Featured Taxidermist
Taxidermy Shows in 2023
Learn about this year's shows in this video
Scenes-n-Nature® Testimonials
Read what award-winning taxidermists are saying
Keystone Exclusive Tip
Watch an exclusive video for Keystone subscribers
Upcoming Shows
Find out what shows we will attend
Featured Video
Watch our featured how-to video
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Before becoming a taxidermist, Erik Grimland, owner of Top of Texas Taxidermy, was a taxidermy client. As a result, he knows what his own clients are after. “The person who brought it to you cares about it a whole lot, and you have to keep that in mind,” he said.
| Erik started taxidermy as a hobby in 2007 while working as a police officer. He began taxidermy full-time after retiring from the police force after 20 years. His passion for the outdoors, hunting and fishing is what got him into taxidermy in the first place. | Erik is a member of many associations including: the Dallas Safari Club, National Rifle Association, Exotic Wildlife Association, Texas Taxidermy Association, National Taxidermy Association, Texas Trophy Hunters Association and a board member of the Texas Panhandle Ducks Unlimited Chapter. |
While he mostly works on safari and high-end pieces, his personal favorites to study and work on are waterfowl. Staying current in the evolving taxidermy industry is another one of Erik’s objectives. He is always practicing being a student of the art form because “techniques that worked in the 90’s just don't cut the mustard anymore,” he said. “I can’t wait to see what happens in 20 years.”
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“We just love Scenes-n-Nature® products. I don’t think there’s a product you have that we haven’t used,” he said.
“Sure, you can carve out foam, burlap and plaster, it works, but its super heavy. Contour Sheet™ does the same thing with a lot less work, and it’s a lot lighter.”
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Top of Texas Taxidermy is a full-service taxidermy shop located in Amarillo, Texas. The majority of their pieces are custom work, and according to Erik, the only limitation they have is your imagination.
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He would like to give a shout-out to his wonderful staff: Gary, Kelly, Bill and Blake.
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His mission is to create that “wow” moment in a client’s eyes when they pick up their animal.
“You’ve got to be passionate about it. You’ve got to be a student of the industry and the animal you’re working with. You better know about the anatomy, how they behave, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box,” said Erik.
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“The Static King is wonderful because it’s easy, cheap and takes but five minutes. Even if it’s a duck standing on a log, adding grass and making it pretty; it makes a huge difference,” said Erik. “For antler velvet, ya’lls looks better than the real velvet. It’s an amazing product,” he added.
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Erik’s advice to anyone working in the taxidermy world is to ask detailed questions and get pictures of the terrain where a client was hunting. This ties the pieces together to capture the bigger picture so whenever the client looks at their piece, “they go right back to that moment,” he said.
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“I’ve been passionate about this my whole life. That’s what keeps driving me,” he said. “Being a taxidermist is not an easy job, no piece is as important as the piece you’re working on right now.”
| | Taxidermy Shows in 2023 Video | |
Chip Stamper and Stephen Cotten share what shows Scenes-n-Nature will attend for the 2023 year, along with a preview of booth demonstrations. Enjoy!
| | Scenes-n-Nature® Testimonials | |
Two award-winning taxidermists reached out to us in February after competing at the Florida State Taxidermists Association Convention. They won first and second place in Best of Habitat category at the show. We are so pleased to get this kind of feedback and see fantastic results. Many congratulations! Be sure to share your taxidermy habitats with us on social media, we love to see them!
| | “First time using the Contour Sheet™ with Plaster for the Soil Base and first time using Plaster for the pedestal back for the wood grain look. Habitat took second in the Florida show this past weekend. Amazing product, easy to work with and great results! Won’t find a better product!” |
"I am pleased to let you know we received 1st place for our rock habitat used as our base for the Aoudad entered in the Florida State Taxidermy Convention this past weekend. This was our first time using your product and we are very, very pleased overall and look forward to using it in the future! Phenomenal product!"
| | | Keystone Exclusive Habitat Tip | |
We made this exclusive video, just for you! Watch Chip demonstrate how to apply realistic moss effect onto this fish base. This is our way of saying thank you for being Keystone subscribers!
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We are looking forward to attending the following shows soon! The Scenes-n-Nature show booths include hands-on demonstrations, so you can really get a feel for our products. We will also be hosting a seminar and sponsoring the habitat awards at these shows. Hope to see you at one!
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For more information, please call 573-346-5555 or email our Sales department.
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Scenes-n-Nature®
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