for you full timers out there. How long did you work in taxidermy before you went full time.
Return to Beginners Category Menu
It took me that long to feel comfortable enough to sell my work to others.
Now as I look at some of the first deer I mounted I can see why it took that long.
I felt it was smarter to keep my day job.
I started when I was a Freshman in high school. In 1962, I took a course from JW Elwood. I was mounting ducks for classmates, the eyes cost 15 cents and I was wraping the bodys from air conditioner pads and using my Dads electric fence wire. I was charging $5.00 per duck and making good money. A deer sh. form was $7.00 and I was charging $47.00. I went almost full time in 1971. The first bird I mounted was hit my a semi truck, when I finished, it still looked like it was hit by a truck. Every time you mount something you get better.
Still part time.medical insurance 401k,to much to give up.it's still fun when you know you doen't have to do it.
I've been thinking about trying it lately and feeling a little scared. My currnet job has no benefits so I'm not really losing nothing there (except the MONEY). If business is good this fall I might go for it.
Thanks for the replys.
I'm still working two jobs, one at a factory and one at home in my taxidermy shop. Someone once told me if your in your shop 5 days a week your full-time. Its been this way for the last 10 years or so. My idea was to retire from the factory job then just run my shop like I always have. The way things are going around here lately with my job I may be forced to go full-time sooner than expected. I guess what I trying to say is your never really ready, its just kind of happens. I wish you luck! PS, Alot of other taxidermists say you really have to be disaplined and put in some long days to make a decent living in this business.
.