Jack's Taxidermy

Jack Barker started learning taxidermy through correspondence courses after working with a forest ranger, then spent decades perfecting his craft through the New York State Taxidermy Association and study under masters in the field. He's a national and international award winner in the Master Division of fish taxidermy—the credentials matter when you're trusting someone with your trophy.

• •Fish (bass, crappie, carp, and more)
• •Deer heads and full body mounts
• •Birds
• •Small game
• •Big game animals
• •Exotic game (they've mounted goats and sika)

Jack's detailed approach starts before the mount even arrives. The source material matters—fish color fades fast, so take a photo immediately. Birds need to stay whole with the head tucked under the wing. Deer heads come in intact so Jack can take the specific measurements needed for the right form size. His instruction on proper specimen care prevents damage before work even begins.

"If you want your mount to look its best then you need to take proper care of it after you have harvested the specimen."

Jack's sponsors the annual Sportsmen's Days raffle, offering free deer head mounts and credit toward custom mounts to local hunters. Winners get certificates with no expiration date—recognition that these mounts are built to last and pass down through families.

Call ahead if you're unsure about specimen care or have a big game trip planned. Jack walks you through proper handling so the mount turns out right.

• •Contact: 607-753-0820 | [email protected]
• •Address: 25 Redwood Ave., Cortland, New York 13045