Bu Roker Taxidermy
Mike Buroker started in 1976 after visiting the American Institute of Taxidermy. He graduated in 1977 and opened his first shop in Eau Claire at just 21 years old. By 1985, he'd established his location at 1721 Birch Street, where he spent 36+ years doing taxidermy and selling bait and tackle. In Ma...
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Full description and what we offer
Mike Buroker started in 1976 after visiting the American Institute of Taxidermy. He graduated in 1977 and opened his first shop in Eau Claire at just 21 years old. By 1985, he'd established his location at 1721 Birch Street, where he spent 36+ years doing taxidermy and selling bait and tackle. In May 2021, he moved his operation to a home-based shop at 7130 Edgewater Court in Eau Claire—fulfilling a long-held dream to work from home while continuing the craft.
- •Whitetail deer – shoulder mounts and head mounts
- •Mule deer – western trophies
- •Game fish – walleyes, crappies, and other species
- •Antelope – specialty mounts
- •Full body mounts – bear and other game
- •Other species – contact to discuss custom requests
"Buroker's mounts look alive." – Dave Deetz, Mondovi, Wisconsin
Customers have been returning for decades. One testimonial came from a family bringing Mike their trophies across three generations—starting with a 13-point buck in 1983 that still looks great nearly 40 years later. Another client has had Mike mount over 20 deer across 35 years. Multiple customers mention paying for mounts done in the 1980s and still using him today.
What stands out in testimonials:
- •Attention to detail – "His attention to detail is unbelievable" and "His attention to detail is far and beyond the other 5"
- •Lifelike appearance – Repeatedly described as looking "alive" or "just like the day I caught the fish"
- •Personalization – He listens to what customers want and customizes each mount accordingly
- •Willingness to experiment – Not afraid to try new mounts and ideas
- •Reasonable pricing – Multiple testimonials note he doesn't charge enough for the quality
- •Fast turnaround – Described as "great turn around time"
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 7130 Edgewater Court, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703 |
| Phone | 715-530-1878 (cell/primary contact) |
| Hours | By appointment only |
| Previous Location | 1721 Birch Street, Eau Claire (1985–2021) |
Call ahead to schedule. This is a home-based operation, so appointments are essential. Mike's been doing this for 45 years, and he takes each mount seriously—expect professional results.
Mike's passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors drives his work. He says: "If I could combine that passion with providing a service to others, what greater incentive would I have to make professional taxidermy my profession!"
He's taught at the American Institute of Taxidermy early in his career and built relationships in the Chippewa Valley for decades. Being a hunter and angler himself, he understands what fish and animals are supposed to look like—which shows in every finished mount.
He also knows the community well. One testimonial mentions Mike "watched my son grow up" over 23 years of business, and another notes he's "always been genuinely interested" in customers' families and outdoor pursuits.