Hi!
I’m Ken, the Founder of Kodiak.
My transition from law enforcement on Alaskan waters to high-end taxidermy is quite a journey, and I’m eager to share it with you.
Background
For 25 years, I was an Assistant Special Agent with the National Marine Fisheries Service, based in Kodiak, AK. I supervised fisheries law enforcement in federal waters, including the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Aleutian Islands. This role even had me involved in maintaining the “Deadliest Catch” crab fishery.
When not on the sea, I cherished hunting Sitka blacktail deer on Kodiak Island each fall. My sons, who were also born on “The Rock,” often joined me. We would fill our freezer at the start of the season before seeking out the larger bucks.
Alaskan Adventures
For a meaningful 25 years, I was an Assistant Special Agent with the National Marine Fisheries Service, based in Kodiak, AK. I supervised fisheries law enforcement in federal waters, including the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, and Aleutian Islands. This role even had me involved in maintaining the “Deadliest Catch” crab fishery.
When not on the sea, I cherished hunting Sitka blacktail deer on Kodiak Island each fall. My sons, who were also born on “The Rock,” often joined me. We would fill our freezer at the start of the season before seeking out the larger bucks.
Discovering Dermestids
Seeking a method beyond boiling for processing our catches, I came across the Dermestid beetle. Intrigued by its potential, I sourced my first colony in 2005, despite the high cost. With patience and persistence, this colony flourished into a thriving community.
A meeting with Dick Rohrer, a respected Kodiak bear guide, led me to establish a side-business. Rohrer’s customers wanted the high-quality, beetle-cleaned trophies I could offer. To improve my skills, I volunteered to clean the skulls of bears for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Thus, in 2007, with seven successful years under our belt, Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy was officially launched.
Kodiak is Born
Est. 2007