SME "Taxidermy".

[DaveS]

I seen on another thread here where someone was wanting to know who the "Subject Matter Experts" were.

Please allow me to Introduce my self:

I am Dave Sayre, "WD-40" on this forum.

In 1971, my Junior year in high school, I went to work for a Taxidermist working after school and on the weekends. I was his apprentice kinda speaking.

In 1974, during Vietnam, I went in the Army, as an MP. I worked in several locals as a "Rear Area" MP (Game Warden) for roughly 13 years. Never went to "Nam" though. I kept up with Taxidermy when I could. In 1987 I got out of the Army and went to Austin Peay State University and majored in History and a second in Art. I wanted to be a school teacher. As a bet with a friend, I applied for a Firefighter job at Fort Campbell Kentucky. Lord and Behold, I got hired. Never in my life ever dreamed of being a Firefighter.

With my work schedule being 24/24, I decided to open a Taxidermy shop in 1989 (Wilderness Taxidermy), in Clarksville, TN. I ran my shop, and continued to enter some of my mounts is shows in the southeastern part of the US until 2009, when I retired from Taxidermy.

On July 1st, 2010, I retired as a Firefighter/EMT. A job that I miss every single day.

I have many, many years of experience in mounting small animals, reptiles, big game, pigs, deer, bears, and the list goes on and on.

I don't claim to know everything, but my work speaks for itself.

I have done mounts and shipped to clients in many states. Most were my military customers here that went home and reccomended me to friends and family. A reputation I still enjoy today.

After many successful years, I closed my shop to be able to spend more time with family and to do some hunting of my own. I continue to do competition mounts every now and then.

Currently, I still do some mounts (I love mounting pigs, keep it clean...lol) and I really enjoy sharing my wealth of knowledge here on TGO. I work on Fort Campbell part time and I work on a couple of local Wildlife Refuges (I do not wish at this time to disclose what I do).

As an SME (Taxidermy), I feel that I am more than qualified to keep the TGO readers informed on Taxidermy. I will help anyone of you, advise you, teach you ect., ect..

The only thing I WILL NOT do, is reccomend a Taxidermist to you.

Happy Hunting!

Dave

Edited December 12, 2011 by wd-40

[MacGyver]

Thanks, Dave. We really benefit from your experience on here!

[Westwindmike]

Good write up Dave. Thanks for what you do here in the hunting section.

[ShaunM]

You sure have helped me out on the whole taxidermy.

[my82cam]

Pictures of mounts or it didn't happen! lol great to have people on here who have so much experience

[DaveS]

I'll scan some mounts and get them put on here in a day or two. Been working nights this week, but I'll try to get some up.

[Guest adamoxtwo]

Listening to folks is one thing, but I have seen first hand the work the WD has done and I am here to tell everything I have laid eyes on was first class work. This is a man who truly loves what he does. Any advise given should be taken seriously.

[DaveS]

Thank you for the compliments Sir...

[DaveS]

A hog I mounted a couple years ago. Taken with bow at a local Refuge.

[DaveS]

I mounted this Albino Sow this year...

[DaveS]

A 10 pointer....

[DaveS]

12 pointer, taken last year by my 14 year old Daughter off our private property...

[DaveS]

Mr. Gnarly D. Hawg. Taken last year with bow. Done with a full body mount. Mr. Hawg is now on a permenant base in my living room, and greets folks with a Snarle as they enter my house....

[DaveS]

Yoye pedistal mount.

Yote Tanned Pelt

[my82cam]

that is some awesome work! thank you for the pictures

[whiskey]

Mr. Gnarly D. Hawg. Taken last year with bow. Done with a full body mount. Mr. Hawg is now on a permenant base in my living room, and greets folks with a Snarle as they enter my house....

This really is an amazing self-portrait...

If you miss the pig snarling at you, just keep going and you will find WD snarling at you.

[DaveS]

This really is an amazing self-portrait...

If you miss the pig snarling at you, just keep going and you will find WD snarling at you.

Dang Brother....You know me better than I thought! Only snarle whenever I think of those "burgers" you cooked at JG's house!

[Guest sneak]

Very nice work! Just curious, did the albino sow have pink eyes?