Amy Ritchie, a well-known teen taxidermist from North Carolina, (I'm sure most of you know who she is) contacted me through email to ask me if she could send me some free supplies to help me start out. I gladly accepted! I recently got my tools in along with a few extra practice specimens. They are a baby Dutch rabbit, a gray squirrel and a nice possum. I already have a whole bunch of animals to practice with (I've already mounted a deer and some deer feet so far) and I can't wait to see how they turn out. Taxidermy takes time though, so I will just take it slow; one step, at one project, at a time. Hopefully I will acquire enough experience to get my license and become a part time taxidermist within the next few years, which is what I would really like to get into as a sidejob.
I'm really enjoying my new hobbie! This site has been very useful to me and I would like to thank a lot of the experienced taxidermists on here that have offered help.
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Doe, a couple of years ago I starting mounting deer & squirrels for myself (my family to) and this past archery season I started taking a few customer mounts. I guess there turning out good because all the new customer's were sent by the other customers. I really try to make a deer look lifelike (squirrel's to) and I think that's what keeps them coming back. I've taken 14 since october and just finished the last one. It started as just a hobby but now it's a part time business. I also really admire full time taxidermist because as much as I enjoy this I don't know if I would want to do the same thing every day. Good Luck!
Doe is a great name for taxidermist.
For me, it's not just Doe, it's Doh!, Like Homer Simpson says.
Just stay at it, you will be fine! Join your state assoc. to meat people localy. This really helped me to get the ball rolling! This is my second year and I have 62 deer and other critters to mount! Clients see those ribbons, they tell there buddys, next thing ya know, the phone is ringing! Stay focused, keep a positive attitude, and read everything you can on this site! There is no telling where you might go starting out as young as you are!
Good Luck!
Tony J.
You just keep moving forward untill you win the world ! Bradlee
Keep at it! Marc R
I have just started this and I already hooked too. I bought a few things to start. I still need some more and fortunately I have the help of a World Class Taxidermist who lives very close to me to offer some advise if I need it. I hate to bother him though as he is very busy. I am confused about how to thin the hide though. He wants me to send the hide out but I really want to learn to do it myself first. I am actually thinking about doing an open mouth right off. I would love to see your work and any tips anyone wants to throw my way will be greatly apreciated. Good Luck Doe, Maybe I'll see you in Altoona. I am hoping to go but may have to work