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FREEBORN — For the past 48 years, Freeborn resident Craig Christenson has made his living preserving animals through taxidermy. From his studio on the edge of Freeborn Lake, he can enjoy the outdoors while putting together white tail deer, birds, fish and many other animals.

“This has been my passion for my whole life, practically,” Christenson said.

He got started in the practice at age 12 when he took a mail correspondence course on taxidermy.

Following high school, Christenson said he planned on becoming a wildlife biologist. However, his taxidermy business had been going very well so he decided to further pursue that. He built up his skills at a taxidermy studio and teaching space in Janesville, Wisconsin.

For about 15 years Christenson advertised his business at booths at local county fairs. This helped him get the word out and build up a steady clientele.

Although not a wildlife biologist, Christenson said he spends a lot of time studying the animals he preserves, learning about their habitats, anatomy and behaviors to make the most lifelike pieces possible.

“Every animal is different,” he said.

Christenson said it takes an artist’s eye and skill to preserve an animal correctly, but he does not consider himself an artist, although he said people have called him one.

“I just have a passion for taxidermy, to try and get it right,” he said.

He said that, owning a commercial taxidermy shop, he has had to find a balance between making a high quality product while doing so in a timely manner.

Bird feathers alone, he said, are something he could easily spend days on if he does not manage his time properly. Fish can also pose a challenge due to the depth of colors needed to paint the scales.

At this point in his career, taxidermy is second nature to Christenson. He has preserved animals for children and grandchildren of past customers.

“If you do a good job, and they’re happy with your job, they’ll come back,” he said. He added he loves being able to give customers a preserved animal that will last their entire lifetime and bring back happy memories of hunting or catching the animal.

Presently, Christenson said he is looking forward to preserving a cape buffalo, a very large undertaking. While he works, he likes listening to the sounds of geese and swans flying across the lake outside his studio.