Tom Cook enjoying the great outdoors |
My
youth was spent in the heart of the wild Rockies of Northwest
Montana. An early interest was sparked, roughly 35 years
ago, upon fulfilling my first big game tag. I became avid
in hunting, fishing, hiking, and the outdoors.
A
strong desire to express my appreciation in God’s
creatures had begun my initial hobby in producing custom
panels for antler plaque mounts of my own deer and elk. In
the years to come, my plaque mounts progressed into bear
rugs and shoulder mounts.
My
hunting and wildlife passion became an obsession. Each
spare moment was spent critiquing my work as well as the
works of others.
Close
taxidermy friends lent a helping hand in expanding my early
career knowledge. I learned, and obtained an eye for each
animal’s unique, amazing, and individual characteristics.
Now,
my trained eye for patterns and clean lines demands perfection.
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My
goal is to recreate a life-like, realistic view of each
animal. These animals do not leave my facility until they
are recreated to be as close to as in the wild as possible.
I
attended a formal big game taxidermy school. My taxidermy
experience has now been strong and thriving for years.
The spectrums of recreations vary from trophy deer to wild
sheep and big bulls to badgers.
I
use materials and forms from well known taxidermy supply
companies. Forms are altered and enhanced for custom fits
for that incredible life-like look.
Thomas E. Cook |
Tom
working on a current project
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