Risher gets surprise visit from Field and Stream magazine

Outdoors

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Monica Risher stands next to some of her award winning work at her taxidermy shop. Photo by Julie Clark

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December 4, 2009

By Julie Clark - Sports editor The Daily Iowegian Fri Dec 04, 2009, 11:53 AM CST

In just under nine years Monica Risher has made quite the at-home career for herself in taxidermy. Not a typical women’s job, Risher has found a way to make money while being at home with her three daughters and a couple of weeks ago she received a surprise visit from Field and Stream magazine. Columnist Scott Bestul and Dave Hurteau have just returned back to the office from an eight-day bowhunt in southern Iowa. In between morning and evening hunts, they dropped in on Risher Taxidermy. A blog entitled, “200 reasons to get back in your tree stand” can be found on Field and Stream’s Web Site.

“I worked in a factory for five years and knew that I didn’t want to spend my whole life there. It was a good job, but my husband and I were ready to start a family and I wanted to be able to be at home with them,” said Risher.

Interest is what inspired Risher to get started in field. “I went to Missouri and learned the basics from a guy that was getting out of it. From there I just practiced a lot,“ said Risher.

Risher likes the variety that her job has, with mammals being her favorite because they can be cute. “I like the mammals the best, but they are definitly more work.

Risher says she spends about 12-16 hours on each mounting, but the time is spread out because of drying time in Iowa weather. “The drying time can take two-three weeks. Risher also sends the hide out to be tanned so that takes time.

Risher is running 10-12 months behind and since November she has been working catching up with last year’s deer season.

When a customer decides that they want to preserve an animal they bring it in, pick a pose and then Risher gets their information and a deposit. From there Risher does eye to nose measurements and then skins the animal and measures the rest of the animal. The flesh has to be cleaned out, split and turn the ears, eyes, nose and lips. Risher then salts the hide and sends it to the tannery.

There is plenty left to do at her shop though. She cleans the rack, tags the rack and the cape. When it comes back it is ready to be mounted.

It is an artistry with sewing, posing, painting and adding natural habitat to the mount.

“When I have done several deer I like to change to fish and after so many fish it’s nice to go back to deer,” said Risher.

Risher has two mounts on display. One at Lake Miami in Albia she recently finished was an otter. The other she has on display is a bobcat at Honey Creek Resort.

The biggest deer that she has ever had to work on is coming soon from a guy that placed sixth in the state in Boone and Crockett archery kill. It is a 204 inch buck. “He is still deciding how he wants it posed,” said Risher.

Risher can be found just north of Clarkdale or by contacting her at (641)647-2648.