Most clients at landmark Darby taxidermy are from out of state – NBC Montana

Now
38°
Mon
67°
Tue
65°
by Kevin Maki
DARBY, Mont. – Big Bear Taxidermy, Tannery and Rug is doing brisk business in Darby. It's been a mainstay in the south valley for decades, and is said to be the oldest fur dressing tannery in Montana.
When it began, it catered mostly to Montana hunters, although it also received exotic wildlife from elsewhere. It's still a stop for local sportsmen and women, but business is growing from across the country.
"I think less than 10 percent is local," said owner John Wood. "Most of it is out of state."
Wood thinks many Montanans are still working through the recession. People are still "holding their money," said the taxidermist.
Wood's grandparents bought the business from its original owner, Larry Rose. Rose is Darby's town marshal.
Wood began learning taxidermy skills by helping his grandfather as a youngster. Now he and his wife, Vanessa, have taken the business over.
The young couple enjoys seeing Montana sportsmen face to face, when they walk in the door. But Big Bear is attracting more out of state clients than ever before.
Vanessa said most of their commerce is now done over the phone.
"All over the United States," she said. "They come from Wyoming, Texas, Colorado and Louisiana."
There are a lot of hunters from Alaska, and even Norway, she said.
Business is generated by word of mouth, from local guides, more intensive advertising, and the internet.
"With the networking that we have today, that wasn't available 10 years ago," she said. "We're tapping into those. So it's good."
The shop provides basic tanning services. Big Bear processes rugs, and builds shoulder and life-sized mounts. There's a waiting list.
"Rugs are about four to five months out," said John. "Life-size are a year, to a year and a half out."
Six full time employees work on everything from coyotes to zebras. The shop occasionally sees wildlife from Africa.
The shop is filled with bears, and myriad other regional wildlife, and is getting more wolves than ever.
The Woods see their global business as a vital asset to the local economy, especially to Darby, where hunting is an important part of local culture.
2026 Sinclair, Inc.

source