Taxidermist assoc?

[Loup Loup]

Is there a state Taxidermist assoc?
Thanks

[Loup Loup]

Evidently not.
WSTA is looking for involvement by taxidermists on the structuring of the bobcat jaw removal and submission study. We are working with WDFW on setting up a workable process. Taxidermist are somewhat unique as they oft times skin cats for others. We want your questions/concerns regarding this process. To take to WDFW.
Please pm me with comments.
Attend WSTA gettogether in Cashmere August 9-11. (See posting on trapping page)
Thanking you in advance

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

How about just don’t! I’m going to sound like kind of a jerk on this matter, so I preface what I’m going to say with an apology. I enjoy the trappers association and trap myself but I’m surprised there is not more of a staunch resistance on this subject from the WSTA against the WDFW jaw removal proposal.
I have death with this ‘lower jaw removal’ from Oregon cats and it’s a disaster when it comes to trophy prep. If your trapping cats merely for hides then I can see where it wouldn’t be much of a problem. HOWEVER, there is a large number of bobcats that are taken by hunters that are wanting rugs, full mounts, etc. to INCLUDE the desire for a European mount on the skull like bears and cougars that include the lower jaw.
With this said I have see a LOT of botched jaw removals that hurt the quality of mounts and rugs. Furthermore those hunters are furious that the lower jaw is taken in the name of science for a species that has ABSOLUTELY no threats of species population problems.
If bear studies are adequate with a tooth removal or CWD studies are able to be done by a tissue sample then why is there a need to remove an entire lower jaw of an animal for a study, again, for a species that is not threatened.
Call it my tinfoil hat but it seems another road to discouragement of hunting/trapping an animal in the name of science.
If you have more insight Loup Loup into their reasons or justifications for this proposal I would love to hear them. I would HIGHLY suggest you get a hold of the bobcat hunters (hound groups, trappers association, and taxidermists) in Oregon and see how they like this requirement.
Again, NOTHING against the WSTA by these reasons, but my personal opinion is this needs to be fought or a different method of study needs to be proposed. 

[Loup Loup]

For those in the back… I am not in favor of this study! But it is a done deal. We have passed the point of no return. For now. Again, the best we (all user groups) can do is be involved in the process, and help WDFW not make a cluster out of this. And if we are going to ruin the monetary, trophy value of the skull, get some sound biological data and accountability out of WDFW. End of story. This process is past the point of bitching about it, and time to move forward. While guardingly watching our backs. If you have a workable solution to any of your comments pm me with them. But don’t waste my time whipping your dead horse.
For now I am done speaking about it in public. I’ve got work to do.

[Frank The Tank]

How about just don’t! I’m going to sound like kind of a jerk on this matter, so I preface what I’m going to say with an apology. I enjoy the trappers association and trap myself but I’m surprised there is not more of a staunch resistance on this subject from the WSTA against the WDFW jaw removal proposal.
I have death with this ‘lower jaw removal’ from Oregon cats and it’s a disaster when it comes to trophy prep. If your trapping cats merely for hides then I can see where it wouldn’t be much of a problem. HOWEVER, there is a large number of bobcats that are taken by hunters that are wanting rugs, full mounts, etc. to INCLUDE the desire for a European mount on the skull like bears and cougars that include the lower jaw.
With this said I have see a LOT of botched jaw removals that hurt the quality of mounts and rugs. Furthermore those hunters are furious that the lower jaw is taken in the name of science for a species that has ABSOLUTELY no threats of species population problems.
If bear studies are adequate with a tooth removal or CWD studies are able to be done by a tissue sample then why is there a need to remove an entire lower jaw of an animal for a study, again, for a species that is not threatened.
Call it my tinfoil hat but it seems another road to discouragement of hunting/trapping an animal in the name of science.
If you have more insight Loup Loup into their reasons or justifications for this proposal I would love to hear them. I would HIGHLY suggest you get a hold of the bobcat hunters (hound groups, trappers association, and taxidermists) in Oregon and see how they like this requirement.
Again, NOTHING against the WSTA by these reasons, but my personal opinion is this needs to be fought or a different method of study needs to be proposed.

There was pushback from WSTA on this, but it is now policy, a done deal.  You bring up legitimate concerns, especially from the taxidermy business that we hope to address moving forward (any other points you think of later as well)  As WDFW came to us wanting our experience in the best way to perform this task, to a point of us teaching them best practices, we see this as a possibility of influencing the execution of this requirement. At least we get to cook our own egg.  Our other choice is to say "no", go sit in a corner, and WDFW does their thing with no input/influence.