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Retrieving the Arrow
Published: 2012-08-05 07:56:47 +0000 UTC; Views: 20516; Favourites: 1116; Downloads: 0
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Description
This was project intended to exemplify humanity's modern disconnection from Nature. The hunter is wearing modern clothes and exists in a modern setting, yet is using primitive weapons and techniques to 'survive' in a world which has been all but destroyed by Man's inability to live in harmony with the planet.The wolf in the image is called Teva. She's my personal headdress. She and her sister were both removed from a population in Southeast Alaska by a friend of mine who works with the State Fish and Wildlife Department in population control.
Once Teva was tanned so that she could not rejoin the Earth, I purchased her to make her into the headdress above. Due to some damage to the leather and a missing rear foot, her hide was not deemed suitable for traditional taxidermy and would be otherwise bound for the fur market to be made into clothing instead.
She is the first wolf I ever mounted, and I’m very pleased with the way she turned out considering. From start to finish, it seemed that Teva’s creation from tanned pelt to finished headdress came together like a dream.
Photography by Teddy Anderson. Editing and taxidermy by me.
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Comments: 412
Ah, I misworded myself then.
... have you read her profile yet? I feel you'll understand her viewpoint better once you do so. I'd rather not need to copy and paste it here.
I understand that you were stating your opinion; we're all free to one after all. However, sometimes it's best to actually check out the artist's profile to get a better understanding of her views before you question them too quickly. Just relying on an artist's description isn't solid enough, and can be easily misunderstood. I have it happen to myself often with my stamps, and it can be quite frustrating when people are quick to accuse before researching.
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I read her profile and I understand it but still, she bought a pelt that was killed because of over-population, which is just a silly excuse.
I am curious if she knows if this animal was really just killed for money, not to better than environment like she must think.
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I suppose it would depend on the circumstances in which this wolf was removed because of overpopulation; but that's quite a messy subject built upon opinion against opinion, and I'd rather not get into the details of it. All the same, considering the artist's perspective on animals and the respect in which she speaks of them, I'm sure there's a good reason for her use of this particular wolf in her art. But then, that's for her to say, not me. Whatever the case, while this wolf was killed, at the very least its remains are being put to use, and not being wasted away. I'd rather she bought the pelt and display it, put it to use, and make environmental points with it than just let it rot away somewhere.
We all have varying opinions on such a topic. If she believes for good reason that the animal was killed to help stabilize the environment, then she does. If you believe that stabilizing the environment by keeping control of animal populations doesn't work, then that is yours. Stating an opinion is one thing, but it's best to be respectful of others opinions too - they have their reasons for believing what they believe, regardless of if you disagree with it.
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but we haven't read her opinion yet, so nothing to discuss unless you want to state an opinion yourself... encouraging the respect for the artist is always a good thing but opinions could be discussed as long as they're not insulting & as long as the artists wants, of course.
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Of course, that was the point I was trying to make. And my opinion on that exact matter has been stated c:
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I agree completely. It's an a aging picture, but the wolf was once a beautiful living creature. If we need to connect and live with nature and the planet, then why should we kill it's inhabitants? This is a beautiful shot and the headdress makes the picture stand out more, but the fact an animal was killed definitely upsets me.
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Animals are killed every single day, every hour, and every few minutes. Does that upset you also?
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well I'm pretty sure you eat cow,horse,chickens etc okay they are raised as livestock but they where killed for you only, only for the purpose of being meat (pigs and cows hides and stuff are used also and for other stuff but still) the animal was is a small space for its whole life, maybe never seeing the light of day and proppely not treated with respect when being killed/skinned/etc. Even the meat is just seen as a product. NO respect for the animal that died just to be eaten
this wolf was treated with respect even after dead. it was killed probelly more humane then the cattle. also it had a free and wild life so it either died really slow of dissease or old age
this person respects both living and dead creature! why must it rot and smell when it can be turned into something that can be honored. you could atleast respect people for their hobbies and lifestyle
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I myself am actually a vegetarian, and I stand for animal rights. The way livestock is treated is awful, and should be ended. Animals should not be killed to be food or clothing. Yes, this is a beautiful piece and the photography is amazing, but I personally stand against wolves being killed for being a headdress. It's great that this animal was honored while alive, but it was only honored to end up being an article of clothing.
I do respect this person's hobbies, but I'm simply stating my personal opinion. She is quite talented at taxidermy, and I fully respect what she enjoys to do in life. I never said I disrespect her in any way.
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Agriculture also destroys the homes of many animals and lets not talk about all the chemicals used in the process.
Not everywhere livestock is treated awful, and animals will always be killed for food [and in cold places for fur too]because we need some certain proteins from meat. After all it's because of meat that we evolved to this point, right?
But i do agree that people should eat meat with a certain balance, not overdo it.
I'm not a meat fan myself and love all animals...but as much as other species hunt, we also need to eat meat somehow, and farming is inevitable.
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no but the way you say you seem to hate her for having a wolf headdress.. so what if its a wolf? if it was a cow noone would care! ( or atleast far more little people. It has been DONE beeing sad for the animal isn't getting it back.
the person had no involment with the act of killing the wolf. so why whine to her about it? I know people who post pictures of the animals they trap for fur, nag to them cause they actually kill the animals.
