Mike Zigtema

For as long as I can remember I have been hunting with my dad and brothers,
just outside the small town of Monee. So, until the time came when I could
carry a gun I was the bird dog for them. We had fun times and great memories
that will last for a lifetime. One of the greatest memories I can recall and
never forget was a youth hunt with my brothers, my father, and some friends.
I was young and still not carrying a gun at the time, but was there to learn
and watch. Not knowing my bird identification I started yelling “There are
ducks landing on the silo!” Little did I know it was pigeons. Needless to
say, my buddies and brothers will never let me forget it. It’s a great memory
that makes great laughs and adds to the endless hunting stories.

Before we got our hunting license, dad would have us walk with a BB gun as we
went pheasant hunting. This way we learned how to handle a gun safely. Once
we learned how to handle a gun we would go pheasant, rabbit, goose, duck, and deer hunting together. On one of my hunting trips with my dad I bagged my first bird, it was a wood duck drake. I got it mounted to capture that special day.

Some of my hobbies include horses,  hunting, and fishing. My favorite thing about hunting is getting together with all my friends and having fun. It is a great sport that you can enjoy with your family and friends or just by yourself.

Another thing I have enjoyed for many years of my life has been the 4-H program. I have been in 4-H for 12 years and currently serve as a leader in the shooting sports program. I help my dad who is the leader. Here we try to get young kids interested in shooting recreation and safety.

In the summer months I help out at Iron Horse Ranch, where we put on “Cowboy Church.” This is a summer long event that includes a church service in the morning and an afternoon with fun games on horseback. Starting this year we are going to have cow sorting on some of those Sundays. It makes a fun day for everyone, and a time for family and friends to gather together to enjoy one of Gods great creations. It’s a place where all are welcome.

My love for hunting and the outdoors, along with the encouragement from family and friends, I pursued turning my hobbies into a career. I attended Rinehart Taxidermy School and graduated with experience in mammals, fish and waterfowl. What a better way for someone to preserve those special hunting moments and memories than to have it mounted. M&M Taxidermy can help you preserve your moment in time.