GRAVETTE -- With fall and hunting seasons at hand, things are about to get busy for Chad Smith, owner of Backcountry Taxidermy in Gravette.
Hunting has always been a big part of life in this area. In the early days of our state, many hunted deer, rabbit, squirrel and quail to help put meat on the table. Today, hunting is less a means of feeding the family and is pursued more as a sport, but a successful hunt can still result in some delicious dishes. Game and fish officials agree Arkansas offers some of the best hunting in the country.
The first day of fall is coming up next week, and the weather has cooled considerably. When that chill in the air arrives, it often coincides conveniently with hunting season and it stirs something in the blood of the avid hunter. He's prompted to get his equipment out of the closet, check his supply of shells or arrows and get ready to head for the woods. And if he bags an especially striking trophy, he might want to have it mounted for his wall.
Rabbit season opened Sept. 1 and archery deer season opens Sept. 27 in our area. Elk seasons will run Oct. 6-10 and Oct. 27-31. Bird hunters are already afield as dove season opened Sept. 6. A 10-day Canada goose season will run Sept. 20-29 in the northwest Arkansas zone. With all the activity this month and next, a local taxidermist says he expects his busy time is just about to begin.
"I'm pretty well caught up right now," said Smith last week, "but I imagine that is about to change." Chad is ready for the increase in business with a large, efficient work area, and the best of tools, in his building at 108 First Ave. N.W. His slogan is "Making Outdoor Memories Last" and he prides himself on doing a good job.
"To some people, taxidermy is a job or a hobby. To me, it is my passion," he states on his website. He admits he has been fascinated with taxidermy since he was a young boy and says, "I feel, with each mount I do, it is my responsibility to make it as lifelike as possible. I take great pride in my work and only use the best materials and processes available today. If you want a cheap mount, you may be better off taking your trophy elsewhere. If you want a quality life-long mount, you've found the right place."
Apparently hunters appreciate Smith's emphasis on quality because he opened for business in 2011 and says business has doubled in each of the three years since then. He is obviously well-qualified, with his formal training from Central Texas School of Taxidermy in Snyder, Texas. His instruction was under the guidance of Jason Bynum. Bynum, the former owner of Bull Creek Taxidermy in Snyder, is currently the head instructor at the taxidermy school.
Chad is a member of the Arkansas Taxidermist Association and the National Association of Taxidermists. He takes part in taxidermy competitions, and his good work has been recognized with wins in those contests. He is currently displaying a deer mount which won second place in Arkansas Taxidermist Association competition and another which won third place in national competition. He is planning to enter mounts at the Arkansas show next February in DeGray State Park at Hot Springs and in the world championship at Springfield, Mo., in 2015.
Smith lived in Plainview until he was in fifth grade. Then his father got a job with Texas Utilities and they moved to Marshall, Texas, in 1981. He did taxidermy part time in Texas while he worked for McCarty Oil for 18 years. He says he always yearned to move back to Arkansas and that dream came true when he and his family moved to Bella Vista in 2011. He started Backcountry Taxidermy that year. He and his wife Gwen live in Bella Vista with their 14-year-old daughter Ashton. Gwen works for Mercy Medical in Rogers.
Chad still has relatives in Texas and makes two or three trips back there each year. He is a hunter himself and travels to Colorado or Wyoming nearly every year to hunt. He invites hunters to visit his website at backcountry-taxidermy.com to see a gallery of his work. Call 479-426-7948 for more information or prices.
General News on 09/17/2014