ip-O Taxidermy, LLC, a cornerstone of the Big Bend hunting community for over 15 years, has announced it will soon close its doors due to new city-imposed environmental regulations. The dispute centers around the City of Alpine’s requirement for the business to install a grease trap, a mandate that the owners argue is excessive and detrimental to their operations.
In a heartfelt message posted to their Facebook page, Howard and April Parsons, the owners of Hip-O Taxidermy, expressed their regret over the decision and assured their clients of their commitment to quality as they complete their final projects. “Good evening, Due to the actions taken by the City of Alpine restricting our ability to operate our business, we will be closing shop. We will still be completing all taxidermy work in house before physically closing the doors of this shop,” the Parsons wrote. They added, “By no means will we be rushing through things. We take great pride in our quality and will continue to do so.”
Hip-O Taxidermy has been the only wild-game meat processing facility within a 100-mile radius, serving countless hunters, especially during the general Mule Deer season. The timing of the closure, as noted by the Parsons, is particularly impactful: “We proudly served our community as the only wild-game meat processing facility within 100 miles over the past two seasons. However, as general Mule Deer season approaches, we wanted to give you all a heads up so that you can make other arrangements.”
The community response to the announcement has been one of widespread support and disappointment, with many local hunters lamenting the loss of such a vital service. The nearest alternative for game processing is now in Fort Stockton, posing significant inconvenience for local hunters.
Image Credit Hip-O Taxidermy, LLC
