Taxidermist couple win awards

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

Libby taxidermist Philip Soucy has returned from a national competition with more major awards than any other competitor.

His wife, Barbara, who two years ago took up taxidermy after learning the trade from her husband, also came home from the National Taxidermy Association's annual competition with a top award. It was Barbara Soucy's first competition.

Philip Soucy took the honors for his life-size mounts of a mountain lion and a leopard during the July 22 competition in Billings.

The 43-year-old owner of Philip Soucy Studios was the only one to take two, first-place awards in the large life-size mounts for the Division of Excellence with both lions.

Soucy also was named Taxidermist of the Year. He won the same award in 1995, which was the last time he competed at the national level. Soucy was only the second person in 35 years to win the award more than once.

He also received the People's Choice and Taxidermy Arts Supply awards for his mountain lion. He won a total of seven awards and more than $2,000 in cash and prizes.

For the mountain lion, he received awards for the North American Champion Large Mammals, the Moyle Mink and Tannery Award, and Taxidermists' Choice for Best Life-size Mammal. For the leopard, he received the Epo-Grip Taxidermist of the Year Award.

"I was happy," Soucy said. "It's good to know that after being out of (competition) for so long. It's just something we can build our reputation on."

Soucy killed the 145-pound mountain lion 13 years ago near Bonners Ferry, yet only got around to mounting it recently.

"Taxidermist are like the guy who pours concrete," Soucy said. "His driveway is full of potholes."

A taxidermist for 22 years who learned the trade in Texas, Soucy dedicated 120 hours to the mount. An artist from Russia hand-painted the eyes, which resemble a hollow sphere.

"Most eyes don't reflect light back like a real cat," Soucy said.

He mounted the animal on a twisted juniper snag he found in eastern Montana.

"It's got a tremendous amount of character," Soucy said.

He mounted the leopard for a customer in Colorado.

Barbara Soucy took a first place in the professional division for a life-size mount of a bobcat. Her son, Mike Ballard of Libby, last December killed the 32-pound cat in the Flower Creek area.

"I was pleased because it was my first competition," she said. "I had a pretty good instructor."

Barbara Soucy scored 92 points to receive the award, which requires a minimum of 90 points.

Philip Soucy in 1996 opened his taxidermy shop in Libby. He and his wife specialize in cats from all over the world. None of their work is local.

"Everything we do is shipped out," Philip Soucy said.

Over the years, he worked in shops and studios from Texas to Montana, giving him the chance to learn from some incredible taxidermists.

"I learned a lot from those guys, but I also spent a lot of nights and weekends working on competition pieces," he said.