Josh Webb: A Well-Lived Life

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

It’s a mighty lucky man who finds a job doing the things he loves! Josh Webb is one of those people, but he has managed to go one step farther. Josh has two jobs that he loves! He has a full-time job in the great outdoors and a “side job” that has made him something of a celebrity in Southwest Alabama.

Josh Webb is a forester who manages both public and private tracts of forestlands for Scotch Land Management in Clarke County. Josh helps thousands in this area who depend on woodlands for their livelihood, by keeping forests healthy and productive. As he plants trees, cruises and marks timber and oversees controlled burns, he is a vital part of protecting, preserving and restoring the natural environment.

Josh is a dedicated sportsman who knows the importance of preserving and protecting animal habitats. As a youngster, he spent many happy hours in the woods with his father, hunting deer, turkeys and ducks. Once his two daughters were old enough, he also took them hunting. Addyson (11) has already downed two deer, while Lydia (7) waits for the right one to come along. Josh is proud that his job as a forester helps to protect wildlife and conserve land and water. This means his girls will be able to hunt and enjoy the forests for years to come.

As Josh plants trees, cruises and marks timber and oversees controlled burns, he is a vital part of protecting, preserving and restoring the natural environment.

For the past 23 years, Josh Webb has also worked a “side job.” During hunting season, Josh processes deer at Skinner’s Wild Game, owned by Jay Graddick and managed by Bruce Sanders. Even though the business has changed owners through the years, Josh has remained a constant.

Josh is the “senior” deer skinner, or “hair snatcher” (as old hands call it in this area). His skinning techniques have become legendary, and many say he is the best around. His co-workers have clocked him skinning a grown deer at one minute and 46 seconds (without removing the ribs) and 1:58 (with the ribs out). His boss, Jay Graddick, even recorded this moment and uploaded it to YouTube. (Josh said that he had actually skinned faster.)

“His skinning speed is unmatched,” stated Jay Graddick. “He makes a city boy like me stand in awe when I watch him.”

Josh Webb (r) has worked at Skinner’s Wild Game for 23 years. Even though the business has changed hands through the years, Josh has been a constant. The business is now managed by Bruce Sanders (l).

Josh Webb estimates that he has skinned over 6,000 deer. The largest, killed in Bashi, Alabama, was a 12-point that weighed 242 pounds. Field dressing a deer is something hunters have been doing for ages, and anyone can learn to do it. However, few can actually remove the skin without getting little, if any, hair on the carcass. Josh is one of the best at this, and he is able to do it in record times.

Through the years, he has learned a few tricks, which have made his job safer. First and foremost, since Josh works with extremely sharp knives, he must know where to place his hands at all times. An improper slit in a strategic area can ruin a priceless cape. A slip of the knife while skinning tedious areas around the nose, mouth, eyes and ears will cost a hunter extra money for repairs.

“When you’ve done it as long as I have, your fingers are trained!” he laughed. “You have to get your hands out of the way though.”

For years, Josh Webb has mentored young teens who have worked at Skinner’s Wild Game. Josh (center) teaches the tricks of the trade to (l to r) John Tyler Newsome, Caden Baker, Dee Grissom and Kelsey Cox.

Unassuming and modest, Josh Webb never takes any credit for his skill. Instead, he enjoys teaching younger teens the art of skinning and processing venison. Many of these young men compete with him and with each other, trying to surpass “the old man” and gain the bragging rights themselves.

Through the years, Josh has gained the trust of dedicated hunters who bring their prized trophies for him to skin. His precision, skill and care with capeing are known far and wide. Since taxidermists want hides in top condition, Josh is vigilant, making sure he provides a quality product for the taxidermist to work his magic. After all, this skin preserves a priceless moment for the hunter.

Josh’s big smile and infectious personality welcome everybody that pulls in to the “meat house.” From processing to paperwork to butchering, he is something of a jack-of-all-trades at Skinner’s.

“It’s hard work, but I love it,” Josh explained. “It’s a side job for me, but I really like all the people who work here. Skinner’s is a good place to work. Lots of people come in, and some customers have been coming here for years. I really enjoy meeting people and talking to them.”Josh Webb lives life well! There are very few people who find even one job doing what they love. Josh is blessed with two jobs! Someone once said that the best feeling in the world is doing what you love and getting paid for it. Josh Webb could not agree more!

As a forester for Scotch Land Management in Clarke County, Josh Webb helps to manage both public and private tracts. He spends many hours in the woods and works to keep the woodlands healthy and productive.

Josh often takes his two girls deer hunting. His 11-year-old daughter, Addyson, has already downed two deer. His younger daughter, Lydia, is seven, but she already loves being in the woods with her dad.

Josh registers deer as they come in and handles other paperwork. He records CID numbers and assigns each deer a number. Skinner’s is a busy place during hunting season, and most customers have been coming there for years.