About Taxidermy Workshop

Welcome to Taxidermy Workshop

About us

Before Taxidermy Workshop was evolved, it was called Taxidermy Direct. Taxidermy Direct was a software that assists taxidermists with customer data retention, general invoicing, and compliance with your local wildlife regulation office.

Ryan Olson, Landon Schutter, and Shawn Wayne were originally clients of Taxidermy Direct, before purchasing the company in late 2020. Ryan, Landon, and Shawn were on the hunt for software to help Ryan’s taxidermist shop “go digital”, in hopes to save much time that was wasted on never-ending paperwork.

We reached out to taxidermy direct and started our trial. We quickly enjoyed the software as it seemed to have everything we needed. After getting familiar with the software, we began to wonder how we could make this software function better for us. We live in Michigan and are regulated by the DNR. A taxidermist must fill out a special specimen tag that can only be purchased from Michigan DNR. This tag requires all the information that is taken down upon customer entry into Taxidermy Direct. So, we reached out to the developers for Taxidermy Direct and asked if we could get some development done to allow us to print on these carbon copy tags.

At that point, we figured out that the old owners of Taxidermy Direct, John Jennings and his wife Sara, wanted to sell so they could retire. John and Sara explained to us, we were offered the sale because of our drive to make the software better, not only for us but for others.

We will be trying to make this software as streamline as possible to achieve the goals of all our customers. With that spirit in mind, please send any suggestions or “wish-list” items that you would like to see changed about our software to this email info@taxidermyworkshop.com.

Our Team

Shawn Wayne

Hi, my name is Shawn Wayne. I am an equal owner in Taxidermy Workshop LLC. I have a long-standing love for the outdoors, whether it's fishing, hunting, or just riding ATVs in the woods. Being outdoors is where I find myself enjoying some of my fondest memories. I try to incorporate my family as much as I can into my love for the outdoors. I have a wife and three daughters that love to ride ATVs together. The kids and I enjoy fishing together and I look forward to the years when they finally gain interest in hunting. I am an IT professional by trade. I have been working in the IT field for 13 years. I own and operate a WISP, which provides internet to rural areas. Along the way I have learned much about IT, as well as how to offer good support. My goal is to use my experience in IT and love for the outdoors to make Taxidermy Workshop the best it can be for its customers.

Ryan Olson

Hello, my name is Ryan Olson. I have been a full-time taxidermist since 2006. My love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and conservation led me to this profession. I get great satisfaction out of seeing finished pieces in the hands of my customers. Their excited reactions push me to work harder and perfect my trade. Since the development of Taxidermy Workshop, I have been able to focus more on my customers, and the creative components of taxidermy. I spend less time and energy working through invoices and paperwork and more time on the detail of my pieces. My expertise in the field of Taxidermy and commercialized Taxidermy has allowed me to provide great input and feedback in the creation of Taxidermy Workshop.

Landon Schutter

Hi, my name is Landon Schutter, CFO of Taxidermy Workshop LLC. I have a life-long interest in conservation, outdoor life and learning about how many species of animals live in the wild. For years I have been an avid hunter and fisherman with my many area friends. At an early age I found myself willing and able to take the lead in dressing my own and my buddy’s game. After graduating Portage Central high school I attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Then after working in several industries I found my passion in taxidermy. Since then I have been working with Ryan Olson at a Sportsman’s Dream taxidermy. I enjoy bringing my subjects back to life-like trophies through color, tapestry, and art. My philosophy is to find something you are great at…serve others….and work hard to add value. My wife, Betsie and I are blessed with twins, a boy Sawyer and girl Avery and we love being part of this community.