You've all probably heard this before. I hope I don't bore anyone. I have 9 months till a military retirement and I'm interested in taxidermy. I just recently started hunting and found out that I REALLY enjoy it. Taxidermy has always facinated me. I'm just not sure I will be able to handle the artistic side of it. I have some ability but I don't think I'd call myself an artist. Does someone have a way or an Idea of how I could give it go? Any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time.
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If you truly enjoy fishing and hunting, this is the LAST job you're going to want. Why? Because you'll have to stop hunting and fishing. While your FRIENDS are fishing and hunting, you'll be expected to be at the shop for their beck and call. I'm a retiree and I know if I'd have saved more, invested wiser, and just stayed retired, I'd be having a lot more time to do what I really enjoy. Now I'm on 15 hour days, seven days a week. Your vacations are planned around visiting a local taxidermist there for a tax write off and you end up feeling guilty about the backlog that's not being worked on. Think about this one long and hard before you jump.
I recomend to stay with the birds the rest of it is pretty tough and messy at times? Bird taxidermy can be learned quickly and because birds have so many feathers to cover up mistakes,You'll catch on quick to it....Lloyd Canada
Retiring from the military may leave you a lot of time for hunting and fishing, but doing taxidermy may really eat up your time. I don't know of many true 9-5er's in the industry, wait I don't know of any 9-5er's Many have to open Sundays just to get by.
No one area is easy to learn, but if you really must give it a shot, try Birds and start with two weeks of lessons with Troy Rose in Boise Idaho. Troy is a outstanding taxidermist and can teach any of it.
Remember in education the big schools are not always the best.
I am a part timer and I work a full time job. I am priced high enough to make good money and I still get to hunt and fish. It is nice that I do not have to rely on taxidermy for my house payment or truck payment. I would recommend it for you since you will be getting a military pension. It beats the heck out of standing in the front of the Wal-Mart store as a greeter. Lloyd mentioned birds good choice. I myself recommend fish. I have enjoyed all aspects of taxidermy but those 2 choices are my favorite.
Todd B
Monty, Interesting..the art part. Lots of us like to claim the title "artist" when it comes to taxidermy. Personally I see it more as a skill or craft similar to cabinet making. Oh it's complicated as all and the more you learn the more you need to learn and in it all there is a certain "feel" for how things should look but I stop short of calling myself an artist. As for it being right for you, hey only you can say. If you want to do it for pleasure, for sure go to it. Soon you will know if there is any pleasure in it for you. As far as doing it for a job....well I don't want anything else but my wife feeds me and makes sure we keep the house and I just sort of piddle around all do and pretend to be an artist---it's a great life!-Aaron H
Thanks George, Lloyd, John C, Todd B, Aaron H, for your time and advice. I think I will take it nice and slow and give it my best shot. Thanks again.