Ocker's Taxidermy

23/12/2024

As we enter Christmas week, I wanted to share a really unique and one of a kind project that left the shop. If you know me you know I love these challenges and ideas that become one of a kind treasures.

The backstory is that the client’s father passed away several years ago, a short time after shooting this buck. Not only an outdoorsman but he was best known for his role as Santa. Being a truly authentic Santa for most of his adult life, the client wanted to honor his fathers last buck in a special way. So he asked for a Pack Mount in Santa’s bag to be done in his memory that would incorporate his buck and his Santa legacy. Thought it was a perfect mount to share at Christmas.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and happy holiday season!

21/12/2024

Looking for 2 items

1) a large chest freezer no less than 18 cuft. It does not have to be working. In fact I’m not using it as a freezer so looking for something that’s old that someone’s trying to get rid of or that is not working… but it does need to have a lid.

2) 15 to 20 square kitty litter buckets - any color - no lids needed.

if you have any of those items that you are looking to dispose of, I would be happy to take them off your hands.

You can reply, DM or text me 717-554-6433

16/12/2024

I receive calls frequently about European skull mounts. During this conversation, some potential clients question why my whitetail skulls take a minimum of 2-4 months to complete while someone else only takes 2-4 days. It’s all about the process. In my opinion, to do a Euro mount correctly, it actually takes patience and time.

I use the process of maceration. Maceration uses low heat and lots of time. The first step allows all the “meat” etc to come off the bone. This step usually takes about 7-10 days.
Step two is crucial, it is the degreasing and the most time consuming. Using low heat and ammonia, grease is released from the bone. Bones are very greasy, especially cows and bear. Degreasing can take anywhere from 5-8 weeks for even a whitetail skull. A cow can take up to 7 months to degrease completely. If this process is not done correctly, you might have a beautiful skull now but over time your skull will begin to yellow. The yellowing is grease still embedded in the bone and it begins to bleed through. The third step is whitening. The whitening is done with a peroxide mixture that takes 3-4 days. No paint is ever used and your skull will come out beautifully and naturally white.

No doubt there are other methods for skulls .

Some people, boil/simmer a skull while others use beetles. The boiling method is fast (high heat for several hours) but this method compromises the bone structure and causes the bone to become brittle. While, beetles do an amazing job cleaning the skull cavity, just make sure that they also include a long degreasing portion in their process, some do not do this step.

No matter who you choose to take care of your trophy harvest, take the time and ask about their methods and how long it will be. Euro mounts are entitled to the same high quality procedures as the investment that is put into an any other more expensive mount. I can not always say that I used maceration in the beginning of my business, but I can honestly say now, thatI do all skulls in this way, they are by far the best quality, cleanest skulls and most beautiful way to preserve your trophy.

02/12/2024

Life in the shop has been busy with new incoming 2024 trophies, so I haven’t posted as frequently as normal, but here is another 2023 buck picked up a few weeks ago.

Love the double white patch...

30/11/2024

While managing several calls for business and attempting to stay warm … I still found some time to hunt…

Blessed to harvest this nice buck this morning. 🦌

28/11/2024

So much to be thankful for… wishing families, clients and those I have yet to meet a wonderful Thanksgiving 🦃

21/11/2024

A few client projects that have left the shop over the past several weeks.

Custom Turkey Fan Panel Display
Jacob’s Ram shoUlder mount
Piebald soft tan

Love the variety that taxidermy presents

10/11/2024

Quite a beauty!

06/11/2024

One of my favorite mounts … a coyote pedestal. Love a beautiful yote face!

As a side note…Client wanted to make his own habitat so it was finished on plywood for transportation.

04/11/2024

Tis the season for predators… here is sneak peek of a recent project that I will post tomorrow

01/11/2024

Another whitetail beauty goes home! This shoulder mount has added habitat.

I am coming to the end of the 2023 whitetail. Less than a handful remain!

29/10/2024

✅ Mule Deer Shoulder Mount

Great project… thank you to my client for giving me the opportunity to bring this antler rack back to life.

25/10/2024

PA buck picked up and in it’s forever home.

Thank you for the opportunity to capture your trophy!

24/10/2024

Soft Flat Cow Hide left the shop yesterday
After prepping the hide; I went ahead and fleshed and salted the hide at the shop then it was sent out to the tannery.

Really pleased how well it turned out…the colors are so vibrant. CHECK OUT THE 2nd picture of what the hide looked like when it first arrived..NO FILTERS

22/10/2024

NEW HATS are HERE!
New colors and others available upon request
All Richardson 112 trucker hats.
$25

Wax cloth hats arriving soon $27

Women’s Imperial hat available in ponytail back ( pic below in navy) $30

Carolina Blue/white
Maroon/white
Navy/khaki
Black/gray
Heather gray/black
Charcoal gray/white
Carmel/black
Bark Duck camo/brown

22/10/2024

Several weeks ago this Kentucky beast left the shop! What a beauty!!

15/10/2024

15/10/2024

Another great 2023 buck out the door. The cape had a huge hole but client wanted to save the cape and make it work and that’s happened!

As an FYI…I am almost done with all 2023 deer dropped off before the start of January 2024… trying hard to keep it under a year as a solo taxidermist. I always appreciate your patience and understanding on client projects and the time it takes to produce quality work.



Josh Reese