There are currently two bills in Washington D.C. regarding hunting and fishing that all taxidermists should become familiar with. 

These two bills SB339 introduced by Democratic Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, and H.R.731 introduced by Democratic Representative Mark Udall of Colorado are titled as the "Reaffirmation of State Regulation of Resident and Non-Resident Hunting and Fishing Act of 2005." 

The purpose of these two bills is basically to overturn the recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision, which struck down non-resident hunting license quotas in all states, covered by the 9th Circuit, and set a precedent for similar legal action in other states. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision. 

There are many differing views and many differing opinions on this matter, so you are advised to become informed and make your own decisions. Information can easily be located by a quick Internet search. 

Then as an informed constituent you can contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and either oppose or request support for this legislation. 

You can find your Congressional representatives at http://www.nationaltaxidermists.com/www.house.gov and http://www.senate.gov/

Become informed and take action! If it affects hunting and fishing, it affects your business. 

The NTA, keeping you informed because we care about keeping you in business!

Between Friends 
Cindy Crain 

Bippity Boppity Boo – 
“Is that a wrinkle I see on you?” 

In the morning when you get up, do you hurry into your bathroom and fix your hair and put on your make up? (Okay, I know the guys don't.) Do you steer clear of the mirror or leave your glasses off for a few minutes to avoid seeing those tiny wrinkles that are sneaking up around your eyes? Does your bathroom cabinet overflow with all of those amazing creams and potions, which promise to ward off the lethal signs of aging? Do those anti aging commercials that saturate our television airways snooker you? Oh, if we could only believe some of the commercials…and what about those fairy tale commercials? 

You know the ones. Poor Taxirella, a disarrayed taxidermist maiden who's depressed, and brooding in her chores and cast into the role of skinning fish and sewing deer hides. Then, with the magic wave of a dremel tool (I mean wand), a few bippity boppity boos from the fairy godmother, she is transformed into a sparkling, well coiffured, confident, beautiful taxidermist and/or taxidermy spouse, who is geared up to go to the NTA banquet and see all the fine-looking princes (I mean taxidermists.) 

While the commercials don't exactly foretell of that big of a transformation, they do guarantee if I use these special creams and lotions, my wrinkles will be smoothed, the fat melted, a harness put on those hippy love handles, and that the only bags in my life will be the ones that I pack to take to Sioux Falls this summer. 

It would be easier to daydream and accept this vision if the models (aka Cinderellas) they used were over 21, showed signs of wrinkling and dimpling other than when they smiled, showed their pearly whites and had at least the beginnings of a bag or sag on the 8-10 percent body fat body they possess. It would be even better if she were wearing a flowered mu mu, a housecoat, a Jeff Gordon T-shirt and pajama bottoms or (you guessed it) her #24 JG slippers. 

Imagine if the commercials were more practical featuring an ordinary, everyday woman. She would be over 21 and have a figure that indicated she had birthed 2.5 babies. (Okay, there are a number who are blessed and look like models, no matter how many babies they've had.) She might also look like a woman who has sat up all night taking care of a sick child or one who has pulled all her hair out from hours of helping with second grade homework, that she doesn't understand. Come on, television land…take a regular, everyday woman and wipe away the signs of aging…now that's a commercial I really want to see! You talk about rushing to purchase that product! 

But we all know that commercials for products are like peanut butter. Some make claims that are chunky and some are so smooth that you don't realize you've been snookered. But in the end, all of them spread the same - purchase me and I'll bring a miracle transformation…yeah, right! 

In the long run, like Taxirella, the poof that turned it on also turns it off and reality brings everything into reverse, because the old gray mare ain't what she used to be. So, face it, there is no magical recipe to iron out the wrinkles or take away the bags under the eyes-excluding surgery and a secret prayer that you won't end up looking like you're in a state of continuous surprise. You remember the commercial where the guy jumps out of the washing machine and scares his wife? That's the look.

We won't find any magic pills, drinks or machinery to help melt away the fat without exercise and giving up the sweet, greasy foods that taste great. So I'm getting used to switching the channels when they play those foolish commercials, because I realize that going pure and natural means having a human body that is guaranteed to sag and bag, and wrinkle and crinkle with age. Obviously, that's the way God intended it to be. 

I read that growing old can be dangerous. The trail is treacherous and the pitfalls are many. One is wise to be prepared. We know it's coming. In our minds, we may think and act like we're 16…but our bodies don't respond like we are 16. It's not like God kept the aging process a secret. Look around you. We're all growing older. It's really a great thing to grow old. We're not dead! And look at the lessons we have learned. 

Our last chapters can be our best. Our final song can be our greatest. It could be that all of your life has prepared you for a grand exit. I read in a Book, "Even when you are old, I will be the same, even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you…" 

I'm telling you Steve Steinbring…you really need to work on that Epo-Grip…cosmetic adhesives for the face are the way to go. Exceptional strength, controlled cure times, consistent performance and non-sagging.

What’s Cookin - Taxidermy Jerky

When you select your piece of meat, place it in freezer for three or four hours until it begins to set. This will make slicing easier. 

3-4 pounds red lean beef, venison or other game 

Slice across the grain one-fourth to three-eighths inch thick. 

Marinade: 

6-8 cups water
4-8 cloves minced garlic (to taste)
2 tablespoons salt
1-tablespoon pepper
1 stalk celery
10 tablespoons soy sauce
5 large, strong onions
1-2 tablespoons oregano
1-2 tablespoons hot sauce (to taste) 

Place all marinade ingredients into boiling water. Boil three to four minutes, cover and simmer five to six more minutes. Let cool under cover for 30 minutes. Strain through a large strainer using a large spoon to push some pulp through the strainer. Place sliced meat in bread pans, cover with marinade. Place in refrigerator for two days. Remove and stir occasionally. 

Dry in a dehydrator or on racks in your oven at 115 to 125 degrees. 

When done pack in Ziploc bags and freeze for long-term storage. 

What’s Cookin - Fried, Stuffed (not mounted) Shrimp

2-dozen cleaned shrimp
2-tablespoons minced onion
2-tablespoons chopped celery
2-tablespoons chopped green pepper
2-tablespoons minced parsley
¼ (one-quarter) cup milk
1-cup breadcrumbs
½ (one-half) cup crabmeat
½ (one-half) teaspoon lemon juice
½ (one-half) teaspoon salt
¼ (one-quarter) teaspoon pepper
1 ½ (one and one-half) teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1-tablespoon flour
1-clove garlic, minced
2-tablespoons melted butter 

Split shrimp down the back, leaving tails on. Sauté onion, celery, green pepper, parsley and garlic in butter. Blend in flour; add milk, stirring until thick. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Place small amount of crab stuffing in each shrimp, packing firmly into shape. Chill 1 hour. Dip into batter and fry in deep hot shortening (375-degrees) for 5 minutes or until brown. Yields: 4 servings 

Back to Top