Has anyone here taken the Pa taxidermy test? My husband will be taking the test at the end of April, he will be finishing a 3 month school in early April, we have heard that the test is very hard to pass here in Pa., and wondering if anyone has any opinions on this? Do most people take the test right out of school or does anyone recommend waiting a bit and perfecting your work before going to the test, the next test won't be until September..
Thanks for any help or info
Tiffany
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The test is as hard as you want it to be. It's a shame you missed our PTA state convention this weekend. At this show we have judges on hand for new and those trying to learn on how to pass this simple test.
Now many do take the test as soon as they get out of school. I was fortunate enough to pass it the first time as I know many may not pass the whole test. If a person fails it's not because they want competition work but they are looking for good clean work. If he should fail don't take it at heart but look at what they said was wrong and then wait a week or two and then read it again, you just might agree with them. Also if you look above and click on Associations you will find a web site for the PTA, we have a free Q/A area for all folks. You can ask there and even get a answer or two from one of the judges if your stuck on someting or feel free to e-mail me. We're here to help you out.
The test is not relatively hard. You just need to make sure that all monts are clean and dust free around the eyes and and the ears. They will make him do some sculpting from reference photos so if he has a hard time with things like that he should practice. There is also a written part to the test which has some questions that are not common knowledge so he should study the laws on taxidermy and on endangered species in Pa. But other than that be prepaired to wait in the parking lot for awhile. Just make sure the mounts have no flaws even the smallest one they will pick out. some of the judges are partial and a little more forgiving than the others.
I just struck the mother lode...kin sell a whole lotta PAIR-A-GRAPHS here.
at the tender age of 17. But that was many moons ago..
Little hint: Don't tell if you use bondo ears or if you leave the cartilage in them..For some reason they don't like that.
First of all, cyclone, bondo ears are acceptable techniques in taxidermy and so are fine for the exam. But you have to do them CORRECTLY! An earliner in an ear with hair patterns out of place and drummed all over is not going to be as good as a well done bondo ear. Know your facts before you confuse others with your own confusion. If you had trouble with your bondo ears at the exam and didn't pass because of them (unlikely) it was because they were done INCORRECTLY!
As far as judges being biased and nit picking--that statement couldn't be further from the truth! Some of the examiners are more detailed in their critiques and more specific with their advice but I assure you--WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO PASS OR FAIL CRITERIA! Just because an examiner writes a lot and gives you lots of advice does not mean that his criteria for passing is tougher to meet than an examiner that writes very little or doesn't say much.
Tiffany, Frank had the best advice here. Go to pataxidermy.com and feel free to ask anything in the Q and A Forum. The PTA holds an Exam Board Seminar every year at the State Championships (just missed it) where you can meet the examiners and they will address any concerns you may have. Feel free to email me personally if you wish.
In closing let me say that twice a year we seem to get postings on here from people unhappy with the Exam, the examiners or the principles behind it. What follows is lots of "advice" and "warnings" from people who claim to know what goes on at the exam. While most of these people mean well they are usually very misinformed (or opinionated) and cause lots of confusion and apprehension. The exam is simple, basic taxidermy. The examiners are there to help you improve your work. They will give you tips and advice on how to improve your work and even run your business. Taking the exam right out of school should be nothing to worry about.
Paul Czarnecki
PA Game Commission Taxidermy Exam Board
Thanks everyone for the great advice, appreciate it..
Raised some hackles did I?
Back when I took the test Paul, bondo ears hadn't even been thought of yet. Gee, lets see, bondo ears usually have the cartilage left in them, back when I tested this was grounds for failure. I have the letter to prove it...somewhere...
Did anyone say they were unhappy?
By the way what's the youngest age to have ever passed the test?
The MINIMUM age to be elligible to take the exam is 18! That's right--18! Its state law. I'm not sure who you are, cyclone, but you must have taken the exam back in the dark ages of taxidermy. Back then the "examiners" were Game Commission officials and museum taxidermists. Hard to believe a museum taxidermist would dismiss bondo ears seeing as how most museum mammal taxidermy involves bondo ears. I'm not disputing what you were "told" I'm just clarifying how things are today. Taking the exam 40 years ago does not qualify one to give advice on the taxidermy exam given today. Today's taxidermy exam is given by CURRENT State and National Champions who conduct the exam in a TEACHING format. No mention is made of pass or fail. Good points are stressed as well as points to be improved upon. If a person fails the exam they still leave there with two great critiques of their work and a wealth of knowledge on how to improve it. If a person passes the exam they get the same critiques and advice.
Cyclone, if you haven't attended a PTA convention recently you really should. Sit in on the Exam Board Seminar and see how far the Exam has come since you took the test. You didn't "raise" any hackles you simply invited a response to correct your incorrect and misleading statements. No offense taken, I assure you!
It was back in the dark ages of taxidermy. Back then the "examiners" were Game Commission officials. I didn't know of any museum taxidermists on the board.
Didn't bash bondo ears either, I simply stated that they didn't like cartilage left in the ears then.
Yes, I passed the test when I was 17. They gave me a waiver to take it when I was 16 and I failed it that year...
I was a PA state champ back in the early 80's. I competed in the Nationals until I got an "Award of Excellence". I moved on to finish my college education.
