FLCC?

[AndyB]

I was accepted into Finger lakes community college for environmental studies and I figured that I should take the course on taxidermy there. Anyone have anything to say about it good or bad?

[isiriu]

That's pretty neat! I was also looking at FLCC's course, but I hadn't heard anything about it either... I'd have to wait until I was done with my four-year at Cortland, but FLCC's not too far from home for me [compared to the school in Pennsylvania I was looking at for taxi]. 
If you do take the course, could you let me know how it goes?  It'd be greatly appreciated    I haven't found too many people from this region of NY!

[AndyB]

Ya i will let people know how it goes i was looking at some of the mount people did in the cases there and they are not that bad, some of them are very old and still in very good condition too.

[Bill . S]

The teacher for their Taxidermy has changed in the last year and a half .
I have spoken to the old teacher at length and it sounds like they still offer the same classes just under a different instructor .
I have seen work come from there both good and really bad .
The course takes longer than most people are willing to deal with because they break it up by semesters from what I understand .
The past instructor told me that the new husband and wife duo are very good at what they do and teach well .
I guess it's like anything else , you'll only get out of it what you put into it .

[animalxii]

I've been waiting for this post for a long time. I received my certificate from there two summers ago and was somewhat disappointed. The Potters are good taxidermists, but terrible teachers. They'll end up doing most of your work and then praising you for the great job you've done. The equipment is very outdated and theres never enough supplies. Next the classes arn't long enough to get anything done, and when class isn't in session theres a anthropology class along with others. so its very frustrating. They won't give you the knowledge you need to start your own business in fear that you'll turn into the competition. As far as the mounts in the hallway i put those there, which were donations, nothing that students did. The bird displays are mostly from the 50's and 60's.  you'll learn more on this website than you'll learn from them.....sorry that had built up for a looong time. but i suppose its a good base if you want to waste the money..... or my shop is ten minutes down the road which was opened after further education. 

AndyB The environmental  studies program is great. all the Professors there are amazing.    watch out for frank an foust!

[AndyB]

Thanks for the replies

[isiriu]

Animal, you have a shop out in the Fingerlakes area?  Would you be interested in taking on a student at some point? I'd be really interested! Birds, fish, mammals, anything really!

[Bill Yox]

Because my studio is in the same "region" I meet many students from there as customers. I was always under the impression that its a school that just happens to have that class almost as an afterthought. Its definitely not "taxidermy school". My brother went there, I think for criminal science, but didnt bother with that program. I dont mean to sound like Im putting it down, its just not what some might expect, as opposed to going to a trainer for formal taxidermy classes like those that you see advertised in breakthrough or taxinet, for example. I didnt know the Potters took that over, and I havent seen them in years, but they were always nice folks as I recall.

[Joe Winsor]

This is from FLCC course catelog:

Finger Lakes Community College is the only higher education institution in New York
State offering the Taxidermy Certificate Program. Employment opportunities for students
who complete this one-year program include full-time taxidermy positions with federal or
state agencies, or private enterprise. A limited number of museums also employ full-time
taxidermists.

Doesn't sound most appealing to the "average" prospective taxidermist....

[broken arrow]

Hey guys I went to Flcc also enrolled in the classes and found out they were not great.  I ended up dropping the classes because nothing was really being taught. But thats my opinion plus it was 3 yrs ago and apparently they just switched instructors. Good luck.