I'm a senior in high school and very interested in the taxidermy field. I've sent for information on many schools but have also been told that you can learn at home by using the videos. I would like to hear some input from someone about them. Another way that has been suggested is hands on training which I am in hopes to be arranging soon. Any input anyone has to help lead me in the right direction would be great. Thanks
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..by watching others play it. You have to sit at the table and hold the cards.
The same is true with the videos, but there is one invaluable thing you WILL LEARN. You'll learn techical and biological terms and you'll learn to recognize specific areas of your work. You will also learn professional methods that have, for the most part, passed the test of time. You'll see modern equipment and techniques that might be hard to find if you go down to "Neugene's Stuff-It" and you'll see what professionals look for.
Tapes are but a method of study and perform a vital service that you won't find just anywhere by people who are willing to share their knowledge. Buy the videos and see what you're about to get into. Commit them to memory. Then when you finally do sit down to the table, the cards won't look strange to you. Good Luck.
will show you how to do it, but you'll learn to do it by doing it making mistakes and learning from them! dont forget references. you cant make something if you dont know what it looks like!
Hi,
Before you go to a taxidermist to learn this field, be very careful. I had the unfortunate luck that he was more interested in my money than taking the time to teach me. The key word is TIME. Yes I did learn some things. Ultimately it comes down to watching and then practice. But the amount I paid, far exceeded what I was taught. Don't pay all at once. Unlike schools which will provide animals to work on, there is a good chance you will need to supply the animals.
Before you dish out the cash, compare prices with a taxidermy school.
Although having gone to a taxidermist, I learned some shortcuts and cost effective methods. I didn't have to buy some of the products that cost a lot of money. I think schools tend to promote different products and methods. I am learning on my own, with some video help. Go to a taxidermist and watch him do a duck or two. Then practice, practice, practice. There will be a lot of frustration, but that is ok. Don't expect perfection. Just have fun! Go into it slowly and see if you like it. Once in school you may realize that you don't care for it. Then you are out thousands of dollars. Don't jump fully into it right away.
Although I have been around it a long time, Dad did taxidermy
from time to time.But I just done my first deer head from a
McKenzie video. Make sure you get all the videos you need from
fleshing and tanning through finishing the deer or whatever it
is you want to do. A friend of mine went to a Taxidermy school
and his first deer looked pretty bad.
Videos are a good guide, but the few I have purchased
assume you know a little already, nothing beats hands
on training. Good luck.
are what makes or breaks most taxidermists. Did I mention some training in marketing and time management. How about income and sales taxes and filing your Schedule "C". And don't forget the important part concerning the conservation laws and their requirements relating to you. Taxidermy is "the art of taxiing the skin" but business or should I say "staying in business" requires more than just taxidermy skills. Just some food for thought. There is a lot of good info in these forums concerning do's and don'ts for business success.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A COUPLE OF VIDEOS FROM WASCO. ONE WAS MOUNTING THE WHITETAIL DEER FROM A TO Z. THE OTHER WAS MOUNTING THE AXIS DEER FROM A TO Z. I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE AMOUNT OF INFO IN THESE VIDEOS. I LEARNED ALOT AND FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING I MIGHT REALLY WANT TO TAKE UP. HOWEVER I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR IT AS WELL. IF I WERE YOU I WOULD GO TO SCHOOL GET CERTIFIED AND THEN GET AFTER IT ASAP TO FIND MY OWN GROVE. AFTER ALL DEER SEASON IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. THE ONLY THING HOLDING ME BACK FROM ATTENDING THE SCHOOL OF TAXIDERMY IS A FULL TIME JOB.