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Animal Artistry began in 1980 when Mike Boyce was a pastor who mounted trophies as a side hustle with hunting buddies. The garage project exploded so fast neighbors forced them out. From that small commercial building, Mike built something remarkable: a taxidermy studio that treats every mount—from ...
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Full description and what we offer
Animal Artistry began in 1980 when Mike Boyce was a pastor who mounted trophies as a side hustle with hunting buddies. The garage project exploded so fast neighbors forced them out. From that small commercial building, Mike built something remarkable: a taxidermy studio that treats every mount—from a teenager's first deer to museum displays with hundreds of animals—with the same obsessive attention to detail.
Mike's hunting expeditions across North America, Africa, and Asia informed his entire approach. He didn't want stuffed, stagnant trophies. He wanted animals frozen mid-motion, with grace and dignity. That vision resonated so hard that within five years they'd outgrown their space. Today, Animal Artistry occupies a custom-designed facility at 1190 Terminal Way in Reno, Nevada, just blocks from the airport.
Core Services: - Full-service taxidermy (shoulder mounts, pedestal mounts, half-lifesize, life-size) - Trophy room design and custom habitat creation - Remounting services for damaged or poorly executed old mounts - Reproductions (detailed replicas nearly indistinguishable from originals) - European mounts (horns/skull without animal form) - Field preparation consultation for hunters
Specialties by Region: - North American: Elk, deer, antelope, bear, mountain goat, sheep - African: Lion, elephant, leopard, giraffe, buffalo, and more - Asian/Exotic: Ibex, markhor, argali, and specialty species
"Animal Artistry takes great pride in producing a quality mount that keeps the memory of your hunt alive."
They run a structured, efficient system with quality checks built in:
1. Receiving - Immediate inspection and inventory matching 2. Tanning & Supply - Skins go to their partner tanneries within 24 hours; back in 30 days. Pose requests finalized during this window. 3. Skin & Manikin Prep - Hand-sculpted forms, anatomically accurate. Skins sewn, thinned at membranes, fitted with ear liners. 4. Mounting & Drying - Two-person teams seamlessly join skin to form, sew, pin, and dry. 5. Finishing - Airbrush artists add realism: grooming, texture, color correction, putty work. 6. Habitat (life-size only) - Custom trees, rocks, grass, setting. Final quality check and photo. 7. Final Invoice & Shipping - Photo sent to client. Animal Artistry's own trucks deliver coast-to-coast, or client arranges pickup.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM After-hours by appointment during hunting season
Contact: - Stewart Brown (General Manager): 775-323-0203 (office) | 775-342-7231 (mobile) - Mildred Reyes (Front Office): [email protected] - Carley Belez (Billing): [email protected]
Leave voice messages only—no texts. Alaska air cargo shipping info available directly from Stewart.
Hunters handle their own caping to avoid extra charges (skinning and fleshing are pricey). Animal Artistry won't accept skulls with brain matter (wasting disease risk).
Key rules: - Take ample cape—don't cut short - Keep cool to prevent rot and hair slippage - Antelope especially susceptible; extra care needed - Ship frozen in triple plastic bags (never plastic wrap alone) - Continental US: ship Monday/Tuesday only, overnighted - Fresh skins need rapid turnaround
Deposit required upon trophy arrival. Pose instructions must be submitted within 30 days or excess tanning charges apply. Kill photos are critical—face/neck detail, entire body angles, habitat shots (if life-size mount requested). Photos let them recreate scars, nose shapes, horn damage, hair condition, body shape.
Mike Boyce also sculpted bronzes and painted wildlife art. His manikin designs are now used in taxidermy studios worldwide. The Art of the Animal gallery (in the facility) features:
Beyond taxidermy, they stock: - Euro mounts - Custom furniture - Decorative pillows - One-of-a-kind home décor - Quality rugs and artifacts
Browse online or visit in-person.
Maintenance: Every 6 months—gentle dust and pet brush grooming. Windex on eyes only. Lemon Pledge on antlers (never horns). With regular care, a mount lasts indefinitely.
Finished or unfinished items cannot be stored longer than 30 days. Arrange shipping/pickup promptly after completion.
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