Breakthrough Magazine Learn Taxidermy Magazine Trade Journal

07/16/2025

The first time I knew this creature existed was when my friend Edward Pretorius mounted and competed with one at the 2004 Taxidermists Association of South Africa (TASA) convention. I can never forget!

07/08/2025

BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE 157, Spring 2025
On the Cover: Terry Weick
This beautiful pair of peacocks from the Interpretive Division of the 2024 World Taxidermy Championships® by Terry Weick of Michigan captured our selection for this issue’s cover. Terry is internationally known for his fish taxidermy, but is very diversified in other areas of taxidermy and possesses a special talent for creativity. This issue features the entries of the Interpretive Division with 19 creative entries featured in our Gallery of Wildlife Art and a second feature on the Interpretive Division, beginning on page 14 of this issue. Kudos go out to each entry of this awesome division that brings in dynamic taxidermy art with their imaginative taxidermy work. This big bird cover selection also reminder for us of a very informative article from Issue 35 in 1994 on mounting a large fowl by Ron Schaefer. You will see this article redesigned from this sold-out issue on page 22.

07/08/2025

07/08/2025

BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE 157, Spring 2025
INTERPRETIVE DIVISION WINNERS
2024 World Taxidermy Championships®
May 6–10, 2024 • Coralville, Iowa

1st Place Interpretive Division
David Selenke • Viola, Kansas • CHICKEN
$1,000 from the Wildlife Gallery

2nd Place Interpretive Division
Scott Brassfield and Scott Roscoe • Wentzville, Missouri (2) KUDUS
$300 from the Wildlife Gallery

3rd Place Interpretive Division
Rodney Schreurs • Cedar Grove, Wisconsin • OPOSSUM
$200 from The Wildlife Gallery

Interpretive Division: 3rd Place Mammals
Troy Hall • Cheyenne, Wyoming • MULE

Interpretive Division: 2nd Place Birds
Alessandra Dzuba • Kansas City, Missouri • SOCIETY FINCH

Interpretive Division: 3rd Place Birds
Christopher Clough • Marshalltown, Iowa • BALD EAGLE

Interpretive Division: 1st Place Mixed/misc
The Wildlife Gallery, Frank Newmyer, Jeff Whitburn • Gladwin, Michigan • AFRICAN LION HEAD RECREATION

Interpretive Division: 1st Place Fish
Travis Nitcher • North Liberty, Iowa • BROWN TROUT

Interpretive Division: 1st Place Misc/Mixed
Jeremy Miracle • Clarksville, Tennessee • BLACK BEARS+CROWS

To subscribe or renew, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call us at (985) 345-7266.

07/08/2025

BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE 157, Spring 2025
INTERPRETIVE DIVISION, pictured are all entries
2024 World Taxidermy Championships®
May 6–10, 2025 • Coralville, Iowa

Interpretive Division: Mammals
* Kudu Scott Roscoe–Wentzville, MO 1st
* Oppossum Rodney Schreurs–Cedar Grove, WI 2nd
* Mule Troy Hall–Cheyenne, WY 3rd
Bighorn Sheep Troy Hall Cheyenne, WY
Coyote Michael Meyer–Gooselake, IA
Elk Jack Purcell–Roberts, MT

Interpretive Division: Birds
* Chicken David Selenke–Viola, KS 1st
* Society Finch Alessandra Dzuba–Kansas City, MO 2nd
* Bald Eagle Christopher Clough–Marshalltown, IA 3rd
Green-winged Teal Alyssa Godwin–El Campo, TX
Peacocks Terry Weick–Hopkins, MI
Turkey Wing & Head w/ Beard Wilbur Yoder–Arthur, IL
Mallard Wesley Becker–Mount Hope, KS
Turkey Sam Gaylord/Larissa Eastman–Ft. Madison, IL
Farm Duckling Wesley Becker–Mount Hope, KS
Black Grouse Lennart Pettersson–Balinge, Sweden

Interpretive Division: Fish
* Brown Trout Travis Nitcher–North Liberty, IA 1st
Interpretive Division: Miscellaneous/Mixed

* African Lion Head Newmyer,Whitburn–Gladwin, MI 1st
* Black Bears/Crows Jeremy Miracle–Clarksville, TN 2nd
* Pictured in this issue’s Gallery, pages 2-8
To subscribe or renew, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call us at (985) 345-7266.

