Clayton Johnson

Owner / Operator Treeline Taxidermy

I have spent my whole life in the outdoors hunting, fishing and hiking in the mountains.  If I had to pick one thing I look forward to each year, it is backpack sheep hunting. I have been lucky enough to harvest several rams of my own and help a few good friends pack theirs out as well. 

My interest in taxidermy and tanning  started early in life. At 10 years of age I helped a local taxidermist build forms and prep them for mounts for a summer to pay off my first grizzly life  mount. Looking back, my efforts stopped short of covering the cost. 

 I carried on practice skinning, turning, fleshing and trying to understand tanning,  mounting small mammals and birds. I started putting stone sheep shoulder mounts together at 14 years of age. I guess you can say I have been doing taxidermy for 30 years at this point.

I became a ticketed carpenter not long out of high school by working for a local construction company for seven years, four years of which was my apprenticeship.  I then started a small construction company with a few employees all the while continuing to hone my taxidermy skills by spending time consulting and mentoring from a world-renowned taxidermist and friend.  Eventually, in 2009, I attended a very good school of tanning and taxidermy in Montana.

A couple of years later I built my 2000 square foot shop, specifically to facilitate the production of long-lasting wildlife art. I did this while still running my construction company and for about a year, working 16 - 18 hours a day was standard practice.

 I have dissolved my construction company and for the past six years I have been shipping mounts around the world and producing mounts for some lucky locals as well. Now I am working from home by myself for myself raising a family and doing what I have always wanted to do. I have had people tell me I am living the dream. 

I couldn't do all of this without the understanding of my wife, who supports all of my crazy ideas. I have been fortunate enough to have her plan two family vacations around the World Taxidermy and Fish Carving Championships, one in 2015 and again in 2017. I am not a competitive person but these shows offer the opportunity to admire all of the work submitted by the competitors and watch the judges critique them. The shows also offer the opportunity to take in dozens of seminars put on by past and present award-winning taxidermists as well as a huge trade show showcasing new products and allowing me the opportunity to network with suppliers.

My goal is to put together pieces for my clients in such a way that they can be passed down for generations to enjoy and keep the memories alive. I only use the highest quality materials and supplies available worldwide. That, coupled with my passion for perfection ensures that you will receive a mount that you will be proud to show and admire for years to come.