Stepping Into Taxidermy

I’ve been toying around with the idea of doing taxidermy for a few years now, and that is why when Chad decided to mount his eight point that he shot opening day of gun in 2011, I took advantage of the opportunity and asked Ken Krueze, a family friend that does all of our taxidermy, if I could shadow him during the process of mounting Chad’s deer.  Lucky for me, Ken was more than willing to educate me on the fine art of taxidermy, so after watching several Youtube videos and tagging along with Ken, I feel I have a pretty good idea of how to do a shoulder mount deer head, and I am currently in the process of mounting a buck that I shot this year.  I am excited to see how it turns out. 

Stoney Grass Taxidermy will be the name of my business, and of course, all Krack Boy Outdoor members get the finest service and a great discount.  Also, my first few customers can get a shoulder mount for $250 because I am new to the trade and looking for some practice.  So if you or someone you know shot a nice deer this year but are not sure if they want to spend $350 to $400 for a mount, here is the chance to get a great deal.  Just send an email to bkraker@hotmail.com or call me at 616-836-0655.

Below are pictures of Chad’s buck that I worked on with Ken. 

Special thanks to Ken Krueze for taking the time to teach me the tricks of the trade. 

Broken Tine December Buck

It's that time of year where life becomes busy with Christmas preparation and get togethers and that is why I decided to take advantage of an unbooked Saturday morning, December 15.  The only question was where do I sit?  We recently got permission to hunt 12 acres by my moms house, but I was thinking the odds would be better by the bank.  Speaking of odds, any previous year would have suggested the upper stand (also known as the hotspot or killer stand) would be the best choice for success, but this year, for the first time ever, the lower stand has out produced the upper stand with two bucks and doe compared to only two doe out of the upper stand.  So I decided to sit in the lower stand. 

 

I had been sitting for no more than 20 minutes and a buck came strolling in from the south.  It was still fairly dark, but I could tell it was a smaller rack, which got me wondering if it was the deer Andrew hit a couple weeks before.  I figured I would never find out for sure because it was about to step right into my wind, and I figured that would be the last I would ever see of him again, but that is not what happened.  The buck stepped into my wind and put his nose in the air, but instead of taking off, he started heading right for me.  In a matter of minutes, he was twenty yards in front of me, directly in my wind.  He looked away for a brief second and I took the opportunity to draw my bow.  I heard a whack and the deer took off to the north.  It ran about 50 yards up the powerline and stopped, stumbled, and rolled.  It was the first time I have ever seen a deer go down after shooting it with a bow (except spine shots).    

Not only did this buck loose the fight with my Hoyt CRX35 but it appears it lost a fight to another buck earlier in the season because its main tine on the left side was broken off.  It would have been a nice six but was a ugly five instead. 

 

 

The deer had no signs of being hit by Andrew a couple week prior so I got my answer on that question, and this guy solidified the lower stand with the top stand of 2012 with three bucks and a doe (plus the one Andrew wounded).

 

Stats:

Sex - Male

Points - 5 (broken tine)

Shot distance - 20 yards

Weapon - Hoyt CRX 35

Broadhead - Muzzy 100 grain three blade (that's right I'm back to shooting Muzzy's.  They seem to do the trick)

Shot placement - through the the shoulder and out the mid section (Muzzy blasted right through the bone.  You can't complain about that)

Weight - 115 lbs

Didn't have an illuminated nock on so I have no feedback for you. 

Stand - Lower Bank Stand

Whiskey Creek

Like my older brother, I too have a deep appreciation for bow hunting. I'll never forget the day I shot 2 deer with my gun within a ten minute period. After the gun smoke settled I found myself facing a huge task (we process our own deer) which was brought about with only a mediocre amount of adrenaline. To be fair I have to admit it was still a good time. But it did lack the satisfaction of having a whitetail only yards away , and putting them down with energy that came from the strength of my own arms.

However, my appreciation for gun hunting was revived this past gun season when I got to take out my trusty ole 25-06 and head up north for my 2^nd annual Whiskey Creek Hunting Camp. This hunt didn't revive gun hunting for me because of the gun or even because it resulted in my first northern whitetail. It was because It was a deer camp that included my entire family! And the 96 Lb doe that I shot was nothing too spectacular, but it was the first deer I got to shoot with my son Easton sitting next to me. Easton is my 2 year old boy who is in love with deer, or “Dee” as he calls them. Elijah (my oldest, 5) has been out with me several times this year, but Easton isn't able to climb into the stand so the ground blind was our only option. He quietly sat in front of the heater, and even though he may never remember that night, I know I'll never forget it.

It was only six years ago that I sat in that same pop up blind with my Dad, trying to get my first deer with a bow. I'm glad he took the time to hunt with me, and I'm glad that I now get to teach my own boys the same thing. I still prefer the bow, but if I get to put a deer down with one of my boys next to me, I'll do it with whatever the state of Michigan allows!

Hunt info:

Mossberg 4x4 25-06

118 grain bullet

150 Yards

Whiskey Creek

Deer dropped then got up and ran 15 yards

Tom Coviak found with flashlight after dark.

Shot placement- Lung & Liver. Quartering to me.

96 Lb.

Bow Kill During Gun Season

 

Shooting a deer with a gun seems to carry less satisfaction than taking one with a bow, and that is the main reason I generally opt out of taking a gun into the woods when I can take the trusty Hoyt.  Don’t get me wrong, there is still a certain satisfaction of letting a round fly out the end of your gun barrel and having it meet up with a perfect kill shot on your desired prey, but I prefer the up close and personal  (and sometimes frustrating) challenge of the bow. 

That is why on Sunday, November 18, 2012 I decided to sit in the lower bank stand with my bow.  After watching four mature doe walk by at 60 to 70 yards, I feared I made the wrong decision on my weapon choice.  But then from the north came my chance at redemption.  A single mature doe was heading in my direction.  It was walking directly into my wind so I feared that I would be winded at any moment, but it didn’t happen.  She gave me a 30 yard shot and I took it.  It must have jumped my string a bit (at least that is my excuse) because the shot was high and it the spine. 



 

 

I would say taking a doe that is on edge from gun hunting pressure with a bow at 30 yards is a pretty impressive feat.  I have gone bow hunting during gun season in previous seasons with no luck so this kill makes me feel pretty good.  All glory be to God for letting me make this harvest.  It may not be a trophy but it was another exciting hunting challenge. 

Stats:
Weapon - Hoyt CRX35
Shot Distance - 30 yards
Sex - Female
Weight - 95 lbs
Shot Placement - spine
Stand - Lower Bank Stand

P.S. Just so you know Brad, my Burt Coyote Lumenock failed me.  I know your shocked.