Business

[Medic502]

Iam new to taxidermy an iam looking at starting my own business can anyone give me any advice on what i need to do to get started with my own business in Virginia as for the laws an the permits that are requid in Virginia an what else i need to do. Any replies an advice what be great. Thanks

[WOODS TO WALLS]

Get with your state DNR officials or go to the county courthouse where you live

[mr.T aka mr. friendly]

Rule number one,, never take advice about your States laws from other people, READ them for your self so you get the laws first hand, and you will be correct.
Rule number two for bigginers, never look at other taxidermist work to copy from, always use the real live animal or pictures of live animals, never use others work to go by as reference, you could be copying others mistakes.

[Old Fart]

Respectfully, I am going to disagree slightly with Mr.T.  You can get information about rules and regulations from other taxidermists, IN YOUR OWN STATE....if you verify  the information with the proper authorities in your state. The experiences that other taxidermists have had can help you avoid some of the problems that they may have experienced. Especially in finding out who to call for information. So don't discount their advise completely, just make sure you check it out if it concerns legal issues.

As far as using other taxidermy work as reference, you can learn a lot from other's work. Both good and bad. If I had a Bill Yox deer head hanging in my shop, I'd sure as hell use it for reference! As good as your photographic reference may be, it's still just two dimensional. Sometimes you need something with some depth to show you just what you need to know. Never use photos of other taxidermy work for reference, there are too many live reference photos available. And even bad work can serve as reference for how to NOT do it.

[WOODS TO WALLS]

I would have to agree with the Old Fart on that one!!!

[bhymel]

If you are( New) to Taxidermy why worry about it as a business right now. 

[mr.T aka mr. friendly]

That's another point, being new to taxidermy and wanting to start a business whitout mounting an animal yet, is like marrying a girl in a third world country, you get married, and then you do the dating. You need to get some work under your belt before thinking about opening a business.

[bill@hogheaven]

Hey "T" I just noticed you got the batmobile running. Good for you.

[wttail]

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/forms/?type=1

here ya go medic...(hope the link works) taxidermy permit about halfway down. You can use your social as your federal ID.

I agree with the guys above though.....I been doing it for friends for about a year now..had the game warden out for a visit and he recommended I go ahead and get license even though no money exchanged yet. Its good to set up a dialog thru email with them that way if you find something really cool in the road on the way to work you can email to ask if its OK to keep. LOL ..sound goofy but I'm not kidding. Got three freezers full stuff! ...I'm just like you..trying to figure out how to turn a hobby into money. 

On the tax laws....get a good tax person...they will be worth the money.

Good Luck with it.

Chuck in SWVA

[wttail]

forgot the migratory birds! ...don't do any without a federal permit!

Think the general laws are attached to the state permit but there may be some (CWD) that are not...safe bet make... friends with the Game Warden.