NATCHEZ — Natchez native Lucien Gwin took home hardware from the Mississippi State Taxidermy Association convention on April 8 in Pearl.

Gwin competed in the professional division and won first place and best of category in the waterfowl division in his first show submission.

“I feel like I’m the only guy in the (Miss-Lou) area who specializes in waterfowl,” Gwin said.

Gwin estimated there were approximately 50 mounts in the show and approximately seven in his division. Most were taxidermists around Mississippi.

Gwin works full time at the sheriff’s office and does professional taxidermy on the side. He started because he wanted to mount his own trophies approximately five years ago.

“I do all animals,” Gwin said. “But my specialty is waterfowl. That’s my favorite thing, I would say.”

The piece Gwin submitted to the show in Jackson was a duck. Gwin said he prefers the attention to detail required in mounting waterfowl.

“Duck hunting has always been my favorite,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of them, and I can replicate what they look like in the wild.”

Gwin said judges awarded mounts based on how natural and clean the mount looked, in addition to small details, such as the placement of the copper in the eye sockets.

“It’s hard to get the feathers laid down right,” Gwin said. “If you don’t have the mount completely clean, it won’t fit into place.”

Gwin said he taught himself taxidermy approximately five years ago. It was a messy hobby to start.

“I watched videos on the internet and taught myself,” said Gwin. “Once you get the hang of it, it’s not too bad.”

Gwin said he finds waterfowl are easier to mount, although fellow taxidermists have told him birds tend to be more difficult, because of the detail required to keep the feathers clean.

“To me, it’s the easiest,” Gwin said. “I’ve mounted more ducks than anything else, and I’ve also watched more ducks than I have anything else.”

After having so much success in his first taxidermy show, Gwin said he would like to compete in more shows in the future.