News

What an exciting year here at Lone Leaf! The hunting season of 2009 was one of the best years yet, and I can’t wait to see what will come through the doors this next season.

I have continued to compete in 2010 and have done extremely well winning (14) major awards in both Ohio and West Virginia. Checks out my awards page to view my entries. Many of the awards were won with my customers mounts.

Believing education is the key to becoming better, I have taken many new classes in taxidermy with some of the best. Two-time world champion (Kent Stryker) in life-size mammals, world renown fish taxidermist (Rick Krane), world champion whitetail deer judge (Cary Cochran), state and national champion with whitetail deer (Brian Knight), state champion bird taxidermist (Ryan Dolan), and 2009 world champion whitetail deer (Ed Piakowski). There is only one way to get better: by surrounding yourself with others who are successful.

Taking these courses has dramatically improved my abilities as an artist with new understanding. I can assure you that there will always be a need to become better, and here at Lone Leaf I want to be a leader in the taxidermy industry. With the most innovative and cutting edge products my customers are ensured quality that will last a lifetime.

A special thanks to all those who continue to support and refer others to me. Without you I would not be where I am today. I will personally guarantee that I will do all that is in my power to delivery more in the art of taxidermy than ever before. I look forward to your next visit and wish all a safe and successful season.

God Bless,
Casey Watterson

It's been a while since my last update on my website, but let me fill you in on some very exciting changes here at Lone Leaf.

In the spring of 2008, I entered my first taxidermy competition at the Ohio Taxidermy Championships and did relatively well. Competing in that show lit a spark in me to become better and to push myself harder than ever before. Following the competition, I was nominated and voted onto the board of the Ohio Taxidermy Association. It is quite an honor.

In the fall of 2008, I also became a contributing writer for Ohio Outdoor News, writing two articles pertaining to the taxidermy industry. "Field Care" and "Whether to Have an Animal Mounted or Not" were the topics.

This past spring, however, has been a whirlwind of excitement as I did very well in the Ohio, West Virginia, and World Taxidermy Championships, winning best all-around taxidermist for the state of Ohio and best all-around professional taxidermist for the state of West Virginia. Check out the pictures of my entries on the awards page and see what you think.

I was also asked to present a business seminar at the Ohio show that went very well. Now I'm getting ready for my seminar in 2010.

I feel as though my hard work is finally paying off. It's been a long and difficult road, but it has been one worth traveling. I have become very close friends with many of my clients and have very strong relationships with many in my trade. I truly am blessed, even when things are difficult, to have many that I can count on. With difficult economic times, it's hard to predict what the future may hold, and ultimately it is out of my control. I have learned to focus only on the task at hand and the rest is in God's hands.

I want to thank all of you for your continued support and your friendships. I also want to thank my wife for her unconditional support. She has been my foundation on many occasions. A special thanks to Chip Gross for his friendship as well as his photography shown on my awards page. He is truly a gifted writer and photographer. Check out his website on my links page.

God Bless!
Casey Watterson