JON WILSON
Jon started Double Nickle Taxidermy in his garage in 2011. Taxidermy has been a part of his life since he spent a summer in high school helping clean and doing small tasks around a small taxidermy studio in his hometown. Since then he has competed internationally in track and field, coached and taught at a local Texas high school, spent 5 years as a principal in San Antonio, married the love of his life, and had 2 daughters that keep him on his toes. He has literally traveled across the globe to study his craft and feeds off the constant opportunity to improve. He loves what he does and looks forward to what the future holds!
SHANNON MERCADO
Born in North Carolina, her family moved to Texas when stationed at Ft. Hood and then Randolph AFB. She received her BFA at the University of Texas at Austin, with a focus in printmaking. Clearly animal obsessed, her house is a zoo full of cats and dogs, and her artwork focuses on animal subjects.
JAMIE TAFOLLA
Jamie was born and raised in Mineral Wells, TX and moved to San Marcos, TX in 2015. She received a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Texas State in 2018. Other than doing Taxidermy, Jamie enjoys collecting various European mounts and hanging with her dogs and cat.
COURTNEY SHAHEEN
Courtney Shaheen was born and raised in San Antonio and Boerne. She grew up hunting and fishing with her father and brother. Courtney graduated from Texas State University in 2010 with a degree in Fine Arts and emphasis in sculpture. Between hunting, fishing, and making art, she knew taxidermy was the field she wanted to be in. After spending five years in retail management, she finally made the leap to full time taxidermist in 2013. Courtney specializes in cats and other small mammals.
SIMONE LONGE
Simone was born in Austin and raised in San Marcos. She received a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Texas State University with a focus in Forensic Anthropology and Osteology. She practiced anthropomorphic taxidermy as a hobby until she developed a deeper passion for traditional taxidermy while interning at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Simone especially enjoys mounting whitetail deer and specializes in European mounts. While not doing taxidermy, Simone likes to spend time with her dog and best friend Lorna.