Okay, am wanting to get started in taxidermy and you guys (and gals) have answered some questions for me. However, let me run my idea(s) by you and you tell me if I should pursue this or not...
I've always wanted to turn my love of the outdoors into a side business. I have a good job and work 40+ hours a week and I'm not looking to do this full time. I also don't expect to ever get rich nor do I plan on doing it for the money. As long as I can make my costs and enjoy the work, I'll be happy. With that being said, I don't have any want (at this time, but maybe later) to mount anything besides whitetails. Being in Indiana, I think I could keep busy without going crazy by specializing in just deer mounts.
My wife and I will be building a house and pole building (with a shop if I decide to go forth) within the next year. In that time, I plan on watching some videos, practicing on a deer or two and most likely attend a deer head class at one of the schools. I want to be turning out quality mounts before actually "opening" a business.
So is setting up a small shop/studio and doing just deer mounts suitable for someone that is only looking to do this as part time?
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Sure it is doable. Being that you are not looking to do it fulltime there is no reason you can't just stick to whitetails - they are the bread and butter of the industry anyhow. Don't be affraid to charge a fair price for what you are doing - be careful you may get more business than you really want.
Thanks, JEM. That's what I was wanting to know. Does my plan of attack (i.e. watch some videos, practice on a deer or two, attend a deer head class at one of the schools, etc.) sound like a good way to learn? Any more ideas or input?
Anyone out there able to give me a list of the minimum tools I'll need to mount a deer head, or is that something I'll learn by watching the video and reading books? Man, I just don't know where to start! LOL!
Breakfast Boy
A couple of years ago I started the same way. I still have a 40+ hour per week job and still do taxidermy part-time. I learned by reading books (Breakthrough manuals), watching video's, reading every post in these archives and just by trying stuff. I started with deer and have now done fox, coyote, European mounts and am just starting two antelope. Your plan can work if you take your time learning and perfecting your work. I think some people have an eye for doing quality taxidermy.
You can find a list of required supplies for starting out by using the orange 'SEARCH' button on the left side of the screen. I've read it there several times before.
Best of luck.
Steve
but one thing to remember. I know you are not worried about making money of the taxidermy, but consider the taxidermists in your area who depend on this as their lifelyhood and don't go and undercut them. Charge the going rate for your area, and this way you can't be acused of taking work away from a full timer with lowballing everyone. Know what I mean?
I see you've used some forethought and made a few plans. Is one of them that you'll give up hunting and fishing? That's a prerequisite that most of us don't talk about. It took me 35 years before I decided that I WILL go hunting and I WILL go fishing when I decide to and I can walk out of the shop without a guilt trip. Working a 40 hour work week does't leave a lot of time for other things and sleep. When deer season rolls around, you're going to be in the shop 16 to 20 hours some days even if you ARE a parttimer. Unfortunately, the only days you have available to commit to that are your Saturday and Sunday weekends.
We all do it or did it and we wouldn't change anything about having been there and done that. However, since you're planning, you should consider the whole meal and not just the desserts.
It might be nice to not undercut the local taxidermists making a living, but think of it realistically. A new taxidermist who doesn't have any clientelle at all enters a fairly filled up niche of business. He prints brochures, does the yellow page routine, joins shooting clubs etc. and charges exactly what every other taxidermist in the area charges. How much business do YOU think he would get?
An established taxidermist really doesn't like the price shoppers anyways, so if he enters the field he undercauts the prices locally so that he gets at least a few deer in. After a year he analyzes the situation and either ups the price or quits the business. You surely have seen this on a regular basis. In truth, he has not hurt the established businesses as they don't want clintelle that want a deer head for $150.00, and they most likely would not pay $450.00 anyway. The practice hurts the reputation of taxidermy in general but doesn't harm the established taxidermist.
Businesses in America always undercut reputable people. In the 1960's businesses started moving labor jobs to Japan because the workers there didn't demand high wages like the unions in the US. People in Japan caught up to the US in quality of life and decided they wanted higher wages, so the companies moved the jobs to Korea, then to China, then it will be Thialand or Vietnam.
Steelworkers and Vehicle Parts Manufacturers in America still have some good wages, but there is only 20% as many as 1970. Wages can not keep pace because we must compete with wages one tenth as great as America. Until the whole world has the same wage, there will always be shifts in where things are made.
Breakfast Boy has a great advantage - he has health care paid by his "real job". He also won't likely maintain a showroom, fancy workshop or other acoutrements. Because of this he can charge $250.00 for a deerhead when a local full time taxidermist charges $350.00, and when all is said and done, he can have the exact same profit. The truth hurts.
Maybe I don't understand that way of thinking. What clientelle? Most hunters only mount, on average, 2 -3 deer. EVER! I am a part timer, so I take every thing I mount to my friends at the local gun store. Just to show(while they are busy!). It has led to doing some African game, some other deer, etc. The most important thing for me was not to price things too cheaply! I have a family, who I like to spend time with, and time to enjoy hunting. Breakfast Boy - 1st do quality work - 2nd charge for it. Maybe for a friend or two charge less to get the experience, but explain to them that. Fortunately, my friends haven't asked for discounts but from what I've read friends will break ya. I only take in 2 deer at a time and I have a waiting list. That way I can control how busy I am. Sounds insane to some taxidermist but I don't want alot of work. I want to do quality. There's nothing like taking a cape and turning it into a "deer walking through the wall". Learn all you can by yourself - then take a class. Probably the most important thing is get your license as soon as you think your going to do it. Don't wait. A fine when you're just starting out would really bum you out! One thing that really helped me out, and I can't stress this enough to a beginner, JOIN YOUR LOCAL TAXIDERMY ASSOCIATION. The conventions are worth 100x what you pay and the friends that you meet will pay 10000000x the costs. No I am not a board member or anything. I just joined a few months ago. Best money, short of learning and tools, I ever spent on taxidermy. If you have any questions, please e-mail me.
WOW that was very well put!)
B-Boy..stick to just doing your own stuff! I know that you dont want to hear that, but I think that in time, you'll come to understand why I'm saying this.
I work 60 to 70 hours a week year round. I love it, but do not have time to do anything else.I take off and go hunting 9 or 10 times a year thats nothing compared to before becomeing a taxidermist.I hope it's not 35 years before I slow down.
Thanks everyone. That gives me a lot to think about, some of which I've already contemplated.
I know I don't want to upset the local guys, although there isn't too many taxidermists in my immediate area. I would never intentionally try to under cut them or steal their business. Matter of fact, if I get too busy I would rather refer the customer to them! Especially if it's anything critter besides a whitetail. LOL! I'm very active in my state's bowhunting organization and also an official Pope & Young measurer. I believe I would have just enough business from fellow members and/or friends to keep me busy, without going insane (famous last words).
And George, thanks for the input on lack of hunting time! LOL! Fortunately, I work second shift and would be doing this while the kids are at school and my wife is at work during the day.
Thanks again to everyone for their help. I know you guys and gals must get sick of hearing the same questions from us rookies over and over again, but we really appreciate it! : )