Its like bitching against painters for using paint brushes made of horse/pig/mink hair. they can't help it that the good brushes are made of that.
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You are showing great disrespect for me when I'm simply stating me opinion. I'm not 'bitching', I'm simply giving feedback. I'm not disrespecting anyone here, and I have shown no hatred towards this artist. What she does is up to her, and I wouldn't try to stop her because this is what she does and this is what makes her happy. I know she didn't kill this wolf, and I know she was not involved in killing the wolf, which I respect. I'm not 'nagging', I'm giving feedback. This is a beautiful photo, and the wolf headdress definitely helps the photo more beautiful. I just stand for animal rights, and am stating my personal opinion. I didn't mean to offend anyone,
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well look at it this way then...
someone makes a picture in lets say photoshop
someone comment on it saying they love the picture...but hate photoshop cause of an opinion
how does that make the user feel?
personally that feedback would mean nothing to me cause the fact that someone doesn't like photoshop has nothing to do with the meaning of the picture
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Yes, you have a valid point, but this is not a matter of hating photoshop, but the life of a living, breathing animal taken to simply end up being an article of clothing. Again, I didn't mean to offend anyone, I was simply giving an opinion on the picture which has been blown out of proportion. This is a wonderful piece of artwork, and the taxidermy is very well done. I simply don't appreciate the fact an animal was killed, by her or not by her. It's a matter of opinion.
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sure and you have the right for that opinion but animals die, and animals die much crueller ways!
I myself would love to hunt my own meat, so I don't need to buy meat from corporations that has been stuffed with antibiotics.
I would like to know where my meat came from, and if I'd ever get the chance to go life in an area that allows it and has game I would love too. I would never over kill only what I need for myself and family. I've been a vegitarian for 7 years. I've had alot of health issues because I wasn't getting meat. and I reffuse to take pills to make up for the vitamines I am missing
so now I only eat free range ( as far as I know) and I don't eat meat on a daily basis, we are omnivoures and still need meat, our body is build for the consuming of it.
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As a matter of vegetarianism, I can say it is an exceptionally healthy lifestyle. I've been a vegetarian for three years and I am healthier than I've ever been my whole life. When it comes to your nutrition problems, you maybe weren't taking in enough protein. When it comes to a healthy, vegan lifestyle I really suggest watching Forks Over Knives, it's wonderful and extremely informative. c:
Animals die in such awful ways, and there needs to be an end to this torture and slaughter. This wolf died in a much more humane way, which I appreciate.
I think we've had a good debate, and I don't want it to escalate to an argument so maybe we should end it here, give a virtual hand shake? c:
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or my metabolism wouldn't just accept it. I must say since I became a vegi I gained more weight then before XD I don't agree that animals should be killed for fun or just for the sake of killing. but when the animal is used for something more then just to rot and treated with respect afterwards I don't mind
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Thank you for the debate, I definitely learned more about how you view the matter. Have an excellent day! c:
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this grey wolf was not sick nor did it die of old age.
It was a perfectly healthy wolf that was shot simply because someone thought there were too many
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Do you know what happens when a species becomes to large? They'll take over completely meaning that other animals will be compete with other animals and thier species will soon be gone! Why does this happen? It's because we humans have become the top predator in nature and we are now a "natural" part of the eco system. If we would stop hunting, the whole system would collapse.
Also the wolf did not die in vain. Its fur was taken care of and became this costume that im sure of will be passed to one generation to the next.
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so? tottaly healthy cows are being killed for meat
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I do not support that, either.
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glad you agree with me! I really wish people would think more about the planet and animals, rather than themselves. This wolf had feelings and a soul, and I would much rather befriend it than wear its pelt on my head... As a person that lives in a house full of wonderful cats, dogs, and other animals, I know from experience that it is much more fun to enjoy the beauty of nature by connecting with animals, not killing them.
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Eeeee!
Congrats on a Daily Deviation!
You deserve it! <3
--Duchessa
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I always loved your photo shoots NP :3
Wonderful composition. The photo its self is lovely.
Gorgeous wolf headdress! Many hours must have went into that! Kudos!
Seems like your already getting the 'weird' comments NP!
Keep your head up no matter what the ignorant ones say ;3
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Hmm did you eat the meat too?( I wonder how does it taste). anyway i never see a living wild wolf in my country and in some other country they need to shot them to reduce their numbers, how strange...
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Meat from carnivores is not generally good for human consumption, but I know of Native furriers and hunters who do indeed eat wolf meat when nothing else is available. It apparently tastes very gamey and is best when stewed for long periods of time, as it's naturally quite tough and lean. I have eaten dog meat while living abroad in Indonesia, and found that it was relatively tasteless and hard to chew. Seasoning was heavily used to make it worth eating in the first place. I wouldn't want to eat it again.
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Meat from carnivores have less fat so actually it is healthier (or so i heard) Gypsies in my country sometime steal and eat dogs but i guess i will skip tasting dog meat 
And do you know why we have no problem to eat meat? because we feel superior to what we eat.
