I am looking to pursue a full-time career in professional taxidermy. What are the average incomes of full-time taxidermists? I've heard anywhere from 20 to 200K net. I would also like to know where the best schools are for taxidermy. I found a few on the internet such as Missoula Valley school of Taxidermy but I know there are probably some that aren't posted. Also, how long does it take for the average taxidermist to get his business established and earn a comfortable living? ANY information that ANYONE can give will be greatly appreciated.
Tommy Mason
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This subject has been covered in depth over the past few days. Just go into it with eyes wide open, you won't walk out of ANY schools basic training into your own comfortable full-time practice. It takes time to build that. How much depends on many variables, including location,population base,artistic skills, etc.
I started out working with other taxidermist, so i had a slight advantage.One year after starting, I put up a sign, and pread the word.I bought a bussiness license and went for it.I read Breakthrough and Taxidermy Today from cover to cover. Attended seminars at NTA conventions,and worked 10 to 16 hours a day for six days a week,for three moore years.I't took me five years to get a constant back log of six months and my prices high enough to survive.Two years ago the highest priced taxidermist was $220.I knew I could not live on these prices. It was raise my prices or go back to work for the chemical plant(shift work-YUK)I went up on my prices, and guess what? the other taxidermist went up too!Here is my advice:1-Don't start out cheap. Keep your prices at least close to the other taxidermist(their more willing to share info if your not trying to cut their throwts)I'm good friends with all of the local taxidermist. And we all make a good living. especially now that the prices higher.You will get better faster if you keep your prices up.And , beleave it or not, you will keep alot more of your customer base. Even if put out shotty work in the beginning.Advice#2--Don't try and be the best at everything right off. specialize in a couple things at first.I surveyed the market and realized that most taxidermist did not do birds. those that did were really bad or had more than they could do.I now have a huge customer base with birds, and i do most of the birds for the other taxidermists. Needless to say I get a very good price on birds.Advice#3-- The area I live in has a reachable base of around 100,000 people.Thats anyone who lives within an hour drive of my shop. If your area is smaller you can expand this by placing-pick-up and drop off pionts out of your area. sporting goods, country stores, bait and tackel, ect.Readvice- DON'T BE AFRAID TO CHARGE! I'ts better to start off slow-You'll grow faster.Advice#4--If you find yourself running short of work. talk to the other taxidermist and see if you can flesh hides for them. If your going to do cheap work, do it for the other taxidermist. It will build a better relationship with them. and everybody comes out ahead. Hope this helps someone! Ron