I want to get into taxidermy full time and give up my current profession when I am ready but I don't know where to start. Should I just buy the tools and start practicing or would it be more benifical to take classes? What are your suggestions? I need help figuring out how to get the ball rolling!
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I started to write some info for you but I got to what would be about a page of writing and didn't even scratch the surface.
1st- As far as getting the ball rolling you can do that right here. Check out the archives (search button), type in any subject and read away!
2nd- don't plan on giveing up your day job anytime soon! And for sure don't expect to get rich off taxidermy. Taxidermist's do a lot of work for the pay they're compensated.
If your serious about this here's a pretty safe rule to go with..."read and watch all you can" then try to retain some of that info and get some hands on. Once you have gotten some hands on training/practice go back and reread and rewatch all your matterial because there's not allways just one way to do things. Get the basics and keep practicing.
take some classes. If you cannot afford the whole deal, Take one class at a time.This will get your feet wet ,and if you dont like it you wont have much invested. I'm currently taking classes and love it. like they say you wont get rich overnight . hang in there and most of all be paciant .Good Luck
Your state organization and go to every show, competition, and seminar you can...you`ll meet some fine folks at your state shows who will answers some questions for you. I know alot of state shows have aauctions after the banquet---alot of time they auction off taxidermist...basically training...take 4 or 5oo with you to the show and win ya one of these auctions..that`s cheap learning for a two or three days class...you`ll get the basics then it`ll be up to you to put the effort into it. I started my taxi business without any training---learned it all right here at the site from these great folks. Use the orange search button and read everything ya can...good luck...
keep your job, get some videos, subscribe to magazines, go to your local show, and practice. after you learn how much work is actually involved, you may decide it isn't for you. I have a friend who wanted to give up his day job too but now realizes how hard it can be on his hands....he has carpal tunnel now.
Ethan, if you have a good job it's probably a good idea to hang on to it. You could take classes, or buy a couple good videos and start from there. When I started I bought two vidoes from Bill Atkins, one on "Mounting a Fox Squirrel" and one on "Mounting a Whitetail Deer". I just wanted to do my own mounts and maybe some for the family, but it has turned into a part time business. I did around twenty deer last year, along with a bunch of squirrels, a few antler mounts, and some novelty mounts. Even though I enjoy this art, I don't think I would want to do it full time. My full time job pretty much let's me set my own hours so I can take time off to hunt anytime I want, and I wouldn't trade taht for anything. Good luck in whatever you decide!