academy of realistic taxidermy

[c.sanders]

i am attending academy of realistic taxidermy in may and i am so ready. i am a 33 year old male with family and this has been a dream. my goal is to come home and start working on opening my own business. i am just trying to see if anybody has been there and can give me some advice on maybe things they forgot or wish they had brought. i am looking for any feedback possible as far as the school or the area. i hope to even get a little fishing in but taxidermy comes first and last. looking forward to learning a ton..

                                                                          thank you , charles.

[Rich H.]

well, you picked the right school to go to.....Steve is a great person to deal with and you will learn a lot from him and his instructors...

[realstuff]

Keep in mind that starting a taxidermy business with steady clients will take time.  Don't give up.  Also remember that it is important to take a fishing trip once in a while to keep your sanity.  We all need a break from our jobs, so don't hesitate to take one now and then.  Do what you can, but don't get burned out.

[donzarate]

I loved A.R.T. ! It was a great school and the instructor's were awsome. They taught me some many tricks and skills that put my work ahead of the game.The school is pretty isolated so bring some fishing gear , there is some close body's of water were i caught my first pike. Bring your binoculars to watch antelope and deer in your free time.  The class is always open to work at any time of night. Steve is a great guy and very knowlagable. I know that it's a little bit more money than other schools but it was worth it totally ! I recommend this school and would do it over.

graduate
John Zarate

[Mike Doyle]

I also attended the Acedemy of Realistic Taxidermy awhile back and was very pleased with the teachings and the world class instructors.I can also say that what I learned in the time that I attended put me heads above alot of local Taxidermists in my area.I really felt confident in starting customer work as soon as I came home.I've since then bought a house and built a Taxidermy Studio here on my property.I've even taught my wife how to mount mammals and now she competes each year.Steve is a good guy, but seems to want to charge you for everything extra.I know he has a good deal of overhead with instructors and all, but some stuff was just a little extreme.If I could have brought something that I forgot, it would have been my .22 rifle.There are alot of varmits and predators in the area and they are legal to shoot.The cottontail rabbits were very tasty too.The fishing is good as well, make sure Steve brings you guys to his familys stocked trout pond up in the mountains.That was a blast.Anyway have a great time and learn alot.Oh yeah, bring alot of phone cards.

Later,
Mike class of 02