Taxidermy school questions?

[Ken's Fish Taxidermy]

I have been doing taxidermy for 3 years now. 100% Self taught off of this forum. I am 17 and am graduating from High school next year and I live in central Virginia and am looking for a good taxidermy school. I only have done fish so far and am wanting to learn how to do gameheads, birds, waterfoul, and mammals. Are the schools worth all the money or could it be better spent on different seminars at shows. I am really wanting to start up a taxidermy business. I love to do taxidermy and want it to be my full time career and job. Do I need to go to a school so I can tell my customers I have been certified by This "certain" school. Does that bring in more customers or does it not really matter? My name is getting out already because I have done (fish) work for family and friends. They have been very supportive and encouraging and my friends say I really have something here. Man they have been telling everybody they know about me. I need some help selecting a school to go to. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
            Ken

[RDA]

Look around, as im not sure what area your in.  Theres a TON of instructors out there now.  Some will be better than others.  Some will be so hands on that youll end up with a nice collection of pieces, yet lack the skills to repeat them.  Budgets are another concern, and youll find a large price spread among instructors these days.  There are several opportunities on this forum for training like the TURTLE fest coming up as well as many others.  You have Yoxathons, for white tails, Fly away taxidermy, Scott Olson, Lowell Shapley and many others for birds, Rick Krane and many others for fish, finishing classes by Matt and others as well.  Just do some research here.   

[Troy Rose]

Hey Ken,

Do what your budget and time will allow.  But first off, do your homework...as there is a wide variance of quality teaching out there.  Look closely at the quality of work the students produce.  Also do you prefer a class environment or a one-on-one situation...If what you see appeals to you, contact some of their past students to see how their experience was.  GOOD LUCK in your search!

Troy Rose

[Redwolf]

Ken, there are some GREAT teachers out there. Rick Crane for fish, Bill Yox for deer, Scott Olson, RDA, Tony Finnazo, and a bunch more for birds, Tom Voyer and Psycho for reptiles etc. etc. You'll have to pay good money, and you'll have to travel but it's well worth it.
I wish I had taken classes when I first started because it would of cut down on my time by me not having to figure out what was right or wrong. Videos are good, but it's not like schools because you can't ask your DVD player questions if you get stuck

But if you join your state association you can learn a lot too.
So to answer your question, Ii would have to say "Yes", schools ARE worth it.
Good luck.

[Tom King]

Hi Ken.........
I know I haven't got the big name as some of these guys mentioned.........but I do have a great program going for you to get Ya started with all the basics of Gamehead taxidermy and We do put out a very nice Commercial Quality mount in My workshop style school..........
Check out My Web Site and judge for yourself .........
also...........I have plenty of good references and a high number of My students begin their business right after the Class..........
I concentrate more on the commercial aspect of the Taxidermy but some insight to getting a good start with competition........
One of My students just took a second place ribbon with his 5th mount in the Surry Competitions this years...........He is full of talent...........
I'm certainly proud of him........
Tom King
Feel free to call..........7065340303
www.taxidermyschool.webs.com

[Redwolf]

Oh Tom You'd be in the "etc. etc." category
There are a lot of good teachers myself and RDA didn't mention. There are too many to mention so I'm sure we missed a few and not on purpose

[Tom King]

No Problem............Im used to being ignored..............
Especially by My Wife lol......  

[Ken's Fish Taxidermy]

Hey thanks for all the advice everyone. I am wanting to attend a one on one course with someone in a couple years. As of right now I want to attend the next Virginia Taxidermist Association competition and sign up for all the seminars there. Its so hard to choose because there are so many different people that offer great classes. Tough to choose. I have just one last question. What do you do about freezer space? Its been on my mind for a while. Should I build a walk in freezer that I could store customers deer and other animals in? I have a freezer right now that is 4x6' ft. Just don't know how you guys store all of your animals. Once again thanks for everything.

Ken

[Tom King]

All you need is a good chest freezer and as you accumulate more work just buy another freezer........
As for Deer heads.........Just skin them as they come in because they take up too much space.......
I use clear Uline bags with a water proof tags that are placed inside the bag.........
GL
Tom King

[Ken's Fish Taxidermy]

Thanks Tom that is what I needed to know.

[Scott Olson]

No Problem............Im used to being ignored..............
Especially by My Wife lol...... 

Who's Tom King ..Never heard of him before..