There are several good taxidermists around. This is a story about a 21-year-old Lauren Owens, Pittsboro, Indiana, is a female practicing her skills, full-time. “Growing up, I liked to fish and could hardly wait for hunting season,” Owens said. She harvested her first deer at age 12. After graduating from high school Owens decided she wanted to make a vocation of preserving outdoor memories for others. She chose Second Nature Taxidermy School, Bonner, Montana to learn the trade. When she returned to Indiana, Owens opened Pip’s Taxidermy LLC. at Pittsboro Indiana. “I have my own shop with a display wall that can be seen through a large glass window. Counting my schooling, I had a start-up cost of about $20,000,” she explained.

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This is Owen’s second season mounting deer, elk, coyotes and even an African watusi (it looks similar to a longhorn steer) she mounted for Cow Pokes. Owens mounted 50 deer last year, she has also stuffed black bears, wild turkey, and ducks. Owens will also make replicas of your trophy fish.

Lauren Owens is proud of her work and plans on renting a booth at the upcoming Deer & Turkey Expo. That being said, you can see her work now on Facebook.

Owens promises a 6-8 month turnaround on her work. She charges $525 for a shoulder mount.

“I make bear rugs and tan coyote pelts too. A coyote pelt will cost you $125. I add $50 if I have to skin one; that is a nasty job,” she laughed.

Bring your deer head in for mounting this year and receive a chance at winning a full shoulder mount, next year.

Owens recommends hunters go online to learn how to skin or cape a trophy animal. “Do not cut the deer hide above the diaphragm. In fact, stay about three inches below that, if possible. I can fix a botched field dress but it takes a lot more time,” she cautioned.

This year, Owens shot a 200 lb. buck on the opening day of gun season. “In full velvet, he will make an interesting mount,” she said.

Lauren’s most rewarding hunt was last spring. “I hunted with my brother Levi Baumer and had yet to seal the deal. On a day of pounding rain, our grandpa called. He was hearing turkeys gobble across the creek. The downpour, even without rain suits, was not going to be a deterrent. Levi hen called and a gobbler answered. We saw him ahead and were able to cut him off. He gobbled at 10 yards, but I could not get a shot. My brother spun me around so I would be on the turkey when he cleared the tree. I did not miss,” she said. Her first tom weighed 24 lbs. and had 10-inch spurs.

When I asked Owens what it would take to get more females interested in hunting, she said, “Just asked them to go with you.”

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