I'm taking a taxidermy class at a local college and have done several duck with pretty good success. A friend of mine called me today and asked if I wanted/could do a shoulder mount for a wild boar. I have the adequate resources and help but is this too tall of an order for me to fill right now? There are several local taxidermists who help out in the class and I've seen two of them bring in boars for demonstration so help on it would'n be hard to get at all. I'm just wondering if this is a good idea or not. I have to start somewhere, but is this logical. Any replies would be greatly appreciated.
Reid
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you said it yourself, you got to start somewhere, and you have alot more help than alot of people have had on their first shoulder mounts of any kind.
the only problem you will run into is if your friend has expectations on his boar. If he expects it to get mounted you might be in trouble or at least putting undo stress on you and taking a little fun out of learning. Also if he expects a certain quality of work you are in for a headache that isn't worth it. Cause getting it mounted really isn't the issue, it is getting it to stay mounted or to look like a hog when you are through.
So good luck. And whatever you start ----finish it! No matter how crappy it is looking or going, sometimes you will surprise yourself, and there is nothing that can substitute gettting a mount done, even if it ain't gonna win a ribbon
especially if you have some people to help you through it. I personally think boars are easier to do than whitetails once all the prep work on the cape is done. A better person to ask though might be one of the instructors.
...Personally, I wouldn't do it if I were you. But that's just me. I worked on my own stuff for a couple of years honing my skills until I felt I was as good or better than any of the taxidermists in my area. I absolutely refeused to practice on customer's/friend's fish until I felt I was ready.
Unless your friend understands this is your first mount and has very little expectations. Even so, I wouldn't do it. Reason being is even if you think it came out great, 5 years from now you won't. In this business you don't want your first mount to be representative of the quality of your work.
Secondly, I know the local college by me runs taxidermy classes. The "profs" are jacks of all trades and masters of none. They are paid to teach all phases of taxidermy. And classes are relatively cheap and entry level. My 12 year old can mount a better fish (and has, I'm not kidding).
It's all up to you...
You may not have a good taxi class being taught near you but the one I am attending is a very good one. Some of the mounts that are done in class are as good as many of the so called taxidermist in my area.
Reid, first explain to your friend that it will be your first mount, but with all the help available, I'd go for it. Really! First, there were 2 mounted in my class, if you can send the cape out to a tannery. Pigs are hard to flesh good enough so as not to shrink, real fatty. Second, reference- reference - reference. Ducks are a lot different than mammals. But you have the basics, go for it. If I can give you any more advice, e-mail me.
Ricks video is the best and he makes it look easy. Get the video because you are going to do a hog or a dozen of them anyway someday, dive in and suprise you're self.
Don't set a precedent.
I have always found strangers are the best customers! I did a mulie for a good buddy at cost, and he and his brother bitched because it took too long to get it back! I have also had friends try and bring me absolute junk to work with and expect it for free even though another taxidermist would charge extra.
But, i would ask flat out how much this mount means to him and if he doesn't really care then go for it! How else are you going to learn?
I talked to my friend tonite and it sounds like it may be rather important to him. He said he measured the tusks and they were 4 inches long, hence why he wants it mounted. I have stated several times that I'm a complete rookie at this and I may have halted his efforts some what. I completely realize that I'm NOOOOOOO where near even an intermediate taxi. And to be even more honest, the thought of mounting it kind of makes me nervous. I had planned on doing one I shot first, the only problem is that I just need to get one! I told him I could do a euro mount with no problem if he wanted a trophy, but doing a full shoulder mount, I think, superceeds my ability at this point. I'm confident in myself but have only had 5 weeks of class and have only done a few birds as of now. Am I wrong or should I get some more practice before taking it on? Again, thanks to everyone for the advice.
You are not confident that you can do a good job on this important trophy, that is evident. You are being honest with yourself and that's great. Us telling you that you can do it won't teach you how to tuck a boar's eyes or how to do some fairly complicated mouth finishing work. You have answered your own question in both of your posts. You are starting out in a hole if you take it on...refer him to an established studio and continue your taxidermy studies.
You may or may not have good instructors at your local college. I don't know. It's all relative to your area and the level of the people critiquing their work. You say that some of the mounts in class are as good as the local "so called taxidermists". To me that doesn't say much for the overall quality of work in your area.
Also, I suspect that if you're taking classes then you are fairly new to the ballgame? If so, then you are probably not the best person to be stating whether or not they have a good program that produces quality taxidermists. Entry level taxidermists don't see the things (some) experienced taxidermists will see.
Reid - I think you're nuts to even consider taking on the work! But a lot depends on what you want to achieve out of this business. If your goal is to be the best in your area then you know what I think. If your goal is to make some extra cash and to be as good as the next guy, then go ahead and do it...
My whole objective in taking this course is to just fuel a growing interest in taxidermy. I'm not out to start my own business or to become a world champion, I just wanted to learn the basics and give it a go. I've done a few ducks for some friends and have been pleased with the results and so have my friends. My confidence is solely based upon what type of result I get. I'm pretty down to earth and can tell when a mount looks like scrap material. If I like what I see, than my confidence is boosted and I may consider doing other things. I don't think I'm nuts for considering the boar, not even in the slightest. Like myslef and many of the other posters have said above, I have to start somewhere. Why not go at it when I have the help? Just my two cents. Thanks again everyone who replied, it's appreciated.
Reid