About Us
Hi, I’m Cayden Veland, the owner of Open Water Taxidermy, where I focus on creating lifelike waterfowl mounts. I’ve spent my entire life in South Dakota, and that’s where my passion for hunting and taxidermy took root. Believe it or not, I started teaching myself taxidermy after watching a single YouTube video, and that one step launched me into the career I love today.
Growing up, my dad was an avid waterfowl hunter, and thanks to him, I got hooked on the sport early on. Over time, my love for waterfowl naturally turned into an interest in taxidermy. Hunting gives me the chance to study birds up close, and understanding their anatomy is what helps me create those natural, realistic poses that bring each bird to life. To me, that’s what makes a mount truly special.
My goal is simple: I want every mount to take my clients back to that moment when they first held their bird. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and always tell my clients, "If it’s not good enough for my wall, it’s not good enough for yours." I’m committed to giving every bird the attention it deserves, putting my heart and soul into every piece.
Good luck out there chasing your dream birds—when the time comes, I’ll be here to help turn those memories into something you can keep forever.
