Submitted by RobC on 6/9/99. ( rmcurcio1@aol.com )
I'm a biginner. (greener than green) I will be purchasing some instructional tapes from WASCO. I can't wait to get my feet wet so to speak. Besides the tapes and books, can anyone tell me what type of equipement and what matterials I should purchase. How much should I expect to spend? I will be doing this as a hobby until I get good enough to do it commercially. (probably many years from now) Any information or advice will be of great help and appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
RobC.
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This response submitted by Bob @ Jonas on 6/9/99. ( jonastaxidermy@worldnet.att.net )
Jump right in feet first, it is fun, so keep it that way. My only other suggestion is to order up a catalog from all the major suppliers, so you have everything at your fingertips, contact us at Jonas Supply Co. and I must be P.C. to my many other freinds in the industry so contact, Van Dykes, Trufitt, Reasearch, McKenzie, supply Mike Noonkester Supply, Jim Allred, Precision Mannikins,WASCO, and probably a slew of others. also you can call on any of us to help with technical questions.
see ya
Bob
This response submitted by frank on 6/10/99. ( basswtrout@aol.com )
First of all what are you going to try to do? Next are you doing this as a hobby or a small or running a business? To jump right in and just buy it all is folish. Many of things you need you already have at home. Knife, pliers, spoon. butter knife, etc,etc etc. Watch your vedio first. Then buy what you need. You may be buying things that you may not need. Do you what to buy a fleshing machine for a thousand dollars to do one or to hides? It can get costly so be careful. Buy small at first and then add on if the need is there for any of those expensive items. Just becareful on what you buy. Ask us for help on things you are going to buy and if you really need them or not. Just tell us what your doing and what your going to buy, because you don't need it all to start off with.
This response submitted by Turtle on 6/10/99. ( )
Hi Rob. I'm a beginner too. Listen to these guys. I have been since December and they have not steered me wrong yet. You will get several diferent opinions sometimes, so you have to decide which advice to use. In some cases, you can use some of, all the advice. Go with whatever your budget will allow, and do not get caught up in a buying frenzy. My advice would be to watch several videos on the same subject. Say for instance you just want to mount deer to start out with. Get 3-4 videos and a few books and magazines (sources are all here on this site) Watch, read, and learn. Make a list of tools from each video or book, then compare the lists. Study the list and then start gathering up your tools a few at a time. And as Frank said, you can find a lot of them in your kitchen and garage. Another good place to find decent tools is at flea markets and yard sales. Some specialty tools are going to have to be purchased from suppliers or from the wanting to sell section of the forum from other taxidermists.
Oh, and ask questions. The books and videos will sometimes be confusing or won't explain a certain procedure very clearly. That's when you get on here and ask your questions. Don't be afraid to ask. Most of us are more than willing to lend a hand (usually to anyone that will listen).
It's okay to jump in head first, but bear in mind, that you could be dissappointed by some of your first specimens. But, don't get discouraged. You will know what not to do next time, and also what to do. Good luck and keep us informed how you are doing. Turtle
This response submitted by ROBC. on 6/10/99. ( rmcurcio1@aol.com )
Hey Folks,
Thanks a bunch for all the info. I will be getting a couple of videos and books first. After looking at those, I'm sure I'll have some more questions.
Frank, in answer to your questions, I will be doing this as a hobby for myself and familly. I may do a mount eventually for a friend or two. Once I get going and feel comfortable with my abilitities, I will probably take a seminar or two and a business course, then open up a small business.
Thanks again for all the info. It is greatly appreciated.
Rob C.
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