Accredited Taxidermy Schools?

[hntdux]

Taxidermists,

My name is Andrew and I am in the United States Air Force on Active duty, I have been in for 10 years. With just 10 years left in this career I have decided to make taxidermy my next career. I have done Euro's and some other small taxidermy work for quite some time however, I would like to get some type of formal training and get some hands on experience with big game, birds and fish. The military will pay for this training but the problem I'm running into is that this training (school) has to be and Accredited institution. I have called, emailed and talked to several taxidermists and taxidermy schools only to find that none are accredited, I did find one but it is located in PA and I am stationed in ND. Logistics, course length and leave do not make this possible. I am giving this search one last attempt before I bear down and learn by trial and error. If anyone has any information regarding this type of training it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

SSgt Andrew J. Zickur
USAF

[bmdakk (Bryan)]

to my understanding, Andrew, the one in PA is the only accredited school out there. Thank you for your service! welcome to the forums.

[buglenfool]

Andrew,

I went to one in Bonner Montana called Second Nature. I know that they regularly get Military guys in their 5 week program that the Military paid for. I would recomend them to anyone. here is their website. http://taxidermy-school.com/ He is listed on here too. Hope this helps and thank you for your service.

Chris

[hntdux]

Amazing! Within minutes I have received two seperate leads to a School that takes the GI bill! Thank you Jody (northernmontana) and Chris (buglenfool)! I talked to Bill at Second Nature Taxidermy School and am going to the education office now! Thank you very much! This site and it's people are awesome! Thanks again!

Andrew J. Zickur (hntdux)
SSgt USAF!

[silverman]

Thanks for your service Andrew and good luck with your new coming job.

[hntdux]

Thanks for your service Andrew and good luck with your new coming job.
[/quote]

Thank you silverman! I can't explain how thrilled I am that I finally get to do this!

[murph]

Andrew,
           I want to thank you for your service.

              good luck with your training,
 
                         Lance!

[goosehunter1733]

I also want to thank Andrew and all our service men and women. Their service allows all of us guys and gals to enjoy the art of taxidermy and to express it as we see it. Thanks again men & women of our armed services.

[ebabin4]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[George Roof]

Enough PC. Back on subject.  THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN 'ACCREDITED' TAXIDERMY SCHOOL.   "Accredited" means that the INSTITUTION must offer a formal education program with electives (taxidery) as a course part.  No such animal ever existed.  Schools claiming to be "accredited" are done by hoaky operations who are paid to declare them "accredited". It's NOT the same as "academically accredited."

Having said that, there are schools out there who jump through a hoop in order to accommodate training under the GI Bill and VA programs.  I doubt there are a handful of them in the entire US.

Since you're only half way through (if you can continue to be promoted) I'd strongly suggest you use your GI bill to get a formal education. Taxidermy isn't rocket science and no one will ever be able to teach you "talent" anyway.  And before you blow that off, I'm a 30 year retired Chief Master Sergeant, and after being a taxidermist for almost 40 years when I retired, I still needed the secondary medical coverage my wife had. (Tri-Care is OK UNLESS you have something catastrophic that requires long term care and special medications. You're still dependant on GI "doctors" to decide when you need specialist care.) It's going to take you from 5 to 10 years after retirement to get enough clients to survive. If you have a good formal education, you'll always have something to fall back on IF and when taxidermy goes south.

[Joe Winsor]

I agree with George.  I am an E8 on active duty in the Army.  Over 20 years and retiring next year.  There are a lot of ways to gain the taxidermy skills.  You are going to struggle using any government or service related financial assistance.  Use your AF tuition assistance while on active duty to get a tradional college degree.  

For me I'm practicing taxidermy, I have a part time business to gameheads, and I'm also almost finished with my Environmental Science/Wildlife Management BS degree from AMU.  I recommend you take traditional college classes, through an online school if your on the go a lot like I am.  Schools like AMU http://www.amu.apus.edu/ and there are many others that cater to military Uof Phoenix is another.  Visit your AF education center.

As far as learning taxidermy join the ND taxi association.  Attend their seminars and annual competition.  Enter your work in the competition.  Do that for 10 years and you should be a fairly competent taxidermists.

[hntdux]

Chief Roof (Ret),

Here is a link to an Accredited Taxidermy School. Doesn't seem bogus to me. Also I'd apprecatie it if you wouldn't assume you know my career field, promotion status or my life and it's direction. I asked one simple question and I got an answer from another enlisted member of this site. I didn't ask for life lessons or a breakdown of my military benefits. I have my career and life under control. Thank you for your service to our country sir.

MSG Winsor,

I am fully aware of the schools and programs offered at the Ed center and by the AF, however that is not the path I have chosen to take. I wish you the best of luck in your future and thank you for your service to our country sir.

[hntdux]

http://www.studytaxidermy.com/financialaid.htm

My apologies, I forgot to post the link.

[George Roof]

hntdux, I apologize.  You'll probably make a good taxidermist. After all, you've already got all the prerequisites of being dumber than a stump and thinking you know more than those of us who've traveled this road a few times.

First off, your "career path" is public knowlege to those interested and ingrained in those of us who've been there.  Promotions are not only expected, they're mandated. In order to retire with 20 years service, you must be at least a TSgt last time I checked.  Since today's Air Force presents medals for conserving toilet paper and  promotes people to that rank in 6 years or less anymore, that really SHOULDN'T be a problem for you.

As far as the "accreditation", you're not nearly as smart as you think you are. PIT is "accredited" by and agency that charges a flat fee to "accredit" schools. In effect, their accreditation is a farce and they're only accrediting it to be a business that teaches a skill. They aren't validated periodically by anyone. I have two of their star pupils who call me routinely with issues they "didn't teach in school"

If you came here for quailty information and honest help, you've found it. If you came here to find someone to blow roses up your ass, you've come to a goat house for wool. OH, and in case you didn't notice, I was a Chief and not the E-9's that I've had the displeasure of seeing in "my Air Force" today.

[hntdux]

Sir, Where did I claim to know more than anyone...ever? I asked a question and you gave me some bs about there not being accredited schools, apparently there are, even if it isn't to your standards. The AF will pay for it so it must be worth something. Frankly, I could give 2 craps about what you've told me, you come off as an arrogant prick.  I"m done conversing with you and your "Holier than thou" attitude.  Thanks for the "help" Sir.