About Us - Sportsman's Taxidermy Studio

James R. Benson

Master Taxidermist / Owner

Jim Benson grew up in East Grand Forks, MN and started doing taxidermy as a hobby when he was 14 years old. Since then, his appreciation for wildlife and nature has kept him in business. When he started Sportsman's Taxidermy Studio in 1979, he used the most up to date products and techniques available and combined them with special attention to detail. He still holds those traits today. He has made that combination of skill along with some improvements satisfy the most demanding clients. Jim truly believes that your hard earned trophy deserves the best job possible, giving you a piece of wildlife art that you will truly be proud to display.

Jim enjoys hunting everything from Coyotes in the frigid North Dakota winter prairie, to stalking African game with either gun or bow. He loves spending time on the nearby Red River in the summer catching Channel Catfish, and also visiting his hunting camp in Northern Minnesota for Whitetail Deer, Ducks, Geese, and Grouse. Jim also enjoys spending days in the field with his seven year old Black Lab "Molly", and loves hunting all species of waterfowl and upland game with her.

Mike Cobert

Master Taxidermist

Mike started working part time at Sportsman's Taxidermy in 1986. It wasn't long before it became clear that he was a talented taxidermist. He has entered many competitions at the state and international level and always takes home the Blue Ribbon. He has taken many awards for his deer and game head work as well as his birds. His attention for detail and superior craftsmanship show through in every mount he does.

Mike has hunted in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada. When he's not hunting you can find him shooting skeet or sporting clays.

Marc Hodge

Taxidermist

Marc Hodge grew up in Grand Forks, ND and started at Sportsman's Taxidermy Studio in 2004. Since then, Marc has picked up very quick on the art of taxidermy that has been taught by Jim and Mike. He has a steady patience for time consuming work and has a firm grasp on the attention to detail aspect of the job. He has competed at two state competitions and has done very well. Marc started fishing at a young age and has loved being on the water his whole life. He enjoys visiting his family's cabin in Central Minnesota in the summer and spending all the time he can on the water. Marc was just introduced to hunting by Jim and Mike after he started working at the Studio. He picked up on the skills quick and likes the challenge of both hunting and shooting for sport.

Andy Lundbohm

Taxidermist Apprentice

Andy Lundbohm grew up in Roseau, MN and is currently working with Jim to become a taxidermist. He is very skilled with a knife and does exceptional work when it comes to prepping trophies for mounting. He spends almost every moment on the waters of Lake of the Woods in the summer as a highly respected fishing guide based out of the Northwest Angle of Minnesota. Andy hopes to combine his passion for hunting and fishing with taxidermy and is already producing some very fine work so early in his career. Andy plans on coming back and working with us after the 2006 fishing season.

Matt Jones

Taxidermist Apprentice

Matt Jones grew up in Apple Valley, MN. As a kid he grew up hunting and fishing in Minnesota and traveling to places in the Mid-West with his father and five brothers in search of fish and game. His search for higher education and passion for waterfowl hunting brought him to Grand Forks, North Dakota. He spends as much time as possible hunting the prairie's potholes for ducks and geese. Combining those field observation skills with a natural ability he holds allows him to produce some very impressive work. He took home two first place ribbons with the first ducks he entered in the North Dakota Taxidermy Association competition. He is continuously trying new ideas and improving his skills.

The Studio

The Shop