Can anyone recommend me a great taxidermy school?

[Scrubby]

When searching for a school keep this in mind you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. Whatever school you choose they will teach you how to do what you have to do but you must reatain the knowledge and just like anything, experience is important. Each mount you do after completion and looking at your notes from the class will make you better. Using reference for your monuts, even the experienced do that. This is a field of never ending practice and learning, join your state association go to seminars and conventions. Learn with each and every project. For the person that was not impressed with what he learned or how it was taught. You get what you put back into it. Whether you learn from a established artist or a school you will still learn afterwards. Good luck

[Ihntdeer]

I've seen alot of great responses, but are you looking to specialize is a specific species?  If you want to learn, see people that are species specific. Look in the back of any Breakthrough and they will list schools.  Good luck

[Rich H.]

give steve a call @ academy of realistic taxidermy in havre montana

[WOODSWISE]

I definately agree Rich. Steve really isn't a bad guy at all.He definately knows his stuff. Even though the price seems high, it really isn't. With the amount of instruction and the contacts he has, you really can't go wrong. You get what you put in. Schools open 24/7 and you have the freedom to work at your own pace........somewhat. It's actually posted on taxidermy.net    Academy of Realistic Taxidermy        A.R.T.

[BONK]

MISSOURI INSTITUTE OF TAXIDERMY
I just recently graduated form there and I'm so glad i chose them.  Very reasonably priced.  The knowledge you receive is worth way more than what it cost.  They are TOP NOTCH people and will always be there to help you in a pinch.  If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't choose any other place.

[Anders]

Well, it looks like everyone has a different answer. I'm sure there are alot of good schools out there, but the one I liked the most and ended up going to was Northwest Iowa School of Taxidermy in Spirit Lake. They are some great people that know what they are doing. They will go though and teach you anything you need to know.

[Big John]

We consider ourselves one of the leaders in Big Game Head Mounting.  Our students come from all over the World and it's the Students which have made us just what we are today.  Simply put "One of the Best".

WWW.GRIFFITHTAXIDERMY.COM

John Griffith
606-376-4380
Stearns, Kentucky

[Donn]

I would definitly reccomend Missouri Taxidermy Institute, I graduated with Russ from visions of wildlife taxidermy and it was top notch......

[Marc Gaines]

i just took a class this summer at stoney hills school of taxidermy. I couldnt ask for anything better if you really want quality schooling Randy is the guy to see! PLEASE check out his website youll be impressed!
www.stoneyhills.com

[EM]

I attended the Colorado Institute of Taxidermy Training in Canon City from March 19^th through May 26^th of this year, taking the full course. 

This is what I have to say:

1.  Jerry and Buddy are both good men who would not think twice about doing whatever they can to help anyone they can.  I love what they had to teach me and how they taught it.  What a former poster said about Jerry making us feel like members of the family, exactly right!  (The other students and I spent Easter at Jerry & Anne's home.)  I also like Grig Gusan who was an instructor for Birds.  Of the 3 people in the state of Colorado who are licensed to process birds of prey for the DOW, Grig and Jerry are two, and they tandem taught Birds at CITT.

2.  Me living in Canon City was hard on my husband and kids, but we all made it through.  The beauty of the mountains, the proximity of fishing & hunting, it was all breath taking. 

3.  The cost of tuition, supplies and my room wasn't too much, certainly not too far out of reach to deter me from taking the class.

4.  I learned more in those 2 1/2 months than I even thought was possible.  Living directly above the school, and being able to work/learn from 8:00 in the morning until ? at night, Monday through Friday with additional work time on Saturday, was awesome. 

5.  They taught the techniques of taxidermy as well as the business of it.  They run a fully functioning taxidermy business (Big Timber South) in the same building as the school.  We saw Buddy & Jerry working on client pieces, while we worked on our own.  Then all of the work we did, (in my case, 2 rainbow trout, 1 walleye, 1 small mouth bass, 2 crappie, 1 blue gill, 2 pheasants, 1 chukar, 1 goldeneye hen, 1 snow goose, a squirrell, a bobcat, 1 3x3 panel mount mule deer, 1 2x2 panel mount mule deer, 1 5x5 shoulder mount mule buck, 1 antelope, and 1 shoulder mount 7x7 bull) all went home with us. 

6.  The largest group of students at any one time was 7 and that was in Gameheads. In Fish class there were 2 other students, in Birds there were 4 others and in Lifesize there were 3.  The classes were purposefully small which allowed for a lot of individual 1 on 1 learning. 

7.  If I have any questions or need any help regarding work I'm doing now, Jerry & Buddy are there.  If I decide I want to go back to Canon City with a project, for example a kodiak bear lifesize, CITT has an open door policy.  I can go back whenever I want.

Results:  I made up some business cards and let my friends, neighbors and co-workers know that I am a licensed taxidermist.  I quit my "regular" job in June.  I have taken in 1 black bear rug, 1 brown bear rug, 1 european brown bear skull, 5 european mule bucks, 2 european bulls, 1 panel mount buck with burning on the leather, 1 panel mount bull, 9 Elk ivory jewelery pieces, 2 ptarmigan, 1 grouse, 1 shoulder mount buck, 3 turkey fans, buck panel mount, caribou panel mount, plus fish and repair work, it's been insane but I am LOVING it all!!

If anyone decides to go to CITT, please let me know how your experience was...I wish you the best of luck! 

[northflorida]

North Florida School of Taxidermy www.schooloftaxidermy.net or call 386-658-2018 very reasonable rates.Plus a place to stay and food for a $150.00 exrtra a week.A dipolma is given at the end of class.

[Still Life Taxidermy]

If you are willing to go to Wisconsin you should really go to American Institute of Taxidermy. I went there and was very pleased. I enjoyed my classes very much. They also have online classes if you do not want to travel. If you are interested the website for the school is www.americantaxidermy.com.