I'm interested in starting a part-time career in taxidermy(fish). In the area where I live not many taxidermist want to mess with fish...they prefer deer...I have been looking at all the stuff involved and it seems pretty extensive. I do have a BA in ART, so, I feel pretty confident about my abilities with the airbrush...but does anyone out there know of any sites on the net, suggested video series, or any information that will help me get this show on the road?.....I know a lot of people with fish in the freezer and no one to mount 'em...I know it will take some time for me to become competent...but any helpful hints for a beginner would be appreciated.
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Don when you say a lot how many people are holding out in the freezer. Seriously Most full time taxidermist have to dip in all fields in order to make it . If you try specializing in deer than you won't get enough to make it full time. maybe as part time but how does the work look. Although there are some excellent part time guys out there. To answer your question some guys are intimidated by painting a fish getting the colors to come out . The fact that you have studied art will help contact WASCO on this site they have all the videos you need. Tom Sextons, is a good one anything with Mike Orthober painting is good also. Then get under someone that knows what they are doing it will help you out. Be prepared to pay the price needed to get well trained then the rest is up to you. Hope this helps.
Donnie, I actually read this post AFTER I responded to your email... Living in an area with 11 million plus people I tend to have a different perspective than Elmer. Elmer's probably right about diversifying to make ends meet in some areas but I have a different philosophy.
IMHO there are far too many taxidermists "specializing" in everything from deer to toads and everything in-between! And, the end result is a lot of "Jacks of all trades but masters of none". Of course there are exceptions - but very few. Go to a Sports Show and you'll see what I mean. Before doing fish myself, I use to go to these shows and grab Taxidermists' business cards and I'd jot on the back what they did well. And, sometimes I'd jot down what they DIDN"T do well so as I wouldn't make the mistake of taking certain species to them. If you feel you have a market for fish and it interests you, by all means focus on fish. You can always learn the other "easier" (lol!) taxidermy later if need be. Of course you could do a market analysis and everything. But to me it sounds as though Fish Taxidermy interests you anyways. Get good and approach it part-time. Then, once your quality smokes everybody in your area then you're ready to market, market, market!
I know a guy that has ~200 fish in his freezer (~2 years backlog) and only does fish. The bottom line is he's the best in this area and certain clientel are willing to pay upwards of $14/inch AND wait two years to get their fish done. You're looking for the 10% of the folks wanting quality mounts - not the price shoppers...
Your email address is bad! I've shipped my response from two of my email accounts only to bounce back. I spent a fair amount of time composing my answer and I hope you read this and respond with a good email address so that you may benefit....
Have large surinam toad with full dorsal pouchlets. Where is this toad expert located? LOL.......We must have had the same english professors. I didn't respond to this post, knowing full well that folks like you would answer it so well. Eloquent. Elmer, Marty, you da mans! Don, heed th' advice. Remember, the longest journey begins with directions at the local gas station.
Unless you and I have a taxidermy license, fur bearers license & "Toadkill" pickup permit we cannot legally transport this frog - sorry! LOL!
Bill just painted my first Bullfrog turned out real good so I am marketing all the frog hunters in the area.LOL
Don,
With a degree in art you've got a head start. You must have at least some talent. I've seem successful people with little talent, but a lot of desire go a longs ways.
I specialize in fish and do just fine full-time. I get back logged too. However, remember it will probably take some time to build up to full-time.
If you want to really hone your skill you should start competing and getting critiques as soon as possible. Don't worry about winning at first. Just going to shows and seeing what is out there will make a difference.Of course, seminars are good too.
As far as specializing what really bugs me is people who do well in one area and really stink in another, but they still take in the stuff they know they are bad at. They should know how bad they are and stay away from the things they can't do. I know guys that do an awesome deerhead but can't paint a quality fish to save their soul. They've even been chewed out by customers when the customer gets his fish back. But they still take them in! Seems it would be better for their reputation to stick with the deerheads.
Cecil