From the Bench
Project diaries, technique notes, and the long-form stories behind specific mounts that came through our studio.
A taxidermy studio is, in the end, a place where stories accumulate. The hunt that took eight years to plan. The fish that was thought lost to freezer burn. The grizzly that came in three boxes from Alaska. These are the ones worth writing down.
From the Bench — the essentials
Six articles, hand-picked from the Stehling archive, that answer the questions hunters and collectors most often ask in this category.
Bering Sea Custom Water Build
Part one of a multi-chapter project diary on one of our most ambitious water builds.
Read more →Our Photo Gallery
A working archive of finished mounts, organized by category, year, and project.
Read more →A Brief History of the Studio
How a one-room shop in 1978 became the studio it is today — in three short chapters.
Read more →Restoration Stories
The before-and-after of mounts that were brought back from the brink of being thrown out.
Read more →A Day on the Floor
A walk through the studio at midday, station by station, told in long form.
Read more →Client Stories & Testimonials
In their own words — hunters, families, and institutions on what they brought us and why.
Read more →∞
Stories on the bench
Frequently asked
The questions we answer most often, drawn from real conversations on the studio floor.
How often do you publish new entries?
When a project deserves the long-form treatment. We do not run on a publishing schedule; we run on whatever is interesting on the bench that month.
Can I suggest a story?
Yes. Hunters frequently send in the long version of the hunt that produced the trophy on our floor. We weave those into the project notes when permission is given.
Will my mount be featured?
Only with your permission. Every project diary that names a client or a hunt is published with explicit consent.
Where else can I follow studio updates?
Our gallery is the most current visual archive, and our newsletter goes out periodically. Sign up through our contact page.
Do you ever write about technique?
Yes — sparingly. Some technique pieces are written for hunters; others are written for fellow taxidermists.
Have a project in mind?
Whether you have a specific question about from the bench or you want to brief us on a trophy already on its way, we are happy to help.