Submitted by R. P. on 8/30/99. ( ) 147.64.72.111
I would appreciate any advice on getting started in this field. I've read a few books, but I'm not sure where to get any specimens to begin practicing. Please help
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This response submitted by Chris Brower on 8/30/99. ( cjbrower@netzero.net ) 4.16.45.127
Sorta depends on what you want to do.... Does your state allow picking up roadkill? Do you have any friends who hunt or fish? You can always buy fish at a seafood market. Practice skinning if nothing else. Look into buying capes/hides/antlers, etc. from people on the forum, or go to the home page and look up suppliers and contact them.
Chris
This response submitted by Turtle on 9/1/99. ( mooretr@in-arng.ngb.army.mil ) 55.71.180.66
I too am a beginner. The best advice I can give you, is go back thru the forum archives and read, read, read. Then be patient and do not think that everything is going to roll into place overnight, cause it aint gonna happen. A few months back, I was full of energy trying to get enough info and practice to mount my own turkey and to mount as many customer turkeys as I could. I was impatient though, and did my first turkey mount using my bird and it turned out okay. But, I had a lot of problems. Took all day just to get it mounted. That did not include any feather adjustment time. Now, as I look back, I wish I had waited until I had more training, more and better reference materials, and had at least gone to another (experienced) taxidermist and watch him mount a couple turkeys before attempting one myself. I'm not trying to discourage you, I just don't want you to make the mistakes I did. Just go slow and be very patient. It can be expensive getting started. Buying materials, mannikins, practice hides, etc. If you have questions, feel free to email me. Good luck. Turtle
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