Hello everyone: I have been visiting this forum quite regularly> i am really interested in taxidermy and tanning. But i have a few questions: I hear all the differant terms for how something is skinned (dorsal,Caped etc.) And i was wondering what do they all mean? Also...What is the cheapest,fastest,and easiest way to tan a hide? Thanks for helpin a youngster (16).
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in the archives on this site. There is also a search button that will pinpoint your efforts to specific topics. The public library is a good source for any beginner to get his or her feet wet.
I also am a novice to the taxidermy trade. I am 15 years old. 9 months ago I moved in with a family that owns a Taxidermy business. Although I have always been welcome in the shop to watch. The Taxidermist were too Busy to teach me anything. My foster father Told me that If I showed him I was truly interested In Taxidermy, and demonstrated I was willing to put forth the majority Of the work Involved in learning. Only then would he pass on his wisdom. for 5 months I came to this site, 5 to 8 hours a day I read the archives. Often times answers would lead to more questions. but I continued until I knew all I could know from here. Combined with being able to see what is being done in the shop. I realized when The guys and gals were talking Taxidermy, Be it theory, or practical application. I understood what they were talking about. and was able to formulate My own opinion. Only after That did I delve into trying my hand at it. By reading, and seeing what was being done. I was able to do My first mount with very little help. within a month I had mounted 5 animals. A squirrel. (which I thought was the most difficult) a Large mount bass (I really like painting them) a Whitetail shoulder mount. A full Body Coyote, and a pedestal Bobcat. My foster Mother took them to a convention, And the bobcat, deer, and coyote placed In the Novice division.
Yes, Maybe I am bragging a bit. But what I am telling you Is this. If you read the Archives. Research your quandaries and put forth a true effort. You can gain a great deal of knowledge. Sometimes the archives seem to run here and there before the actual answer is found. But the exploring is a part of it. I have never asked a question here. I have found all I need by myself. And I have passed on what I found. If I can do It you can too. Good luck, And have fun. Taxidermy is a great hobby.
These 3 words don't go together in taxidermy. The easiest way to tan a hide is to send it to a tannery. It's not the cheapest or the fastest. The cheapest way is to do it yourself with any of the available chemicals... Again, this is not the easiest, but definitely the cheapest.
My point is this: if you want to learn taxidermy, it will cost you time, money, and effort. I have invested THOUSANDS of dollars and countless hours in learning taxidermy...and I didn't even go to taxidermy school. I don't see how you could do it any cheaper, faster, or easier...other than having someone foot the bill for you. If you are lucky, you might find a local taxidermist that will give you some specimens and spend some time showing you some things.
I would recommend you use your birthday and Christmas money to buy some videos and books. Read in the archives and do searches on the web (tip: www.hidetanning.net has some great articles). Learn all you can and in the meantime, save some money to buy some tools, specimens, and supplies. I wanted to learn taxidermy when I was about your age, but there was NO taxidermy.net and books and videos were hard to come by. I didn't give up and I finally started learning when I was about 24 years old. Like I said, learn all you can, work hard, and don't give up. Good Luck.
Get caught smoking behind the barn by yer ole man...That'll get yer 'hide tanned fast' :-)
- ETCC