Art of the kill
Leland Reinier skins a mule deer that is expected to gross a 217 rating, but net a 196 because of deformities in its rack. The ratings come from measuring the points on the rack, following a strict criteria. This particular buck has a “kicker” that counts against its overall score. Reinier called large bucks like this one “Toads.” Enlarge photo
November 10, 2007
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Leland Reinier cleans a skin before salting it. The mounting process begins with skinning the cape, turning it inside out, salting it to preserve it and then hanging it to dry. It is then sent to a tanner. Next, Reinier prepares and mounts the cape for a finished product.
This is Leland Reinier’s 307th shoulder-mount of the year. The end of the third hunting season is also his busiest time of the year. He gets work from around the world, with people sending him work from as far as New Zealand and Africa. “It’s a remembrance of the hunt, of the experience,” he said.
Leland Reinier salts one of the many capes he’s working on this week. Reinier will salt the capes twice, letting them sit for a day between saltings, and then hang them to dry. The process takes three days for each cape before Reinier sends them to a tanner in preparation for mounting.
A finished elk hangs on Leland Reinier’s wall. He works on many different animals, but cats are his true passion, and he is able to work on about 20 mountain lions a year.
Craig — Leland Reinier opened Big Cat Taxidermy four years ago in Craig. His father, Bob Reinier, is also a taxidermist and operates his own business, B&L Quality Taxidermy, in Steamboat Springs.
“I’m the L in B&L,” Leland joked.
Leland was drawn to wild life art and photorealism at an early age, and even received an offer to go to the Art Institute of Colorado in Denver before deciding on the Colorado Institute of Taxidermy Training, graduating in 1997.
“Taxidermy really is an art form. There is a process, but it is an art form,” he said.
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Question of the week
Moffat County rancher Rodney Culverwell begins his jury trial Monday on charges of poaching elk on his property. He contends he was protecting his property. What do you believe the trial’s outcome should be?
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