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Speak for yourself; I don't feel superior to the deer that I kill and eat. I know that, without him, I would die, and so my life rests in his just as much as his does in mine. There is balance in nature, and humans are a part of it, which is why we have population control hunts to help maintain the ecological health of certain natural areas.
Also, fat is a necessary part of all human diets. Just because meat is lean doesn't mean it's better for you, especially if you live a harsh environment. Meat from predators does not have a high nutritional value, which is why most of what humans have historically consumed is meat from birds, fish, and ungulates.
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So, you have internet connection but you need to hunt deer ,because otherwise you would die? Seriously?!
About nutritional value, i guess you are probably more informed so i will not oppose.
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I wouldn't die without deer - not directly. I could go the store any day of the week and buy a steak. But I'd much rather shoot a deer in the woods than buy a steak pumped full of hormones which came from a factory farm and died a horrible, painful death. So, there's that.
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Good so you admit that you do it because you want to do it not because you need to do it. That was my point i am not judging or something i fully agree with this sentence and i respect your healthy way of life
But of course i am still curious about something
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It's exceptionally difficult to hit any target with a traditional bow. I shoot with a recurve, so mine doesn't even have sights. The skill that goes into making a kill is immense, and I do feel proud when I am successful. More than pride, though, I feel happy to know that will be able to feed myself and my family thanks to the deer's sacrifice of life.
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Well that sure requires some skills, and it's more natural than rifle. You don’t have the range of a gun, so you need to be closer to your prey i guess, and the feeling that you are like some ancient hunter sure must helps the heart pound, and most definitely you must feel some adrenaline. That must be a good feeling
So who are you trying to convince about that: „ I feel happy to know that will be able to feed myself and my family thanks to the deer's sacrifice of life. “ We already agreed that you don't need to hunt food for living remember?
So, that good feeling you feel is that you feel powerful, yes after you strike down your prey you feall the power!
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Actually, no. While I don't need to hunt to survive, refuse to buy meat from the store while hunting is still an option. You see, a deer shot in the forest have lived a much better life and met a much quicker end than any cow or pig on a factory farm. Deer are also not pumped full of harmful hormones which have the potential to make me sick. I am going to eat meat. And that meat is better for me - and the environment - if it comes directly from nature.
If eating meat was about "dominion over animals" then I'd actually want to support the farms. What else says "I have power over you" more than altering an entire species' genetics through selective breeding?
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Eee why are telling me this over and over again? I know that it is healthier, i know that deer shot in the forest have lived a much better life so why are you telling me this?! Well i think you are just copy pasting your ideas but it's annoying since this debate is not about that... it's not about eating meat, you see people nowadays don't need to see how is the food made, they don't see a living animals they already buy unliving product. but you you can see to the eyes of your living prey, and for that you actually need to have stomach, like when you open deer to get out all insides do you think all people can do this? the answer is most people's would most likely not do any of those things, they rather buy it then see this for them terrifying things(in other words they don't have guts
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Your logic makes no sense. I know that English is not your fist language, but comprehension of a topic such as this isn't rocket science.
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ech... ok so i guess I was all wrong
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Finally you got your DD, it was about time.
Aside for the great picture and content....I always wondered, what your tattoo means? x
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My tattoo is kind of a long story, but the short version is that I saw it in a dream.
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WOoOOOOOOOOLF!!!!!!!!!!!! XD
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While I don't approve of the art of Taxidermy itself, the capture and overall appearance looks wonderful. 
But reading your concept, I was wondering what do you think of the doings of the "Wildlife Department in population control", since you stated : This was project intended to exemplify humanity's modern disconnection from Nature.
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Ancient humans killed animals for meat and fur. In the event of society's future downfall, humanity will need to revert back to this manner of living.
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I agree with your opinion on taxidermy, and I also wondered the same question my self. I am curious to hear her answer!
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Working on government animal victims IS* neither good or bad , sorry.
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I'm curious as well.
On their profile it says that all the subjects are from roadkills, which is indeed less disturbing & I can actually have a positive reaction!
But apparently, official kills holding false goals such as "population control" are the only exception. Working on government animal victims neither good or bad, but I think protesting on such actions would be more worth it.
Having some day in the future aliens drop a giant to eat humans for "population control" wouldn't do bad...
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oh yes, I have no problem when people taxidermy roadkill, as the carcass won't be eaten or return to the earth, so its okay to preserve its hide. Road kills were on accident but animals killed for "population control" were not... this wolf was healthy and strong, and would have gone on to continue the circle of life. I don't agree with population control in the slightest.
and haha I have thought about that! If you think about it, the only species that needs a little trimming is humans! we're the ones that need to keep our population under control, as we are the species that has caused the largest number of animals to go extinct, and every day we kill thousands of thousands of animals
Thats not to say I pro-killing humans, because of course I'm not. I just think we need to keep in mind that we are animals, too, and we need to use our higher intelligence to help our fellow animals, not kill them
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I agree!
and sorry, I was just too Shingeki no Kyojin-inspired...
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Looks great artistically, but to me this is just as immoral as buying the fur clothing that the pelt would normally be turned into....
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