What it Takes: Award-winning taxidermist is self taught

In the past year, I've talked to many different people about their careers. This year, though, I want to try to experience those careers too. After all, the best way of learning is through experience.

This month I visited the studio of award-winning taxidermist Jamie Risovi. That's right, "Mr. Risovi" as he's known at New Rockford-Sheyenne School is more than a middle school teacher. He is a world-renowned taxidermist.

Jamie's specialty is the white-tail deer, which are plentiful in this area. Jamie got started when he was young, not much older than me. His uncle was a North American big game hunter and had a large collection of mounts that fascinated Jamie. When he was 12 or 13 years old, Jamie began teaching himself the trade.

The idea of being self-taught is a common notion nowadays. At home, I have been dabbling in a little taxidermy under the guidance of my mom. She and I are both in experimental phases, so the internet is our go-to source for information. But for young Jamie, this was not available, it was 40 years ago and he didn't have YouTube or the internet- such things hadn't been thought of. Instead, he relied on books, other taxidermists and his own experience.

In his early years, Jamie says he made every mistake in the book. He also adds that it was through these mistakes that he learned how to perfect the process.  

Soon he entered competitions. He wanted to learn beyond the basics and to master advanced challenges in taxidermy. He also spent years traveling, meeting the best taxidermists in North America.

As for awards, Jamie is a two-time National Champion, World taxidermy master, and North American champion. He also received the Bruchac Award which is awarded to the best white-tail deer in the state."

Now he can show his customers the high quality of his work thanks to the techniques he has mastered.

I have my own techniques I am working to master. Late last year, while driving to Bismark, my mom and I spotted a young raccoon that was dead on the side of the road. Because it was cold and the animal was in very good shape, my mom let me pick it up and bring it home!

Last week, we took the raccoon out of the freezer and prepared it for taxidermy. The first thing my mom taught me was how to skin the animal. It wasn't at all gross. In fact, I really enjoy it, and was amazed by the inner structure of the raccoon. I guess you could say, it showed me what I was made of.

Patience is a crucial skill for any taxidermist. Jamie said processing a deer head mount can take 15-18 hours over the course of a year. But those hours vary depending on the animal and the stage of the process. For example, very early on, the hide is sent to a tannery to be preserved. Getting the hide back can be a waiting process, as it can take 2-5 months.

Once the hide is tanned, it is ready to be mounted. Jamie uses a traditional technique with pre-formed manikins. These are made to approximate sizes for each species (and even subspecies) of animal, and can be modified through sculpting or carving to fit the hide.

While visiting his studio, I noticed so many deer and other large mammals like bears, elk and various subspecies of caribou. He also had a variety of birds and fish that showed the far reaches of his skills.

When asked if Jamie had a favorite part of the taxidermy process, he said, "I like it all." In fact, he doesn't even mind the tedious work such as precise measuring, sewing, sculpting, painting and always paying attention to detail. These are skills he is passing on to his son, Lucas, who works in the studio.

A taxidermist is tasked with giving a lifeless animal a life-like appearance. Jamie says this can be achieved only by using well-tanned hides, quality materials and mannikins, as well as choosing the best-quality eyes.

Jamie also advises including as many details as possible, such as sculpting in the muscles, brushing in the hair patterns, and including the caruncula- the small fleshy portion of the inner eye.

For Jamie, each one of his mounts is far more than a dead animal on the wall. His own personal mounts tell stories and allow him to remember that animal, that place, and the whole experience.

Through his work, Jamie prepares each specimen knowing that it holds the same potential for his customers. Hundreds of mounts pass through his doors each year, each one of them unique and ready for a new life.