Joe developed a love of the outdoors when he was young when his dad started taking him along on his hunting adventures teaching him many lessons and building a lifetime of memories. Once Joe was able to hunt he and his dad continued the tradition of hunting together for many years until Joe was able to hunt on his own. During those many years of being in the outdoors Joe developed a passion for not only the outdoors but also wildlife. Joe attended and graduated from the Pennsylvania Institute of Taxidermy in 2003 and began his own taxidermy business shortly after. In an effort to continue to sharpen his taxidermy skills and ensure he continues to use the latest techniques Joe has studied under some of the world’s best taxidermists, attends yearly conventions and competition in many different states, and attends workshops and seminars. Some of Joe’s accomplishments includes winning “Best Fur Bearer” at the West Virginia Taxidermy association annual convention with a black phase raccoon, a second place for a blue phase mink at the World Taxidermy and fish Carving Championship along with 2 First place ribbons at the Ohio and West Virginia Taxidermy shows. Best small mammal with a grey fox at the United Taxidermy National Association competition. For custom taxidermy at it’s best look no further than Simmons Wildlife.
Joe’s approach to taxidermy is not just to preserve your trophy , but also to give your trophy lifelike habitat as it was in the great outdoors while also preserving the memories you created on your hunt.
If you are not able to get your trophy to Joe right away here are some helpful tips:
Deer:
- If you are not able to get to your taxidermist here is a diagram on how to cape a deer for a standard shoulder mount.
- Place the cape in the freezer as soon as possible.
- If you are away and are using a cooler, place the cape in two garbage bags, and a layer of cardboard or plastic bag between the cape and ice. Be sure to put the bag containing your deer cape on top of the ice.
Fish:
- Be sure to keep the fish intact (do not gut) and try to take length and girth measurements if doing a replica mount
- Be sure to take a lot of pictures preferably with a white background. The white background allows for all of the colors within the fish to show better. You can’t take too many pictures of your trophy
- Wrap the fish in a plastic wrap or plastic bag and place it in the freezer as soon as possible. Laying as flat a possible and you can’t use too much plastic wrap or too many plastic bags
Birds:
- Keep the bird in tact (do not gut)
- Tuck the bird’s head under the wing.
- Do not bend any of the feathers
- If possible use freezer bags (or any plastic bag) and place in the freezer.
All Life Size and Capes
- Keep intact to the front shoulders (do not gut past the front shoulders)
Tips for selecting the right taxidermist for you
- The number one tip is to take a trip and see the quality or work being produced before season begins
What sets me apart from other taxidermist
- Extra attention to details. Just a few examples are
- Deer eyes – add a picture
- Deer nose detail – add picture
- Body shape of mammals- add picture
- Skilled in African species and reptiles
- Customers habitat using the most innovative products
- Add moss pictures and habitat pics
- Keep up on latest trends
- pack mount need pic
- Indian turkey feather need to add pic
- Getting to know the client and their needs
- Supporting the community
- Make donations to local fire department
- Helped local girl scout troop continue their education
- Mounted specimens for some state parks like a great horned owl for Moraine State park and an albino raccoon for Raccoon State park
- Flexible payments after initial deposit