I'm a novice taxidermist, if I can go as far as saying that much, I do it strictly for hobby sake! I have a few mounts under my belt, that didn't turn out half bad, I'm sure the "professionals" could tear it up, but I'm proud of my work thus far. I want to learn more and more, what I have learned is from vidoes and books, and from this forum... Thanks guys! But here is what I'm running in to, I called a few of my locals around, and told them I have no interests in taking on any of their business I just want to learn. I have offered my services for free, provided they show me how to do different things, nothing special, just their basics. I have had a few say they have hired a few kids from after school jobs to do the "dirty" work, but other wise they would have. But a couple have just down right said there is no way in he** they are going to show me or anyone else didly squat! And have been rather rude and crappy about this. I have a full time job, and I'm not looking to take anyone's business. I had a friend that did it full time, and he moved from the area, that was well respected by all that knows him, but like I said, he moved. I'm not going to bash these guys that were this way, but i will not take anything to these guys, that is for certain. So what is going on, I taked to my friend and he said these are the type that have kept Taxidermy secret for years, but everything they do I could learn from vidoes and books, but these are the type that are offended by such! How do you guys feel about this, sorry so long.
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I've talked to ppl like this too. Basically I feel that they are unconfident yet arrogant (from my experience with these types anyway). They lack confidence in their originality and artistic vision and are frightenned that ppl will take their business. Few ppl get into this trade from a plan. It starts as a hobby and you learn from these guys then one day you realize "Shoot - I could be doing this instead of going to that factory day in; day out! why not go for it?!?!". Then all of a sudden what they taught you does come back to bite them square in the arse. Personally I feel if you are doing good work you will build a customer base. If you keep doing good work - you will keep those customers. Those customers will tell their friends. You are safe in your profession with new work incoming regularly. Offer a better product and you will stay in business. A lot of the local guys here are using old techniques, crappy materials and stale old poses *yawn* They won't teach new people a damned thing because they know the young pups here will usurp them. Its a fear - a fear of having the student surpass the teacher. There are only so many heads in a given area to be mounted however - and for the few that were brave enough to go for it as a business.. any threat from competition is a serious one. Competition could destroy them if there just isn't enough work in a given area. I can see why they would be reluctant to share their ideas. But then again - they have brought it on themselves. Those who fail to evolve, go extinct *shrugs*. Make way for the next generation - but dont expect the old generation to help you through the door ;)
Hi Elk, Its too bad you feel that way as most taxidermists are very nice to deal with. You may not feel that you are taking any of their work by just learning, but in order to get better at taxidermy, you need more mounts to practice on. Beginners generally charge a lot less and people like the cheaper prices, so in a way you could be pulling work away from them. You may want to try and find a taxidermist father away from your locale.
Taxidermists generally have to take time and money to learn their profession. I realize that you are offering to work for free, but you are stating your demands on what you want to learn. Once you have learned, you most likely will be starting your own business. A taxidermist could easily spend a few thousand dollars to start learning taxidermy, where you would like to learn for free, except for your time.
Everybody starts out like you, but it is up to you on how far you want to go and how determined you are.
If you want to learn basically learn for free, find and join your state taxidermy association and you will get all kinds of help. You can learn from state, national, and world champions, and have fun doing it.Hope this might help.
Most taxidermist may be nice people TODAY, but 30 or 40 years ago that was the prevalent attitude. Raven nailed this one. Trade secrets are kept by untalented, uneducated dolts who fail to realize there ARE NO SECRETS. WASCO has been a blessing to this industry because they supported this site where knowledgeable people could share COMMON KNOWLEDGE freely. Thank them when you get a chance and remember the guys with the secrets. In a few years, you'll have more than a few opportunities to thank them for NOT SHARING their ideas with you.
...you didnt tell us where you were from. You might be surprised. Someone on this site may be close to you and willing to let you spend some time with them...
Elk, Here's the deal for me. I taught a small introduction class at the local community college. Just a few local guys that wanted to learn to do their own deer heads and such. Well now one of those guys is building a shop. I'm not worried about it though because I know it will be several years before he gets good enough to be real competition. Now he will certainly get some business but if a customer is just looking for a low price I'm not getting him anyway. My thing is that I'll tell anybody anything I know about taxidermy and listen if you have something to say about it too. Those that think they are protecting their business by holding "secrets" only lose potential customers- remember many people try this thing and once they see the work involved go back to the professional. If I were in your place I'd widen my search to any nearby shops that might be friendlier. Asking questions is one thing, but if a lesson is what you seek payment for the time would be proper. Good luck in your search- Aaron H.
Elk goes into a public chat on the internet thats main objective is to offer info on taxidermy, to complain about how closed minded and tight lipped taxidermists are? Ummm, maybe you should go into McDonalds and ask for the recipe for the sauce on the Big Mac. By all means let them know you arent going to sell burgers, just for your own consumption. While youre out, stop by the laundramat and ask for the method they use to remove stains, just for the home, not to start a business or anything. Maybe you can sweep hair off the floor while you watch and learn how to color hair at the salon. Sounds kinda silly, doesnt it? Thats my point. Those taxidermists are just as surprised by your request as you are about their reply. They dont have any obligation to teach. Thats why theres a site as valuable as this, along with taxidermy organizations, videos, workshops, etc. See it through their eyes before you consider them not worthy of your future business...
