Getting tired

[Hedhuntr]

Going on 3 weeks now 5 days a week 12-14hrs a day averaging 2 deer a day. So this is what burn out is like???

[GregC424]

Slow down, if you push your self when you are tired you and your work will suffer.

[Greg Livbucks]

When you get it all done, you can kick back and take a vacation. Always keep a goal in your sights and work toward it. When you get there you can enjoy the fruit. Keep telling yourself that there is a reason for the work. The climb is hard but the view is awesome.

[Bucknut]

Being a part timer is even worse. Work 40 hours a week at a regular job and then 3-4 hours per night and then two 12 hour days on the weekend.

Bruce

[Nana]

Being a part timer is even worse. Work 40 hours a week at a regular job and then 3-4 hours per night and then two 12 hour days on the weekend.

Bruce

Yep!  That is exactly our schedule right now!  We have four with the epoxy work done ready to paint.  Four more drying.  Two more hides in the Krowtann now.  We get started January 1st and take a slow weekend once we have eight on the forms, so this was that weekend.

By the second batch of four we are back in the swing of things with our routine.

We have about 20 deer, a bear, two bobcats and a few squirrels and ducks to do.  Our goal is to be done in time for Spring fishing.

[Hedhuntr]

I save some time and have my tannery do mount ready tans for me. Everything done except the earliners. Even the holes all sewed up. Its more money but I just upped my price to accommodate for the difference. I can mount one up in 4 hours and it save me allot of time. Next year I am shooting for 6 month turnaround. Now if I see it get to my threshhold I will stop the 6 month turnaround.

[michael p.]

Going on 3 weeks now 5 days a week 12-14hrs a day averaging 2 deer a day. So this is what burn out is like???

5 days a week, 12-14 hour days.... man, that's an easy week! (not being sarcastic, it seriously is) from October to near the end of January we usually go 7 days a week, 15 hours a day..... but that leads to some extra down time during the year to travel, fish & hunt

[Dawg3458]

Hedhuntr,
I feel your pain.  I have mounted 41 WT heads since X-mas ..... Mounted the last head yesterday. Thought I was done with the deer. Then the phone rang earlier.
  So now I have one deer left, 2 coons,2 ducks,7 euro, & 41 heads to paint by March 15th.    

[mr.T aka mr. friendly]

Hire a hand, that way you can do three a day in 8 hours.

[Hedhuntr]

Going on 3 weeks now 5 days a week 12-14hrs a day averaging 2 deer a day. So this is what burn out is like???

5 days a week, 12-14 hour days.... man, that's an easy week! (not being sarcastic, it seriously is) from October to near the end of January we usually go 7 days a week, 15 hours a day..... but that leads to some extra down time during the year to travel, fish & hunt

I hear ya Mike, I know your a busy shop. I follow your post and see you do a little a little traveling when the smoke clears. Mr. T I wish I could hire another hand.

[DanielGtaxi]

Hey mp instead of working insane hours working your life away, why not charge more? make same cash and do less heads. You obviously have a good customer base Im sure that would be best unless you just enjoy large volume and stress.(srs)

[gobbler71]

Stress, what stress?

[Matt]

I try not to stress too much on my workload(but I do at times). I could work those kind of hours, but I choose not to, I have a young family and would like to see them grow up. After deer season is over(which is now) I get going and start getting pieces together, but I don't kill myself anymore, been there done that. Pace yourself and enjoy your work, or you will burn out and that is no fun, been there done that. I believe my life is better now as a result of re-structuring my schedual. If I mount one piece a day, finish a few, and prep a few, I still get things done ahead of my schedual. I am even going to make a show or two this year!

[michael p.]

Hey mp instead of working insane hours working your life away, why not charge more? make same cash and do less heads. You obviously have a good customer base Im sure that would be best unless you just enjoy large volume and stress.(srs)

I charge as much as I can and raise prices every year.....but there is a fine line not to be crossed.  I know what I am worth and my ability, if I charge above that then I will have no business.  I'd rather work my ass off with a bunch of work priced to where I am making good money then be overpriced scratching my ass wondering where my next paycheck is going to come from.  Right now I am on schedule to take about 30 days vacation broken into week long increments before October so i'm not gonna change much right now.

[davehyer]

I am a part timer, have been doing taxidermy for others for 10 years, give or take. I work 7 days a week, during the week it's usually 4-5 hours a night and at least 12 a day on weekends. I love doing taxidermy and I also love to stay busy so it's really not too bad.

I do take time to bow hunt and in the winter we take some snowmobiling trips so I make time when i want to.