Q and A, anyone?

[lellowbuttons]

Hey all, I'm looking for any taxidermists to interview for a school project. I'll ask less than 20 questions, and will email or call you. Whichever you prefer. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Cole]

You should post your 20 questions here, and several could answer them.

[Keyda81]

You should post your 20 questions here, and several could answer them.

X2.  I'm sure you'd get a lot of different answers that way too.

[MLP]

The reason posting your questions would probably get you more response is there have been a few people on here try something like this to manipulate information shared to promote certain liberal causes or to demean taxidermy/hunting etc. You can e-mail your questions to me at mike@smrglobal.org but for me to consider responding you'll need to include your name, address, school, and define the school project you're using the information for.

[lellowbuttons]

MLP, I may be dumb, but I ain't stupid. I'll keep my address and name private. If you find anything manipulative with my questions, don't answer them. I don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable.

1.   What got you into the field?
2.   Did you ever see yourself becoming a taxidermist, if you weren’t raised into it?
3.   How long have you been in the business?
4.   How have things changed from when you started to today?
5.   What do you think is the most challenging aspect of being a taxidermist?
6.   What’s the best thing about your job?
7.   Favorite animal to mount?
8.   How do you promote your work?
9.   How many hours do you put in weekly?
10.   What can I do this summer to get my career started?
11.   Any advice to give someone looking into the business?

[Cole]

1.   What got you into the field?
I enjoy art, wildlife, and needed a career.
2.   Did you ever see yourself becoming a taxidermist, if you weren’t raised into it?
N/A Was raised into it.
3.   How long have you been in the business?
My business has been here 23 years, I have owned it for 12.
4.   How have things changed from when you started to today?
More and more pre-fab habitats and snap together manikins.
5.   What do you think is the most challenging aspect of being a taxidermist?
Coming up with something new and creative.
6.   What’s the best thing about your job?
No boss, love what I do, freedom, challenging.

Worse things: mediocre pay, no benefits (insurance, paid vacation, etc.), no built in retirement, no steady paycheck.
7.   Favorite animal to mount?
Cats of all sizes and fish.
Least favorite: Birds
8.   How do you promote your work?
Website, flyer mailings
9.   How many hours do you put in weekly?
50+
10.   What can I do this summer to get my career started?
Job shadow/Internship
11.   Any advice to give someone looking into the business?
Go to college, get a real job and do this as a hobby. Then you can allow yourself to grow in this trade as little or much as you wish.