First off I'd like to say I'm approaching this realistically. I'm 32 I have have a job, married, no kids (yet), and would like to be my own boss. I'm a conservative, old fashioned kinda man, and would only consider opening my own studio if my work was , not just good, but excellent. After all this would be a career change, and I would need to make a living at it. I live in an area where there are studios open and all seem to have the business they want. I don't live near a school, and don't want to move to a school or quit working my day job.
How (where) do I get started?. Books? Videos? Tools? Supplies? wholesalers? I'd first like to try it out in my garage and seen how I like it, it sure seems interesting, and I believe I have the artistic ability and "eye" for it. Also would it be possible to be a "specialist" and say just do fish?
I'll consider all suggestions.
From reading this forum I'd like see what advice George has for me.
Thank you
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Cleaning up deer brain and skull matter off your clothes, floor and table. Having eye fluid pop out all over your hands. Trying to pop those ticks crawling all over your fleshing table before they jump on you. The wonderfull aroma of bear hide drying in your shop. The dog down the block dragged the garbage all over the street, skinned deer heads and fish guts for your neighbors to behold. Sounds great so far? I love it! Your turn George LOL
How about fish, since this is the season. You can skin and mount a bunch of pan fish for less than $200.00 with a tape a the book to guide you thru. Hlaf-cast method of course even carve a few.
They will be a good starter.
-Brandon
I started with the Northwestern School of Taxidermy but it is no longer
around and also very antiquated(I bet you all like that big word antiquated
coming from a taxidermist LOL!)any how I moved on to the Breakthrough
manuals and also videos and seminars. I consider myself a decent
taxidermist but I am better at fish than anything. So to answer your question
about specializing yes it can be done. But I would say you should
start out slow before jumping in and doing the career change thing.
I have had my shop since 1994 and still have a day job. I am still not ready
to go full time. I have alot more to learn before I could take that step.
Join your state association and get the books and videos we mentioned
and practice practice practice.
Todd B
You don't HAVE to go to a school to learn. Many of us are self-taught. Videos and books are good, but a friend in the business, the web site, and state/national shows and seminars can't be beat. You'll learn more in a weekend at one of the shows than you can in months or years of trial and error. If it goes for you like it did me, it'll be ten-times harder than you thought! Then, with each new mount it will get easier and faster. It is hard work... very hard. You will probably have to give up other passions such as hunting and fishing, or at the least slow down on them. It's not so bad though, because once you get into taxidermy, and have the passion for it, the other stuff kind of takes a back seat anyway.
As far as specializing, it depends on your geographic environment and your skill. Win a world title and you can specialize the next day!LOL Good luck. ...Rick
The reason I say this,you mentioned no children "yet",and being an old fashioned guy.Start off with the mentioned advice from the ones so far and then after finding out what it all entails,it may give you a better understanding.Don't forget, the wife can come in mighty handy when working in the shop,that is,if she is willing too. Oh, and as far as the dogs go, running off with debris, that's when the pellet gun comes in even handier! lol
Books and videos are great but nothing beats actual hands on training from another taxidermist. I was lucky to have become friends with a taxidermist with 20+ years experience. He has taught me so much more than any book by itself could ever have. I have had experience with deer, waterfowl, bears, cats and many exotics. I could not have gained that experience on my own in many years of work. I provided free labor to him and he provided free training to me and it has worked out great. Check with your locals, many welcome the help and look forward to teaching newcomers. Confident taxidermist should not be threatened by you getting into the business and should welcome it. Good luck, I have finally made one of my dreams come true and you can too. As far as doing it for a full time living it will probably take a few years to get established even if your work is top notch. Don't give up your day job just yet.