Taxidermist & owner · Peculiar, Missouri
Caleb
Roseburrough.
Caleb started doing taxidermy as a hobby at 15. Today he specializes in wild turkeys, paying as much attention to the toes on the base as he does to the fan you see from across the room.
01 How he learned
A hobby that stuck.
Over about a decade, Caleb’s learned by asking other taxidermists questions, taking one-on-one classes, and working through what didn’t look right on his own birds.
Why turkeys?
On a turkey, a small change can shift the whole pose. Turn the head and the bird looks alert. Change the way the wing feathers fall and you change the shape you see from across the room. That’s where Caleb puts his time.
02 At the workbench
Look down at the feet.
The fan gets your attention first. Caleb checks the things you see when you get closer, from how the toes rest against the base to how the color changes around the eye.
Color that follows the skin.
Caleb uses a brush and an airbrush to blend the color into the folds and texture of the head.
Feet that look planted.
Check where the toes meet the surface. On a standing bird, they help sell the weight of the pose.
Feathers that lie naturally.
Caleb checks where the rows of feathers overlap and preens them into place so they follow the shape of the bird.
03 Selected competition results
On the show floor.
From a pair of Eastern turkeys in a woodland scene to a Merriam’s on a rock ledge, here are some of the birds Caleb’s taken to competition.
-
2024
Two Eastern turkey displays.
- World Taxidermy ShowFirst place ribbon, Open Division, for his Eastern turkey pair.
- Missouri and Texas showsBest of Category Turkey in Missouri and Best of Category Upland Bird in Texas for his strutting Eastern, Professional Division.
-
2025
An Eastern in flight.
- Iowa Taxidermy ShowState Champion Bird and McKenzie Taxidermist Choice Best Bird. Iowa show results
- Kansas Taxidermy ShowTaxidermist’s Choice Best Bird of the Show, Masters Division, for the same flying turkey.
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2026
A Merriam’s and a gadwall.
- Kansas Taxidermy ShowState Champion and National Wild Turkey Federation Award for his Merriam’s, Masters Division.
- United Taxidermist AssociationInternational Champion, Masters Division Turkeys, for the Merriam’s. His customer’s gadwall also earned Waterfowl International Champion, Open Division.
04 Work with Caleb
Tell him about your bird.
You’ll talk directly with Caleb about the pose, the base, and what’ll fit where you want to display it. Bring a photo if you’ve got one. He’ll walk you through the choices before you decide.