As you walk the halls of the Safari Club International Convention, you never know what type of hunt, taxidermy, or art you will encounter. Image my surprise as I walked up to what seemed to be a beautifully preserved bald eagle and saw a “for sale” sign. Wait! That’s impossible. It’s even illegal for most people to possess feathers or parts from our national symbol.
Ironically, what I saw wasn’t a mounted bird, but an artistic replica made from castings and dyed feathers from other birds. The artistic rendering at the Todd Lowe booth was a show-stopper and throughout the day, SCI visitors ogled at the work and asked questions.
The bald eagle looked so realistic because its beak and feet are castings from real bird parts sent to a national eagle repository. If a bald eagle is found dead, it’s carcass is sent to this depository by state wildlife agencies. Then, the feathers and usable parts are distributed to Native American tribes and artists around the country.
A Jim Day Creation
Until recently, owning a mount of this beautiful creature has been illegal, even one done by a taxidermist. Jim Day has spent the last 20 years perfecting this eagle creation project. He paints, trims, irons, and shapes each feature to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Every eagle comes with a certificate of authenticity and is banded with a Federal Eagle Band. Jim Day can also be commissioned to do owls, endangered waterfowl, and other bird species. Contact www.wildlifeinteriors.com
