger. So glad that Matthew Burnette is keeping the love of hunting going. Congratulations Jackson! Such a sweet young man. ❤️

29/10/2020

26/09/2020

Happy youth day everyone!

I just wanted to update and say ....

The amount of deer that we take in this year will be limited. Since I have started homeschooling our kiddos this is taking a good portion of my time and I feel they are and their education is a top priority. So if you do harvest a deer and would like Chestnut Creek to do your taxidermy work please do not wait. When I decide on a cut off.....that’s it. I hope everyone has a safe and successful hunting season. Thanks so much!