My interest in taxidermy began in 1978 after seeing an ad for The Northwestern School of Taxidermy correspondence course in a Field and Stream magazine. After completing the course, almost two years later, I began to mount fish and birds for myself and family members. Over the years, I have gone from a hobby taxidermist to a part-time and now full-time taxidermist.
I became a part of the Missouri Taxidermy Association and the Kansas Association of Taxidermists in 2007 and had my first experience with competition. Through interaction with many talented artists, receiving judging critiques, attending seminars and other learning opportunities, I have watched my work improve and my business grow. In 2013, I accepted the position of Secretary of the Kansas Association of Taxidermists and served the KAT as President from 2016-2018.
My beautiful wife Michele and I have six children between us. Four of our children are married, and we have four grandchildren and are expecting two more in the spring of 2021. Our youngest daughter is a junior at MIZZOU. Outside of the studio, I enjoy the outdoors, fishing, hunting, bicycling, gardening and spending time with Michele, our kids and grandkids. I love watching sports, including Notre Dame, Mizzou and Kansas State Football, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Kansas City Royals.
I am pleased to be working for you on the BOD of the UTA and am proud to spend the 2021-22 year as Chairman of the Board. Please call anytime to volunteer for something or just talk! I look forward to working with you in the future.
Work (508) 813-8224
GAIL TOUT - The road to owning a full time taxidermy business, like many taxidermists, took a long and convoluted track. I have been a Certified Dental Assistant, Office Manager, Elementary School Librarian, Bookkeeper and Business Owner. I graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology.
My husband Dan started out as a taxidermy hobbyist. By attending State, National and World competitions and attending seminars he has over time, become an excellent full time taxidermist. I came into the business as a Rug Maker, utilizing my crafting and sewing skills, at the urging of our local taxidermist friends. I now am full time in our business producing Wholesale Rugs for other taxidermists.
My passion is travel. The most exciting trip, so far, was to Antarctica!
This is my third time on the BOD of the UTA. I believe strongly in education for excellence in our profession.
CRAIG LEWIS - Owner of Lewis Wildlife Art a full-service taxidermy business. Served on numerous Boards of Directors including Chairman of the UTA Board for a number of years. Is a consultant with the Executive Service Corps helping non-profits resolve managerial and financial issues. Particular expertise in bringing order out of chaos and implementing more efficient and cost-effective organizational performance improvements. Keen, perceptive, and resourcefulness able to analyze evolving situations quickly and formulate doable action plans leading to measurable results. Also, fully conversant with regulatory guidelines and compliance standards such as DSHS, DOE, DOA, OSHA & DEC. A capable and respected leader, communicator, and relationship builder with proven expertise as an executive officer, board member, strategic partner and government agency liaison. Builds enduring relations based on an unwavering dedication to service, adherence to ethical standards and to the attainment of the highest levels of organizational and team performance
SHAWN HACKWORTH - I have been an avid outdoorsman my whole life and spend a good portion of my free time enjoying the outdoors and the wildlife that live there. After preserving memories for family and friends as well as myself for a number of years I decided to go to school to obtain a more informed knowledge of taxidermy.
I now have the knowledge and experience to handle most every aspect of taxidermy. It has evolved into a business that I enjoy very much. I feel very fortunate to have been blessed with the ability and talent that is needed to re-create a moment in time.
Although I don’t enter as many taxidermy competitions as I would like, I have placed well at the ones that I’ve entered. I’m proud to join the UTA Board of Directors, representing the Upper Midwest Region. I look forward to meeting you.
I didn’t start in the taxidermy field as early as many have in our industry but I have had a lot of experiences in my life before finally ending up in taxidermy that I believe enriches my contribution to the industry. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, a Master’s Degree in Secondary Science Education, and I was a high school animal science/biology teacher for 20 years by the time I retired in 2019 to pursue taxidermy.
I love riding my horses, playing with my dogs, camping, hiking, hunting & fishing. My husband Tyler and I live on our small farm in east central Illinois. Tyler actually introduced me to taxidermy when he would do euro skull mounts for friends & family. I found that I truly enjoyed the industry having all my animal science backgrounds. I decided to retire from teaching, and jumped into taxidermy full time. I trained with the best out in the industry and joined my state taxidermy association. Interacting with amazing taxidermists, going to the shows, attending seminars and continuing my education in the field, I have watched myself grow and improve! Even though I haven’t entered as many competitions outside of Illinois as I would like, since typical shows happen around the planting season & it is difficult to leave while my husband is out in the fields, the shows I have competed in I have always done very well! In fact, second year competing I won Best of Category in my division in Illinois!
I feel that being on the BOD is such an amazing thing and am blessed to have this experience. I feel that my background in science education will help our association enormously. My goals are to get more of our youth into the industry, especially females and strive to continue the education in our profession!! I’m very excited to work as a BOD for the Upper Midwest region and I look forward to meeting you all. Reach out anytime!
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