Seth Boutte’s waterfowl creations

05/29/2026

One of 3 on the board

05/25/2026

Floppy feet who got a ring neck and likes this pose 👀👀👀

05/23/2026

What’s the coolest hybrid???

05/23/2026

05/22/2026

New hats came in

05/19/2026

Back in the shop after competing this weekend let’s get this list done!!!!!

05/19/2026

Wood duck drake

05/17/2026

First show in the books

05/15/2026

Yall stay tuned this weekend

05/11/2026

I get asked a lot how I got started in taxidermy, and honestly, it’s a story that means a lot to me.

My dad started taxidermy at a young age. Over the years, he built himself into an incredible taxidermist and eventually turned it into a successful full-time business. Growing up, I was always around it — the shop, the tools, the mounts, the early mornings, and the late nights. Taxidermy was just a part of life in our family.

When I was 16 years old, my dad finally decided it was time to teach me the basics of mounting ducks. I remember learning from him step by step, trying to understand the process and all the little details that went into making a bird look alive again. I mounted 3 ducks, but at the time, I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was young and interested in other things, so I walked away from it and never really looked back.

In March of 2025, my dad unexpectedly passed away. Losing him changed everything for me. Along with all the memories and lessons he left behind, he also left me his toolbox — the same tools he used for years building a name for himself and creating mounts that people were proud to hang on their walls.

After he passed, something in me changed. I can’t really explain it, but I felt pulled back toward taxidermy. Maybe it was wanting to feel close to him again, or maybe it was realizing how much knowledge and passion he poured into this craft over the years. Whatever it was, I knew I had to give it another shot.

Starting over without my dad here has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There have been a lot of frustrating days, a lot of mistakes, and a lot of moments where I wished I could ask him questions or hear his opinion. But through all of it, I kept going. I’ve also been blessed to have another taxidermist willing to help guide me, answer questions, and push me to keep improving.

Every bird I work on teaches me something new. Every mount reminds me why this craft matters so much to the people who do it. And every time I step into the shop, I feel like a small piece of my dad is still there with me.

This year, I’ll be competing in the Louisiana Taxidermists Association show. To some people it may just look like a competition, but to me it means a whole lot more than that. It represents where I started, where I quit, what I lost, and the journey of finding my way back.

I’m still learning every day, but I’m proud to carry on something my dad loved so much. I only hope I can continue building a legacy that would make him proud.