rossislider

It has been a while now since I posted an update about Draysen’s growing taxidermy business. Every now and then someone asks me how he is doing and if he still going. Yes he is!!! He has been really busy. We don’t post more on here because we don’t want to disrespect the site owner and site sponsors. But much of his success is owed to CWT members who did a lot to help him get started, so I wanted to keep you updated. Several of you donated equipment, supplies, coaching, and most of all, trusted him to work on your trophies. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!!! It has now been a little over a year since my son (he was 12 at the time) came up with the crazy idea to become a licensed taxidermist doing Euro mounts. It came with a big learning curve and lots of lesson learned, but I think he and I would both agree that it has been a very successful “little” business for him. We estimate that he has cleaned well over 200 skulls over the past year, including just about every species of game Arizona has to offer. As of this past weekend, things FINALLY seem to be slowing down for the first time since early September. It has been a great learning experience about business, responsibility, budgeting, integrity, etc. For me it has personally been exhausting as I have spent many evenings and weekends helping and coaching him along the way. I like to joke with him that I had a 20+ hour per week part time job that I wasn’t getting paid for. But he has continued to learn and grow to where now he is pretty much 100% self sufficient doing it all on his own, and only comes to dad for occasional help, questions, or when the work gets so busy that he needs an extra hand to stay above water. One of our favorite things to do is help out other hunters with questions who are learning to do their own. So if he or I can ever help you out with any tips or advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. I’ll post a bunch of our favorite pictures below. If you would like to see more, you are welcome check out or follow his Facebook or Instagram pages: Facebook – Great Hunter Skullz Instagram -gr8hunterskullz

What establishment was this?

Sorry I didn't catch this sooner. I drive by there every day and work by the airport.

As I recall Sean, there wasn't any leftover tags for where I like to hunt, unit 29. Never saw zero leftovers before. Were there leftovers in other units? Yes, there were in a handful of units. But the number continues to drop each year.

We will be getting some XXLs, especially for the guy that donated his javelina for Draysen's first ever skull to practiced on.

Decoy is spoken for.

We use to rent them, but for the most part have found Airbnb makes things a lot easier.

Forgot about this thread. Here is what I ended up with: Exactly 71 grains or Retumbo out of Hornady brass with Federal Match large magnum primers and 168 grain Berger VLDs. Set to magazine length. I am getting an average speed 2799 fps and shooting just under 1/2 MOA. It has been a great and accurate load for me. I had a 1 shot kill with it on my mule deer 2.5 years ago at 550 yards.

That sounds like to tough one to find. Might have to wait till the fall season. Good luck, you do great work and I can't wait to see it.

Beautiful work! Nice job!!!

I have found that the type of offers I get in here tend to correlate with the wording of my ads. When I have expressed in my ad that the price is "firm" I don't get low-ball offers. If I state OBO, than I should expect to get some pretty low ones. I never blame a guy for trying to get the best deal possible if he seems legit, genuine, and respectful. All rules go out the door with Backpage and Craigslist. People on there are jerks. I will usually offer something on here for a little cheaper than I offer on those other sites just for not having to deal with the large quantity of idiots.

Years ago I was driving up through the White Mountains and noticed a car stopped well up ahead of me off to the side of the highway late at night. By the time I was up there the car had moved on, but off to the side of the road was a cow elk. She had been hit, was smashed up pretty bad. She was struggling to get up, but it was clearly not going to happen. I put her down with my side arm and called it in to Game and Fish. They warned me and told me I should not have shot her and could be in trouble in the future. Knowing the answer would likely be no, I requested permission to salvage her and was denied. They said someone would come and pick her up very shortly. Several days later on my way back to the valley I drove past her rotting corpse in the same spot I left her, very visible from the road. I was pretty angry about the waste. Given the chance to do it all over again, I would still put her down to end the suffering. Who knows how long she might have been that way since no one came out from Game and Fish to take care of her. If AZGFD wants to go to the trouble to try to find me and track me down to cite me, than I guess I would be willing to deal with those consequences and that battle to do what I perceive is the right thing to do.

Awesome! I'll be sure to watch it today after work.

I'd agree with MogollonMan. That Ruger Predator is pretty much untouchable at that price point.

He just finished up this last batch and it is ready to go. If you haven't heard from him yet, you will by the end of the day.

Love that photo. It's strange sometimes how they just won't leave a fallen buddy. Same thing here, check out this video. They scattered and then came right back to lay with the one that was shot. Fortunately for us, it made it a lot easier to fill the second tag.

Very nice! You are a taxidermist?

Yes, currently they are $10 each. He is low on supply (I think mostly mediums and large left). He needs to reorder. Price will stay the same as long us the printer doesn't raise prices.do you ship? and how can I order??He hasn't shipped them out before. We would need to check into shipping costs. Where are you located?

Yes, currently they are $10 each. He is low on supply (I think mostly mediums and large left). He needs to reorder. Price will stay the same as long us the printer doesn't raise prices.

When you have waited this long, $80 is nothing to ensure you are maximizing your opportunity. Would suck big time if that big bull you are chasing crosses the property line as you are getting ready to take your shot, and you didn't pony up the money.

Those rugs are cool! Who did the work?

Yes

I have a question about your badger. Does it have a second row of teeth on the front row of the lower jaw? My son did one for a member on here not long ago. We noticed this and didn't know if it was normal.

So my previous comment was clearly sarcasm, but since it has been asked, I'll list a few. Backup rifle (rifle gets dropped, damaged, etc). Multiple hunters in the family with tags for the same hunt. Youth hunter, might need something with a shorter stock or lighter recoil. Need might not have anything to do with it? Libels these days like to ask why does anyone need an "assault rifle" or a 30 round magazine. Are we going to go down that road too?

Tough situation for you. Good luck and hope things turn around for you. Your buddy's situation is inexcusable. #priorities