I have been reading previous forums, ordering and reading taxidermy text and am going to be ordering videos for closer observation and evaluation of technique. My primary question is: are there suppliers of capes/pelts that the novice/beginner may purchase, which are suitable for mounting? Scouring the forum I have read about pelt suppliers, but yalls opinion on quality to price relation, and your thoughts on practice material to get started would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance!
Mac
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Hi,
I practice on roadkill if you are able to (check state laws) it is a cheap way to get your feet wet.For me it is the cheapest way to learn skinning/fleshing and tanning without having to worry about messing up something I had to pay for. And I have mounted several nice pieces so far. My husband has been doing taxidermy for about 10 yrs.. So this year I wanted to learn (kids are all grown now)so I have had a great bit of help but I have messed things up. You just have to be picky,I drive the same way to work everyday so I am able to make sure things are fresh. It may be silly but I carry trashbags and rubber gloves in my mini-van, I know people think I am nuts when they see my looking at animas on the road.haha
I hope this helps you out.
Kim
Thank you, that was an idea that had not occurred to me. I like you drive the same way to work every day, and living very rural, this opens up opportunities as long as our local clean up crews (turkey vultures) don't beat me too them!
I recently recived my first video and all it was - was a taping of a seminar that was held at the World Championships. I won't mention the name. There was no "table of contents" to let me know WHERE there was a certain portion of the video that I was really interested in (amongst the THREE HOURS of tape). And it was SO flipping BORING that I gave up after 30 minutes. The picture and sound quality was that of any home video camera. Close-ups were poor if existent at all.
What would it have taken for the owner of the tape to include a table of contents? (He probably couldn't stand more than thirty minutes of it either!)
All-in-all, I didn't learn anything that I didn't already know (from books, classes and hands-on experience), at least in that first 30 minutes - lol!
I would DEFINITELY post here in the future about any specific tape that I might be I'm interested in. And I'd ask about the quality before I EVER ordered another one. Personally, I prefer books as they are well organized and easier to tote around in the shop vs. a t.v and vcr...
You bring up a good issue. You pay for what you get but you don't always get what you pay for. If you would be willing to elaborate please e-mail me, if not I understand. I try and be thorough in my research and info like you have provided means alot. It's a shame you have to be so skeptical of things anymore! If I do locate a decent video, I'll definately let yall know. Many thanx!
Mac
only tools and should be used as such , they will not make you better , only practice and repetition will do this . I strongly suggest to you to start saving reference material every chance you get. Alot of folks think they know the animals so good that they dont need these while mounting but I tell ya , I have trapped for 25 yrs and thought I knew them too but until you go to put them together and want to bring them to life , do you really see just how much you know. Best of luck and have fun. P.S. I but ( almost )EVER book & video I can get as there is always something to learn ,if you only get on good tip from each , it's worth it .
only tools and should be used as such , they will not make you better , only practice and repetition will do this . I strongly suggest to you to start saving reference material every chance you get. Alot of folks think they know the animals so good that they dont need these while mounting but I tell ya , I have trapped for 25 yrs and thought I knew them too but until you go to put them together and want to bring them to life , do you really see just how much you know. Best of luck and have fun. P.S. I buy ( almost )EVER book & video I can get as there is always something to learn ,if you only get on good tip from each , it's worth it .
Is narrowing down your video choices and then posting here to ask others' opinions on their value and quality.
I simply like to see how others are doing things and I am open to trying new and different techniques, hence the reason I bought the video.
Perhaps I have Adult ADHD? (I know, I'm stretching things by calling myself an ADULT - LOL!) All in know is it reminded me of an Economics 101 course I took in college. All the info was there, but it was SO dull that I couldn't focus on what the Prof was saying. Sorta like Homer Simpson in a meeting I guess. All I could think about was "chocolate"...
The Breakthrough manuals are excellent! Definitely worth the investment. Also, Breakthrough Magazine and Taxidermy Today are well worth subscribing to. Lots of 'how-to' articles in them.
you are very correct. I feel fortunate that I can understand the fact that reference material is only that, reference and I am humble enough to admit it. The individuals talent is truely revealed over time and practice, practice and practice some more. You get out of it what you put into it. Miss Marty, I shall do just that.(Don't think your the only "Kid" out here! I could'nt contain my inner child no matter what!) I will fly another e-kite when I reach that point. Forgive me but I am still learning the abbreviations, most I can pick out but the "H" threw me. I never liked being the "Newbie! but such is life!" LOL Miss Vicki, My first purchase was Sallie's manual on Deer mounts and a Breakthrough manual on squirrels is coming soon. I have been looking very closely at the literature and videos offered in WASCO's catalog and will be checking elsewhere as well. The approach I am taking, is of learning the background information, jargon, equipment and general mechanics and then applying what I've seen and learned. My actual application of "learned methods" is on hold as I build my shop, so I have time to read, read & read some more. This forum has just blown me away in regard to the response I have seen. There is no other way to be than straight forward and on the level and yall's responses are just that and I appreciate it. My thanks again for the advice and information. You don't ask, you don't know!
Mac, Kim is right,same for everyone else. Videos give you a good start, before you start. Get all the specimens you can, and frequent this site often, there is alot of proffesional information on this site that will help you. Jump in and get your feet wet. IF you don't have someone to teach you, learn by doing, and check out Breakthrough Magazine and TaxidermyReference.com. Take it slow and have fun with it. Troy