Mike's Custom Taxidermy

You only get one shot, Aim for the best!

Company History

After several years of honing his skills Mike Ohlmann officially hung out his shingle in 1981. The company name and slogan clearly defined their goals. To prove his skills Mike entered his first National Taxidermy Competition in 1982 and received a 1st place ribbon. He went on to win over 40 awards by 1986. In 1985 Mike was the first taxidermist to receive The National Taxidermist Assn's Certification as a "Master" in all categories and was awarded the Natl. Taxidermist Assn’s Award of Excellence in 1987.

Clint Blackburn joined the company as an apprentice in 1987 and, under Mike’s tutelage quickly developed his talents, winning his first competition award in 1988 and by 1992 had also been recognized as a "master" in several categories. He became the shop foreman in 1992 and a partner in 2004.

Conservation and the protection and promotion of hunting have always been a high priority to the company, which has subsequently supported many related organizations. Mike was a founding member of: The Kentucky Taxidermy Assn, the first SCI, RMEF, and NWTF chapters in Kentucky. In 1991 Clint conceived the idea of Hunters For the Hungry. That fall with the help and support of many friends, clients and associates Mike's Custom Taxidermy became the first company to collect and distribute venison to the needy. Hunters for the Hungry has grown and spread across the nation.

The Mike's Custom Taxidermy client list includes a number of museums and nationally recognized wildlife displays. The studio continues to design and build custom high quality mounts for discriminating clients from as far away as Saudi Arabia and throughout North America and much of the United States.

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Though mostly retired from competition taxidermy, a client recently requested a "competition winning mount" for his 2003 opening day 15-point buck with a "still in velvet rack". The mount was completed and entered into competition winning a 1st place in the Masters Category and a bonus of the Masters Division’s "Most Original & Creative Presentation Award" Presented by the Cabela’s owned Van Dykes Taxidermy Supply Company.

Mike continues to serve the industry as Chairman of the National Taxidermist Hall of Fame and Museum Foundation, is a life member of the NRA, Safari Club International Foundation, and is Chairman of Kentucky Hunters For the Hungry.