Stehling’s Taxidermy: From Family Tradition to Industry Innovation
Exploring Wisconsin: Stehlings Taxidermy’s Two Locations
Founding Vision (1978)
Stehling’s Taxidermy was founded in 1978 by Greg Stehling, who began training in the art of taxidermy in the 1970s. With a background as a trained industrial engineer, Greg brought a unique perspective to the craft. He combined the precision and efficiency of industrial engineering with the artistry of taxidermy, creating a perfect balance of technical mastery and creative expression.
While he explored all areas of taxidermy in those early years, Greg discovered his true passion in fish taxidermy. His skill and efficiency quickly established him as one of the premier fish taxidermists in the nation. Word spread rapidly, and soon Stehling’s Taxidermy developed a thriving wholesale fish taxidermy business, mounting specimens shipped in from taxidermists across the country. Fish were sent to Wisconsin, expertly mounted, and then returned to shops nationwide — making Stehling’s a name recognized well beyond its home state.
The Wholesale Years
Greg’s sons, Aaron and Austin Stehling, grew up immersed in the business. From an early age, they developed a passion for taxidermy, working alongside their father and contributing to thousands of fish mounts each year. As the business expanded, the wholesale model grew to include birds, turkeys, game animals, and even freeze-dried specimens.
During this era, Stehling’s became a powerhouse in taxidermy production. Thousands of specimens annually passed through their shop, destined for sportsmen, museums, nature centers, universities, biological supply companies, and even other taxidermists. In fact, many of the mounts seen in trophy rooms, educational exhibits, and displays across the nation were crafted by the Stehling family.
A Strategic Shift to Retail
After decades of wholesale dominance, Stehling’s made a pivotal decision: to transition from primarily wholesale production to direct retail work. Instead of mounting specimens for other taxidermists, the business began working directly with hunters, anglers, museums, nature centers, and major corporate clients.
To support this new vision, Stehling’s Taxidermy constructed a state-of-the-art facility in Jefferson, WI, which now serves as the corporate headquarters and main production center. The success of this retail-first model led to further expansion, including a Green Bay, WI location, which started as a massive showroom and drop-off site. Its rapid growth has paved the way for plans to build a full standalone shop and showroom in the Green Bay market.
Today, Stehling’s Taxidermy is proud to serve a diverse client base — from individual sportsmen to world-renowned organizations like Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, and Texas Roadhouse — all while maintaining the same level of craftsmanship and family tradition that has defined the business for nearly five decades.
Embracing Technology and Education
Innovation has always been at the heart of Stehling’s. In 2016, the company launched Taxidermy Insider (taxidermyinsider.com) — the first complete online training platform for taxidermists. With a subscription-based streaming model, Taxidermy Insider has trained taxidermists around the globe, bringing professional-level education to a new generation of artists.
Beyond training, Stehling’s also helped fellow taxidermists and outdoor businesses succeed in the digital age, developing hundreds of websites and marketing campaigns tailored to the industry.
Taxidermy Meets AI: The Next Era
As Stehling’s Taxidermy moves into 2026 and beyond, the business continues to lead the industry into uncharted territory: artificial intelligence in taxidermy.
Building on over 50 years of experience and relationships with thousands of taxidermists, Stehling’s has developed advanced AI models that can:
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Predict specimen preservation patterns with remarkable accuracy
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Enhance production workflows for greater speed and consistency
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Monitor quality control through AI-powered applications
This blending of tradition and technology represents the latest chapter in Stehling’s ongoing story — not just preserving wildlife, but pushing the boundaries of what taxidermy can achieve in the modern age.
Continuing the Legacy
Through every era — from Greg’s pioneering wholesale business to today’s thriving retail shops and AI-driven innovations — one thing has remained constant: Stehling’s Taxidermy’s commitment to excellence.
The mounts produced today for hunters, anglers, museums, and corporations reflect the same dedication to craftsmanship and storytelling that Greg instilled from the very beginning. With Aaron and Austin carrying forward the family legacy, Stehling’s Taxidermy remains not only a leader in the field, but also a living testament to how tradition, innovation, and family can shape an industry.
✨ Stehling’s Taxidermy isn’t just part of taxidermy history — it’s shaping the future of the craft.
