Meet Your Taxidermist
SAM NIGGLI
At Smoke & Feather Taxidermy, every bird mount tells a story worth remembering.
Owner and operator Sam Niggli was born and bred in the wilds of Oregon, where the seasons teach you patience, the land teaches you gratitude, and the birds teach you to look twice. A lifelong outdoorsman and big game hunter, it’s waterfowl that’s always held Sam’s heart. Hunting birds isn’t just a pastime—it’s a way of life, stitched into every part of what he does.
Driven by a personal mission to collect and preserve all North American waterfowl species, Sam brings deep knowledge, practiced skill, and an unwavering respect for the animal to each mount. Every feather, every pose, every piece of habitat is intentional—built to honor the bird, the hunt, and the memory behind it.
This kind of work takes time, and time is something Sam doesn’t take for granted. Thanks to the steadfast support of his wife—his partner in all things—he’s able to pour everything he has into each piece. And when he’s not at the bench, you’ll find him at home on the land—raising his kids and grandkids with the same values that shaped him: respect for the animal, care for the tools, and deep gratitude for the life we live outdoors.
At Smoke & Feather, we don’t just mount birds. We preserve stories, legacies, and the quiet truth that hunting is about more than the harvest—it’s about what you carry with you long after.