More About Missouri Taxidermy School Instructor Bruce Owens

I first started my passion for the art of taxidermy by the age of 12. A Taxidermist by the name of Bill Heller lived 2 homes away from my grandparents in which my family and I visited every weekend. I would walk to his home and visit him any chance that arrived. I asked him one day if he would teach me how to mount a bird. He then shot a pigeon and to my delight we mounted it.

I was hooked from that point on and have been fascinated with wildlife art ever since. I used to collect squirrels and birds, and mount them on my kitchen table. I ordered those lessons from J.W. Elwood and in addition did mail order taxidermy lessons. Soon after at 14, I began my first job. I did a lot of moving around when I was just a boy. I have worked for numerous Taxidermists throughout the country and in Costa Rica, California, Washington, Montana, Colorado, Texas, and finally now in Missouri. I have made a lot of friends throughout the years and have gained techniques and acquired styles from them along the way that have made me the unique taxidermist I am today.

Birds have always been my favorite, and they are the wildlife I cherish the most while I appreciate their unique color patterns and beauty.

After years of studying, I then was introduced into competition in Denver, Colorado. My first judge was Bob Berry which unfortunately didn’t grant me with a ribbon.

Soon after I was introduced to a man named Don Bowman. When I visited his taxidermy shop I was so amazed and astonished by his talent that I inquired on lessons from this talented Taxidermist. After I retained all the teachings I could from Don, I began submitting my taxidermy art into taxidermy competitions again. From that point on, taxidermy competition was my new found passion. Thanks to Don, I have won dozens of taxidermy awards throughout my career.

It has since been 10 years since my last competition entry. In 2003 I moved back to Montana to freshen up on my taxidermy skills and learned from a man named Chris Bashman. In 2007, I visited a Missouri show and achieved the highest scoring with Birds & in the Masters Division. My achievements have all been in recognition in birds.

Here in Winfield MO, I operate a full-time shop, 30 miles Northeast of Louis. I am currently residing in a small farm town centering 90 duck & goose clubs. This to me is a sanctuary. Throughout the years I have been a member of several associations & am actively a member of Missouri’s Taxidermy Association, Ducks Unlimited, & Delta Waterfowl.