Meet the Taxidermist
Cole Whilting
Hey, I’m Cole Whitling, the guy behind Creekside Taxidermy!
For as long as I can remember, the outdoors has been my second home. Whether I’m scouting for whitetails, tuning broadheads, or running trail cameras in the summer, to hunting small game, bear, turkey, or elk in the Colorado mountains, being in the wild is where I truly feel at peace. For me, there’s a big difference between just being a hunter and being an outdoorsman—and I proudly consider myself the latter.
I’ve always been someone who loves to work with my hands. Back in high school, I was obsessed with metal and wood shop. I made everything from coffee tables and dressers to swings and live-edge tables. In fact, I even sold a few of my creations to teachers and family friends who admired the quality and effort I put into each piece. I used the money I made to invest in myself, and bought tools and machines to continue my passions at home.
Intro to Taxidermy
My dive into taxidermy started back in high school when a friend of mine asked if I knew anyone who did European skull mounts. At the time, I had done a couple of my own, and thought, “Why not give it a shot for him?” After he saw the finished mount, he was ecstatic about the result and asked if he could send some more people my way. That’s how it all started—it was one European mount, then five, then twenty, and before long, it was turning into a full fledged business.
It wasn’t long before I started getting requests for shoulder mounts, something I hadn’t really considered before, but, knowing I could combine my love for the outdoors with a hands-on craft, I was all in. After graduating high school in 2020, I enrolled to Western Pennsylvania School of Taxidermy in Oliveburg, PA. During the two-month course, I got the chance to work on all kinds of projects including 3 deer, a life-size fox, 3 birds, 3 fish, a strutting turkey, and a coyote rug shell. I walked away from the experience with a ton of new skills and an even deeper passion for the craft.
Today, I run Creekside Taxidermy with the goal of always providing the highest quality work possible. To me, taxidermy isn’t just about putting an animal on the wall—it’s about preserving memories, capturing the essence of the hunt, and celebrating the outdoor experiences we cherish. Every mount I create is a personal project, and I never settle for “that's good enough.” If it’s not perfect, it’s not done.
As an active member of the Pennsylvania Taxidermy Association, I’m always learning and improving by working with some of the best artists in the industry. I constantly seek out new tips, techniques, and tools that I can use to enhance my craft and deliver better results. Whether I’m working on a European mount, a shoulder mount, or something more unique, I’m always pushing myself to get better and deliver pieces that my clients will be proud to hang on their walls.
What I’ve built with Creekside Taxidermy has surpassed anything I could have imagined when I first started. I feel incredibly lucky to work with people from all over the country, creating truly special pieces that represent their outdoor adventures. From preserving the memory of a great hunt to creating one-of-a-kind works of art, I’m honored to be a part of your journey.
A Hunter Himself
Cole with his bull elk in 2024. He harvested this trophy in Gunnison National Forest in Colorado. Staying true to his work ethic, he hunted hard for several days, at high elevations to successfully take this bull on public land, on a self-guided hunt.
We are more than just a taxidermy shop
At Creekside Taxidermy, we truly aim to to provide customers with the greatest experiences possible. Not only do we do taxidermy, but we sell taxidermy supplies, as well as top-notch sporting goods from small businesses you’ve probably never even heard of.
Born out of frustration and built with purpose, the Fetch-A-Fly is the ultimate streamside companion for fly fishermen of all skill levels. Designed by a self-taught angler and veteran in the heart of North Carolina’s High Country, this compact and rugged tool was made to solve one of fly fishing’s most common (and costly) problems—retrieving lost flies.
Key Features:
Collapses to 9.5" and extends to over 6 feet for easy carry and extended reach
Custom S-hook design helps recover flies from trees, branches, or between rocks
Lightweight and durable – fits easily in your pack or vest
Veteran-owned and operated, proudly designed in the USA
Whether you're a beginner learning the ropes or a seasoned guide on familiar water, the Fetch-A-Fly saves you time, money, and frustration. Spend less time retying and more time fishing.
Get your fly. Keep your flow. Fetch-A-Fly.
The mag band is the ideal fishing accessory for all fishermen.
It offers crazy strong rare earth magnets with a silicone slap band so its grip is both secure and weatherproof.
These mag bands have a wide range of useful applications and can be used on boat frames, to be used as rod or gun holders, straps, or to be worn on your wrist.
This cylindrical closed cell foam is most commonly used for bird necking material in bird taxidermy. However, it can also be used for feather setting, carding for fur, habitat work, and other endless uses.
Mix and Match! - every size is sold at $.50 per foot. (A qty. of 1 is 1 foot, and a qty. of 10 is 10 feet)
Lead times and shipping times may vary. Most sizes are in stock and ready to ship, however some sizes not commonly ordered are not inventoried, and may take up to 10 business days to ship.
All lengths ship coiled, and as a result may hold temporary memory. Use you hand as friction and pull down over the rod to re straighten.
Available sizes:
1/4”
3/8”
1/2”
5/8”
3/4”
1”
1 1/4”
Custom European Skulls
Creekside Taxidermy is excited and proud to bring you a bold, new, modern way to showcase your trophy antlers or sheds. These ultra-realistic display skulls, manufactured by JK Skulls, offer incredible detail and a clean, modern look - unlike anything else on you can find on the market.
Made for hunters who want their mounts to stand out, these skulls feature a built-in keyhole slot for easy wall or plaque mounting and come with a custom hardware kit to securely attach your antlers or sheds.
Why Choose these European Skulls?
Highly detailed & ultra realistic
Compatible with most antlers or sheds
Mounts easily to walls or plaques
Available painted or unpainted for custom creativity
Sold by very few distributors - you won’t find these in big-box stores
Handmade in small batches to keep high-quality
Whether you want a professionally finished look or a blank canvas to add your own style, these skulls are the perfect addition to your trophy room, cabin, or man cave.