Currently I work for the for the govt about 52,000 a year but that is not what I want to do. Is there enough money in taxidermy to actually make a decent living. For the state I am in Arizona I think there could be a good market. I'm also 27 is it too late to start. Please let me know what you think any help would be appreciated. Thank You.
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It's NEVER too late! As for the income, if you treat it as any business, do the research for your area(question your local Wildlife Officers, for instance), and are prepared to work hard (provide a quality mount, & advertise-advertise-advertise!)to establish your business-you'll do well. I don't know if you're married or not-but if you have a spouse that's cooperative/helpful in your shop(whether it's helping do the prep on the forms, actually mounting, or working up the habitats-or doing the maids clean-up) treat 'em like they're worth their weight in GOLD because THEY ARE!(And as scarce as Diamonds too).
I would advise that you keep that Gov. job for a while though, until you find out if you want to go "full-time".Hang in their and go for it.-Susan
You need to use those archives under the SEARCH icon there to the left. It answers our OPINIONS on schools and making a respectable living doing taxidermy. I can tell you right now, however, with a 50g salary, you can forget about hunting, fishing or spare time. Just starting out, it will take you 10 years to build up that kind of clientele and even then, it's pushing it. You have a job, medical, retirement and you're just 27. Do this part time and then when you RETIRE from your day job, you can do this for fun. Many people on the "outside" think this is a pie-in-the-sky job, but it's just NOT. There is no easy money and taking shortcuts loses customers rather than makes you money. It is labor intensive and talent oriented. Neither of those is taught in any school.
Dusty, I would agree with Susan that in any case you should keep your current job. Taxidermy is something you can ease into part-time. 27 certainly isn't too old to start, but it takes time to learn. I would give yourself about a 5 year window to learn the trade and start building some business. As far as income, my opinion is that one person working alone could net about $50,000 IF you have the discipline to work hard and the volume is there to support it. That's $50k and no benefits. Makes the government job look pretty good. Ahhh, what price is hapiness worth?
Hey Dusty, I also have a goverment Job and have been doing Taxidermy for 17 years. George is right on, it takes time to get the business going. I figure when I retire, I'll get my retirement with benifits, and the taxidermy shop will be welcomed income. No preasure to do work 7/24. Remember, the grass is always greener ! Stick with a sure thing !
as always :) (Thanks again George for the tip about removing paint with the lacquer thinner on my bird - worked great!)
Anyway...Keep the day job Dusty, maybe try it part time first for a while before quitting your job, it will take many years to build up a business to make the kind of $$ you are now..
Good luck
TJ