help picking the right school

[ncrick]

I have been researching schools for several weeks now and finally decided to ask for suggestions. Traveling is not really a concern, just the right education. I am obviously wanting the school that will teach me everything I need to know and allow me mount the most animals, the right way. I have been looking at kindred spirits 10 week program, with 18-24 mounts which is advertised, until i finally found a few bad words said about them. Not sure what to think about it. I just want to make sure I make the right decision and pick the right one to get the show on the road. Any experiences, suggestion welcome. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Bill Dishman]

The first thing you should ask yourself is, Do i want to spend a good portion of my taxidermy education learning tanning?
Some of us tan our own, some of us dont. Im in the latter group. Id much rather send my tanning out and concentrate on the taxidermy end. Part of that equation is that i simply dont want to work that hard. Tanning, shaving, neutralizing etc... is time consuming and hard work. Its totally worth it to me to pay the 40 bucks it costs me to have a deer cape commercially tanned.
In my opinion, 10 weeks is a recipe for burnout. You'll be pushed to produce tanning as well as mounts.
Unless your already convinced that you want to be a tanner as well as a taxidermist, your money could be better spent on a taxidermy only curriculum. If you then decide at some point to explore tanning options, then, at least you'll have enough under your belt to make an educated decision.

[ccook63]

Sent you a PM.

[kenking40]

I attended Western Pennsylvania School of Taxidermy Jan/Feb of 2011. I have been on my own for a year now and feel Mark Jordan's training was excellent. Mark, Shawn and Jason have been there for me with any questions that I have had, without hesitation, since I have been back home. These guys are great. You should check them out. Take care and good luck, Ken King, King's Wildlife Artistry