Turning trophies from the field into 'Art'

Being an outdoor writer has taken me to many places and adventures, but the best part of it all is the people I meet who readily share their special outdoor-related niche. While many of the folks I meet often entail planned adventures, I am never surprised when things happen in a very fortuitous manner, and I meet someone totally out of the blue. And nope, folks, I’m none too shy at all about striking up a conversation with total strangers!

Such was the case while I was recently picking up packaged venison at Outback Meats of Snover, and I spotted a young lady clad in well-worn bib overalls, hoody and an orange stocking cap crossing the parking lot and carrying a European skull mount of a dandy buck. Upon greeting her, I asked if the skull was hers, and she replied no, it was for one of her customers. She then handed me her business card which stated, “Custom Skulls by Cass”, and she told me what all else she did, which sure perked my interest.

Seeing as Cass Gordon of Snover was busy right then, we agreed to meet back at Outback Meats the next day, and she would show me some examples of her work, which I found to be very impressive, and at reasonable rates. Cass offers the typical European skull mounts, as well as “flannel-wrapped” skull caps on a plaque (she can provide the flannel, or the customer can from an old shirt). She also performs hydro-dipping for those wishing for a colorful flare on the skulls.

What truly amazed me were the lighted mushrooms Cass can apply to skulls. She sculpts each mushroom and its stem by hand out of translucent polymer clay and lights them up using strings of LED lights, while creating hand-crafted moss, vines, ferns, leaves, flowers, bees and butterflies as needed to conceal the wires, with the batteries being stored out of sight on the back of the plaque. I can attest it is an eye catcher for sure and hydro dipping can also be applied.

Cass has always been fascinated with the bones and skulls of animals she has discovered on her many treks in the woods since she was a kid. She soon began to transform them into works of art, including complete skeletons of small animals. She would discover there would be a market for her artwork at craft shows and even farmers’ markets. Her move into doing deer skulls began with those she found in the woods, which is something she continues to do, and can even take buck skulls with partial antlers (the rest having been chewed away by rodents) and turn them into a thing of beauty. Doe skulls are also on the agenda, and it was the first time I have ever seen a button-buck skull (which Cass found in the woods) turned into something that would beautify a wall, by hydro dipping it with blue and white paint, adding seashells and calling it the “ocean button-buck”.

Cass begins her skull cleaning, which besides deer, can also include coyotes, by first boiling them until the flesh falls away and can be easily trimmed. This is followed by power washing to get in every crack and cranny, and ending with bleaching. If requested, it can be hydro dipped in a wide array of colors and patterns, as well as having LED lighting added. She has found there is quite a market for coyote skulls. I have a black bear skull resting on a bookshelf in my “man cave” that I believe being touched up with colorful mushroom lights, will make a tasteful addition.

Speaking of man caves, I have found that the full-shoulder mounts of several bucks, and one caribou bull can take up a lot of wall space, even when involving a cathedral ceiling. Several years ago, I opted to continue by using European skull mounts. I did a couple myself using mail-order plastic skulls, which only require using screws to attach individual antlers, and

while they look fine on the wall, I can readily tell they are plastic. Another problem with plastic skulls is the possible size difference between the actual skull and the “fits-all” plastic version. Yep, folks, I’m sticking with “bona fide” buck skulls with their already attached antlers. Also, authentic European skull mounts can be accomplished by a professional in a matter of days whereas full-shoulder mounts can take up to several months.

I happen to have some skull caps from memorable bucks resting in a box and for whatever reason ended up being left there. I am planning on having them flannel-wrapped, as well I’m pondering having my next European skull mount featuring LED “nature mushroom lights”. Yep, folks, that will sure be a standout on the wall with the other mounts!

To contact Cass Gordon,

call (810) 404-4239 or

email her at cassgo43@gmail.com

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Tom Lounsbury

Tom Lounsbury has been an outdoor writer and photographer for more
than 40 years and has had his weekly radio show, “Tom Lounsbury
Outdoors” for more than 20 years. Tom grew up on a farm in
Michigan’s Thumb, and it is where his first outdoor adventures began
as a kid accompanying visiting pheasant hunters into the field during
the “pheasant hunting heyday” of the 1950’s and 1960’s. It is a passion
he still has to this day and being the 4 th generation to own the family
farm, he has put most of it into conservation programs with a focus on
wild pheasants, which in turn helps all wildlife.
Being an outdoor communicator, Tom appreciates all the outdoor
adventures he experiences in different places, and especially the
people he meets in which to share them.