I first went to Taxidermy school in 1995 in Thompson Falls, MT with Steve Fundumn of Missoula Valley School of Taxidermy and had to quit after 3 weeks when my husband cut me off financially, we were divorced shortly thereafter ( not necessarily because of that) Later I went back to the same school, because I could not get taxidermy out of my mind, I was addicted bigtime after 3 weeks. In 1998 I completed the 8 week course. Moved to Alaska thinking it the perfect place to be a taxidermist, but I was out in the bush and the people that came in to sports fish and hunt always took them back with them on the plane and the natives threw them in their yards and didn't get any business, I was there for 5 years since 1996. Just moved to Montana 5 months ago and tried getting on with some local Taxidermists, but no one needs any help. At this point I have every thing I need to do taxidermy (supplies and equipment) but nowhere to do it. It's been so long that I don't even know if I still have the touch and I've lost a lot of hope, I don't know, I have flyers up everywhere and ads in the papers and I have received no calls. This sounds like a serious sob story and I am sorry I just would like to know what other people in the taxidermy industry would say to my situation or maybe give me a little advise on what they think I should do or what they would do if they were in my shoes. Thank you for your time.
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some of your work out in the pulics eye. Join your state Association and try and make some friends/contacts there. Join a local rod/gun club and get your name circulating. You weren't clear on whether you wanted to go it on your own or go to work for/with someone else, if you wan to work for someone else offer up a weeks trial in their shop, let them see your capabilities and maybe someone does have a place for you. Just keep in mind that an awful lot of us felt at one time as you do now, very few became "famous" overnight and are familiar with what you're going through. There was just a taxidermost from Colorado looking to supervise someone mounting game heads in his shop, maybe you should post here making a similar offer. If it's truly what you want to do keep a positiuve attitude and MAKE it happen. I personally wish you all the good luck in the world. Keep us posted here and let us know how things come together for you.
on the forum not long ago about a taxidermy shop for sale in Cody Wyoming, which is near Yellowstone park. I don't know what your financial situation is, or how deeply you are rooted in Montana, but you might be able to swing an arrangement with the shop's owners. You never know until you try. It is only a suggestion, but you can reach them at: www.wtp.net/~fishart/ ....Good luck to you.
My intention is not to be rude,but could it be the moving around? If you have given this same story to the ones that you have crossed paths with, is there a possiblity that they are not taking you serious? Sometimes, there are rough edges that need to be sharpened.
If this is your dream, you can make it happen.
It really boiles down to that.Taxidermy is a long time commitment type of career, and can be really slow to get started. I am in alaska, and I have about a three-on a good year-month season where im at with fish.It seems that your not overly confident in your work, so maybe working for someone would be a good idea, until you get back into a more production frame of mind. Most of the really talented artists i've met, really strugle with the buisiness end of life, but, ya gotta do it. So, go sell yourself. Guides, Outfitters, whomever, mostly, I think people want to know that your commited, and wont be a "here today, gone tomarrow" Buisiness. Also, find an area that you want to live, that can support a taxidermst. Thier out there, you just got to find them. Ive been in your shoes, trying to find my nitch in my choosen career,its a bitch some times, just hang tough, and remember that every "no" is that much closer to a yes. Good Luck.
It depends on what kind of taxidermy business you want. Do you want to become a BIG major shop mounting thousands of pieces a year and employing several people, or do you want to be the taxidermist who mounts enough pieces a year to make a decent living? If the latter is your choice I can help you right away. THESE ARE JUST MY OWN OBSERVATIONS AND ARE NOT MEANT TO OFFEND ANYONE! First of all, living in the bush is usually going to kill you. Most successful shops here (I am in OH)are located at least within 30 minutes of heavily populated areas. Like you said, most of the outsiders were taking their work home. They have heard too many horror stories of people leaving deposits in Alaska, or Canada and then never recieving their work. They want their work where THEY can check on it. You have to have numbers to get a good amount of work. 10% of people hunt and fish, 10% are ANTIS, and the other 80% do not care. So you have to get most of that work from that 10% If you live in a county with only 10,000 people or less, well do the math. That does not leave many people to work with. You can try to live in a area where their are lots of sportsmen coming, but that is no guarentee. Add up your being a new face, less people in Montanna, and their views on what is a trophy and you get the picture. You also need time to build a business. Like the above post said keep putting oout the fliers and put out some display pieces. Don't over do it because display will only help so much. Get to know local meat processors and bait shops. Not just to show up once a year to give them your fliers. Go and buy some meat/tackle from them every so often. Learn their names, and use them! Talk about THEIR business and yours. I can not stress the importance of good will! When people bring trophies into their business, your name will start to come up more often. People have to know you before they will trust you in this business. Next when you get a piece in, especially since you say you are not busy, do it RIGHT AWAY! Do not wait till the weekend, or when your form comes in. Skin and tan/prep it immediately then mount it as soon as possible. NEVER put a unskinned specimen in the freezer if you can help it. Get that work out fast and your business will GROW. Deliver on your promises. Finally, do good quality work. It is important because if your work is appealing then when it these guys show their friends, their friends will HAVE to have it also. I have worked in large studios before, and believe me it is no picnic. It definitely won't help you in YOUR own business. It just becomes a job. If that is what you want, keep looking those shops are out there. If you want something of your own, don't give up and do some of the things I mentioned. The more people where you are the quicker it will come. POPULATION+CONTACTS+SPEED+QUALITY=SUCCESS.
PS I forgot ot mention $$$$. You have to charge enough to make good money. Don't think that underpricing is the way to success. It usually is the road to getting buried.
HELLO MICHELE I have been in the taxidermy business now for nine years it is hard to get started esspecially were you are but if you want it, it will come to you hell I didn't get started making a profit until four years after I started my business and I have slacked off on customers because I work another job also it takes alot out of you but if thats all you want to do thats great. I don't know how it is up there where you are I'm way down here in Louisiana but if there is someone there you can work for for a while that would be the best thing you could do for yourself until you could get your name known to the hunting clubs around there I know they have quite a few of them in Alaska. That would be your best bet if they are not all already taken by another taxidermist. Don't step on any toes, you know what I mean. Just don't give up Michele there is alot of business out there. I wanted to give up at one time in fact I had for awile I don't know what made me get started really;fate I quess put it to you this way I should have seventeen years under my belt instead of just nine. Well anyway back to you again like I said don't give up it takes time to get yourself essablished no matter where you are. So good luck and lots of from L.O.T.