A Lifetime of Experience

The Early Years

I began my career in taxidermy when I was just 15 years old and walked into Heist Studio of Taxidermy in San Francisco California. It was there that I fell in love with taxidermy. As soon as I was able, I started work there and stayed at Heist Studio of Taxidermy for eight years. Then, to add to my experience I went to work for New Method Fur Tannery which was in South San Francisco. During the three years that I was there I learned how to cure and tan hides.

Colburn Studios

I found I needed more challenges so I went to Los Angeles and began to work for Colburn Studios in Hollywood. Colburn Studios mounted all of the animals in Disneyland and the animals that were used in the original jungle book movie years before. At Colburn Studios I learned to do birds, African mounts, and head mounts of all kinds. While I was there I worked part-time for Bishoff Taxidermy assisting in the mounting of Roy Rogers horse Trigger. Both of these taxidermy businesses did major taxidermy for the movie stars and big-game hunters of the era.

In 1980 I started Chuck’s Taxidermy in San Diego California. While I was operating my business I also volunteered as a taxidermist for Cuyanaca State Park Museum.

Albany Oregon

In 2008 I came north to Oregon and settled in Albany where I started Chuck’s Taxidermy Albany OR.

In addition to providing taxidermy services to customers in Oregon, I also volunteer my evaluation and cleaning services to the Jensen Arctic Museum at Western Oregon University in Monmouth Oregon.

Chuck Tennant in his taxidermy workshop in Albany, Oregon.

Chuck with museum big game animals

Chuck with Roben Jack Larrison, Curator of the Jensen Arctic Museum