07/08/2025

BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE 157, Spring 2025
RENDEZVOUS WITH A RHEA, by Ron Schaefer
I love to mount birds, and even though I have an extensive background mounting them, I sure had my hands full when I was approached to mount a rhea. Because I was unfamiliar with the shape of a rhea’s body, many thoughts went through my mind on how to re-create the body for this large bird. Options considered were making a quick mold out of plaster from the carcass, or heating a bowl of hot-melt glue sticks and pouring a two-part mold. Even making a fiberglass mold popped into my mind, but due to the short time I had to skin this bird, I was unable to use any of these choices. I shied away from a wrapped body due to the weight factor. Consideration of the weight was very important, since it is difficult mounting turkeys and similar big birds with heavy legs and wild wings.
To subscribe or renew, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call us at (985) 345-7266.

07/08/2025

BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE 157, Spring 2025
PART 1: MOLDING AND CASTING BISON HORNS, by Erich Carter
Before I begin my first article in Breakthrough I would liked to thank Larry and Kathy Blomquist who have given me the opportunity to share my knowledge with their readers. Having been in the taxidermy industry for over 40 years, I think my experience will help other wildlife artists avoid the many mistakes I’ve made along the way. For this two-part article, I will demonstrate how I build what I call a waste mold for a set of American bison horns. For me, I basically build two types of molds: one I call a waste mold and the other I call a high production mold. A waste mold will put out 1 to 3 copies of your original part, while a high production mold will put out up to 100 parts of your original copy. My motto for building molds is “why build a Ferrari when a Volkswagen will do,” as long as the cast part is of the same quality. Also, the cost of a waste mold is far less expensive than that of a high production mold; timewise it’s a little bit faster.
To subscribe or renew, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call us at (985) 345-7266.

07/08/2025

BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE 157, Spring 2025
LIFESIZE MAMMAL PHOTO REFERENCE STUDY
FIGHTING WHITETAIL DEER, by Larry Blomquist
I don’t think we could ever do too much reference on whitetail deer. Over the last few years I’ve collected some beautiful reference of fighting whitetails and I have thousands of stills I have taken. I am a avid whitetail hunter and I’ve only witnessed maybe a half dozen good whitetail fights for dominance, not sparring situations, as we will often see with younger whitetails, but intense fights of older bucks.
To subscribe or renew, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call us at (985) 345-7266.

07/08/2025

BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE 157, Spring 2025
AVES: A FAMILY AFFAIR, by Erin Brummel Gerlach
Wisconsin travelers may have noticed something big has been going on for months now on the old “Taxidermy & Cheese” landmark business property on Highway 35 South between Hudson and River Falls, Wisconsin. It’s true – the local people have known this business as the Aves (pronounced AY-vees) Taxidermy and Cheese for the past 40 years, offering “Top Quality Taxidermy Services,” “World-Champion Cheddar,” “Christmas Trees,” “Maple Syrup” and “Honey.” But how would a place like this be expanding to a size we are seeing now? That huge Aves wing logo is known worldwide as a leader in the self-hardening clay market, and it’s been located here the entire time in the same building.
To subscribe or renew, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call us at (985) 345-7266.

07/08/2025

BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE 157, Spring 2025
YOUR NEW 2025 Taxidermy Hall of Fame Inductees, by Larry Blomquist
The 4 new inductees selected by committee vote for 2025 are:
CONTEMPORARY
Dennis Behn
Ralph and Sandy Garland
HISTORICAL
Louis Dufresne
Martha Maxwell

Every two years we receive new nominations for the THOF induction year, which are odd number years. Nominations were accepted during 2024 and up until February 28, 2025, when we received 11 new nominations during that period (8 contemporary and 3 historical). These new nominees were voted on by a 20-member Selection Committee for approval. In May all 11 new nominees were approved with a required 70 percent yes approval vote. We also had 4 past approved nominees that were carried forward from previous induction years for a total of 15 nomination to be considered in 2025.
To subscribe or renew, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call us at (985) 345-7266.

07/08/2025

BREAKTHROUGH ISSUE 157, Spring 2025
THE TRIAD OF BUSINESS, by James Newport
This article will focus on the three facets of taxidermy that must be addressed to become successful. Any weakness within the ring of three qualities must be compensated accordingly by the other two qualities. This triad of strengths must be balanced and counterbalanced to afford success. For this article, when we use the word “success” we are referring to financial success in your business. It is defined as a profit margin that allows the support of the family household. The three facets are quality of your product, marketability, and work ethic. Allow me to help define and quantitate each of these three categories and then regroup to discuss the combination. You will notice that some facets will be reflected within all groups.
To subscribe or renew, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call us at (985) 345-7266.