I got to question the bondo method on Museum taxidermy mammals Paul, who told you that?
More than likely there was a Museum Taxidermist on the Board when Cyclone took the test. I think a taxidermist from the Carnegie Museum served on the board continuosly from at least the early 20's until the early 1980's when the last to serve on the board died in a car wreck on the way to hunting turkeys in Elk County. (at least three different museum taxidermists served). Bondo wasn't really popular in taxidermy until the mid 1980's, and was probably frowned on by the Museum representative at the time.
I passed my test in 1976. I was fresh out of high school then and turned 18 in mid July.
I might just take you up on that invite to the convention Paul. I'd like to look up some old buddies....Of Course, I was little more than a kid back then...
YOu should come to the conventions again Bill, you'd be surprised at how many of the "old crew" are still around. Rod, Tony, Ty, Ron and Bill to name just a few. I, for one, would enjoy seeing you again and chatting with ya. Its always sad when one of the pillars of the industry disappears. Same weekend next year at the Blair Co. Convention Center.
Rod C.? Has a son, Aaron, big feller? From the Pittsburg area? I've lost touch with them and would love to talk with them again...Last I saw them was in 89.
Bill?
He quit taxidermy for a while but was called back. Last I heard he is having a good time. Here is a link where he is working.
http://www.leadingedgetaxidermy.com/aboutus.ivnu
Heck you aren't really an old guy if you passed the test at age 17 in 1976. You should come to the convention (though I couldn't attend this year)
I knew if I hung around here long enough I'd find somebody from back in the "Day".
Thanks..
I have a lot of mixed emotions about the Pa test. I have herd many things about it. I do not know all the particulars on the Pa. test, and It is difficult to attain a great deal of information about it. As even on the Game commission web site there is little information. So I may be misinformed. Someone enlighten me.
A lot of people have told me it is bordering on the unreasonable. Some have said they were failed for the material Manufacture they chose. One fellow told me they failed him because he used [a supply company] products. Another because he used Van Dyke's eyes. ( they were not of suitable quality for the test). I have seen work presented by taxidermist that have passed. And found flaws in the mounts, Granted not major flaws, And considering that they were relative beginners. I would have passed them. On the other hand I have seen work, that failed. that was better in my humble opinion.
Many have told me that if one did not attend one of the Pa. taxidermy schools then there is no way they will pass on the first attempt.
All the discussion of this test has caused me to wonder about it. Several things trouble me. Why does Pa. even bother? Lets face it. Of what concern is the quality of taxidermy to the Commonwealth? When any back yard mechanic can pick up a pick and dinging hammer, and go to work in an auto body shop in Pa. No training, no test, no license. If this person makes a major mistake in repairing the suspension of an automobile, someone could die. But just who is harmed by poor taxidermy work. Pa does not test the Qualifications of artiest who sell Paintings, and sculptures to be sure that the subject matter is anatomically correct! Do they? They do not test to see if the medium used meets a particular standard? They do not test The workers of furniture mills to ensure they produce quality products. Why taxidermy? Who initiated the testing? When? Why?
At the risk of ruffling some feathers. I would suspect that the entire program was started by taxidermist. Not because they were concerned for the consumer. rather because they were concerned for their livelihood. It gave them a measure of control over how much competition they had to contend with. The Taxidermy schools that sprang up over the years have helped keep the testing in place. And those that have already passed the test, are in favor of it. Because they now benefit through the price fixing it perpetuates. no one can undercut the prices of the established taxidermist in an attempt to capture the budget minded consumer and create their own cliental base. When they have to pay $25000.00 to go to school. or spend years as an apprentice.
By failing potential competition, you ensure that a percentage will give up. Simply feeling they do not have the artistic ability.
Yes, artistic. That is a big part of taxidermy. And some of that ability is artistic impression. although every look upon a deer may not be absolutely natural, some find differentiation from the natural very attractive, and desirable.
I have a friend In Utah that sculpts deep muscle enhancements into the form before he mounts the hide of a deer, elk, or bear. More than is natural. Even his small necked deer look like body builders. would such a mount pass the Pa. test?
I don't know. But I will tell you this. His customers love his work. he draws clients from over one hundred miles. Are his mounts anatomically correct? certainly not. Do they look good? No! They look great!
Should Man be judged by the standards of others? or by the people they serve.
Interesting questions "D" but they have all been asked and addressed before. Click the little orange icon to the left and you'll see.
This is exactly what I was talking about in my original post. Lots of heresay and bickering with little to NO truth. You say you can't find any info about the test? Did you try the PTA website forum? Did you try attending the PTA convention and the Exam Board Seminar? Did you try calling the Game Commission and asking your questions?
As far as any of your other "concerns" I would be happy to address them personally instead of on here because the Archives are full of the same questions and answers already. Drop me an email or give me a call.
Paul Czarnecki
PA Game Commission Taxidermy Exam Board
PTA Board of Directors
814-796-6320
I agree with D. I cannot believe you need a license to be a taxidermist in PA and dont need one to do deer processing, to me deer processing is far more a risk to the public than is mounting a game animal. I believe taxidermy is an art, and should be judged only by the hunting public and not by other taxidermist. As far as a test by the state, its totally unfair!