hey whats up everyone im 16 years old and was thinking about trying taxidermy it looks really hard but i would still like to try and mount all of my ducks ,deer and turkeys and fish any advise would be really apreshated thanks alot -chandler
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Chandler;
First off, you should get everything you can get your hands on and read about it. Buy some video's and watch them. I would also find out about your state taxidermy association and join them. Go to some of the shows an attend some of the seminars they have. Practice on skinning birds, fish, animmals. Then practice on turning the ears, splitting the lips and eyes. Take up an art class in school, and study composition, painting ect.
Also hit the orange button that says search, and read the archives, almost everything you want and need to know is in there. Just type in what you want to know and it's probably been answered.
If your really that interested in it, purchase some of the beginner courses that the suppliers have, and study those. You can also go to one of the many taxidermy schools and learn first hand, and hands on. which is the best way to learn. I hope this helps, and good luck!
Coyote
Get Breakthrough mag.,get video tapes from one of the supliers,and read the archives of this forum.This is the best site on the web to learn taxidermy.The best of luck to you.
Make sure you start with the birds because if everything else fails you can fall back on birds?You can mount birds anywhere and get away with it.
Deer are by far and away the 'bread and butter' jobs in this area. (Southern Missouri). Do a lot of fish, also.
Remember you have to have a federal permit to mount migratory birds (wild ducks, geese, even CROWS!) for other people.
Good luck!
Find out who about your state association. There are a lot of good people to meet there that will advise you along your path with taxidermy. In addition there conventions are excellent learning opportunities.
Be sure that you find out if there are any regulation on everthing you mount. I found out the hard way. I mounted 4 bobcats and didn't know that I had to have tags on them. Thank God that we have a very understanding game warden.