Maybe these guys are just too damned busy to be bothered with having their time wasted by a "wannabe". No offense intended to anyone personally but from the info you've given it sounds like you're making assumptions that could be incorrect. I've taken the time to show certain people some techniques but couldn't afford to babysit every guy who has ever wanted me to teach them what I know. It has nothing to do with being afraid of competion either. It's just a good business practice to not waste time when you should be working on jobs that will bring in profit. The time (money) lost to teach you wouldn't necessarily be offset by the work you would do around his shop.
Then again, maybe I'm wrong and you did run across somebody who's just a jerk. They can be found in all proffessions.
Big Mac sauce is nothing more than good ole fashionned thousand islands dressing =) Seriously - I aint crappin ya... try it - it's yummy - mmmm =9
Joke? no, I was just asking the local taxidermist for help, I in turn would be helping them. I know that each of these taxidermist due to it being a fairly small town, and from sporting events, and also have had them mounts done. I hear them say they are soo busy, that thye have had to turn away business. I also know one of them just take 100 local heads per year, and no more, he gets his business from clientell elsewhere. Yes, I was asking for something free, but in turn I was offering to do work for them, I guess in your eyes my time is free, huh? And it wasn't like I would lern only what I wanted to learn, I was willing to learn what they wanted to teach or show me. Yes, I did come on a public forum (not chat) and ask why this attitude towards people that want to learn. The fellas I talked to do this as a side business, or extra income, however you want to look at it. I found someone that is an older gentleman that has offered to show me anything I would like to know, he is retired and does this on his free time, and welcomes the help. In fact, he has taught a lot of the local "cowboys" that refuse to allow anyone in on their ranch. Just because I asked I didn't feel they were obligated to show me anything or what not. As far as taking someones business, the only business I plan to take from these guys is my own, and family. One other thing, Mcdonalds? I worked there when I started college, so I know what they use and make things, no big secret, and Laundrey Mat, I have an uncle that own one with a dry cleaning business and the stuff they use is commercial grade bought in bulk, need a 55 gal drum of stain remover? But thanks for your point of view, that is what I was asking, as well as others! Thanks guys!
I was talking in a matter-of-fact way, not literally. The point was, as you stated how you didnt get the results you had hoped for and questioned why they were tight lipped and wondered if all taxidermists were like this, I was saying, look no further then these forums.
Elk,how about a constructive response for a change?-checkout Breakthrough Magazine. Many world-class taxidermists/artists,(Bill Yox included) share thoughts and step-by-step techniques that cover a wide range of the taxidermy/wildlife art world.
I think thats a great idea about Breakthrough Magazine I just really need to be shown what I'm doing wrong at times, or an experienced way of doing things. Also don't get me wrong about Bill Yox, I respect his opinion as well as what I know of him, so I hope nobody took it as disrespect for him or anyone on this forum as well as the taxidermist I mentioned.(if Bill or anyone else took offense of my post, I'm sorry, it wasn't meant to be that way as was this forum wasn't). My inital post was wondering why the unwillingness to help a guy out to learn a trade(hobby to me), heck if they were willing to teach me, I'd even been willing to sign a non-compete contract with them if they were worried about that. And they would have gotten free reliable help, as much as they wanted.
Many people, myself included, learned by busting their ass
with books, videos, and practice,practice,practice. You expect
to go to a full-time taxidermist, who is most likely swamped
like we all are, and have him show you how to do taxidermy.
I have had my part-time busisness going for two years now
and the success is starting to get to my ego, but I might as
well take this time to thank all of you guys for helping me
through all the problems I have faced over the years and that
I could not have done it without you. And for Elk, the only
way to learn in this craft is by your OWN mistakes.
I have bought numerous books, and vidoes, and read this forum inside and out. Nothing makes me so special, but as you stated that you are sooo busy, other complain of the same effects, all I was asking for was to help out in turn for learning, just as with any job you get, you don't generally just get a job and know it all right off the get go, the ins and outs and you can't get all from a video or just reading from a book, experience sure pays off. Would you rather learn froma guy that has read every book out there or someone that has done the job for years. Some things just can't be wrote down, experience is the number one job security in any business. I am just wanting to know how to do this for my own hobby, some makes it sound as though, hey we busted our butts to learn, you should too. That sure makes a great arguement. But a lot of the ones saying this was taught by someone else. I'm not trying to get where you or anyone else is in their business, as I have stated over and over agin, I'm doing only as a hobby.
This is confusing me because I could respond to that
with my last post. What do you expect someone to do for you.
The only way to learn is by doing yourself. Like I said you
mount something, learn something, and then change it on your
next mount. After a hundred or so your in.
ELK- Want to know how i got started?cold cash up front!Most taxidermists have bills to pay too,the time they have to spend working with you,takes away from their weekly production.you our offering to trade free labor for knowlege which in your mind i am sure is a noble gesture,but as a beginner,the free labor you are offering would most likely only set the taxidermist farther behind,because he will then have to go back over any mistakes you made during your Donated time.Pay a taxidermist his weekly salary so he can spend all his time with you,and teach you right.A week to three weeks a competant taxidermist should be able to teach you the basics in several areas of taxidermy.Then practice alot!using refrence,vidios,ect,to start perfecting your skills.After you think youy are really getting good,a year or two of practice,show some of these taxidermist your qualifications and you might find that they will HIRE YOU along with teaching you even more.Taxidermy is a very large field if you want to become proficient in all phases of the art!IT will take time!Good Luck