Taking a shot at expanding on the one-stop shopping concept, Phillip and Laura Taylor of Realistic Taxidermy in Lowell, are helping south Lake County deer hunters save time and money this season.
A taxidermist for 24 years, the company owned by Phillip Taylor and his wife Laura, who adds the artistic touches to his work, have become a check-in station for deer hunters.
"We're trying to get it all under one roof," Phillip Taylor said, noting that south Lake County bow hunters have been grateful for a closer check-in station that also dresses the meat and stores it in a walk-in cooler. It is then processed by Hobart Locker Plant for convenience unless the hunter wishes to have it processed elsewhere.
The Taylors, assisted by son Jim, say they expect to be even busier now that deer gun season opened Saturday.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has increased the number of doe permits to eight from four in Lake County due to their expanding population.
One buck is permitted.
As a result, they have seen more deer checked in, particularly does, Laura Taylor said.
"I knew there was a void," Phillip Taylor said, listing check-in stations in Lowell, Crown Point and Cedar Lake which have closed in recent years. "Blythes in Griffith and Gander Mountain (Hobart) are the closest ones," he said.
That has meant that, until this season, deer hunters had to haul their deer to a distant check-in station, costing them time many didn't have as well as money for gas, also sometimes lacking.
Laura Taylor said hunting is one way to put food on the family table in tough economic times, and she has seen more people turning to hunting as a way to make ends meet. "You pay $65 for processing, and you can get 100 pounds of meat from a doe," she said. Venison is prepared the same as beef but is healthier and lower in cholesterol, she said..
Phillip Taylor said some of the deer checked in to Realistic Taxidermy have not been properly handled in the field. That's why new hunters can buy a video produced by the Taylors entitled, "Skinning and Gutting a Deer," which illustrates the proper safe handling of deer meat in the field, an important aspect of the hunting experience.
While visiting Realistic Taxidermy, some hunters and their families are invited to take in the 1800-square-foot showroom housed in the same building as the check-in station and dressing area. The showroom contains a wide variety of animals, birds and fish on display. Ralph Witt, of rural Lowell, a veteran hunter, is excited about Realistic Taxidermy's offerings.
"This way, I don't have to drive so far north or south. ... I work midnights, and it's hard. I try to hunt afternoons, and if I'm lucky enough to get a deer, I don't have time to drive far," he said.
"Not only is it checked-in, but it's dressed and goes in a cooler for Hobart to process, and if it's a trophy (buck) they can mount it. Everything is there."
Realistic Taxidermy
Location: 14820 Chestnut, West Creek Township (near the Indiana/Illinois state line)
Phone: (219) 696-4219
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week
Owners: Phillip and Laura Taylor and their son Jim
How long in business: 20 years
The Taylors recommend hunters and others wanting to stop by call in advance for specific directions, as it is a difficult Lowell address to find.
Processing and storing deer meat
Pete Uremovich, proprietor of the family business, Hobart Lock Plant & Meats, said more than 300 deer were processed last season, and he expects as many or more this year.
The venison processing is handled by one employee who does it after regular hours, he said.
The business has a Crown Point address and Hobart telephone number. It is located at 8602 Randolph St., Crown Point. The phone is (219) 942-5952.
