Submitted by Turtle on 3/21/99. ( mooretr@in-arng.ngb.army.mil )
I've never done a turkey. I have mounted a few tails, and I did a flat wall hanging mount a couple years ago. I have found a lady in Illinois that will sell me pen raised birds, but not until October. I had an idea about placing an ad at a couple hunting shops in town stating that I would mount their bird for free if they pay for materials. I would limit the offer to the first 5 hunters brave enough to let me practice on their birds. I would also make it quite clear in the ad that I am a beginner and need the practice. I don't know how else to get the practice without spending an arm and leg for birds and materials. I have mentioned this to a couple friends and they are willing to accept the offer if they kill a bird. Any thoughts on my idea would be appreciated whether they be positive or negative. Turtle
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This response submitted by Gary on 3/21/99. ( buxtaxdari@oregoncoast.com )
Turtle, I did the same thing 4 years ago I started by tanning a few hides and mounting a few ducks of my own . Then I offered to mount my friends deer that year I expected a few forken horns and maybe a three point or two(six point to you eastern hunters).
Well ,I started with 6 deer and 2 blackbear and now 4 years later I'm busier than I could ever imagine with over 50 projects this year and of course as I got better every year I raised my prices! and I'll keep raising them as I progress. I've found Turtle That most hunters
pay for quality taxidermy and quality taxidermy takes time ,time at seminars and competitions and time looking at reference material and yes time looking over this forum. So my advice as a novice Is go ahead and mount a few pieces at cost go to every seminar you can, learn and as you get better,
up the price don't undercut the next guy, If you do quality work they will come and they will pay your price eventualy. Gary
This response submitted by Bill on 3/21/99. ( yoxtax@aol.com )
I cant stress enough that you must be paid for your time and you set a sticky situation up for yourself by doing it the way you had suggested. The community at large doesnt know or need to know that you are new at turkeys. Do some for your friends to gain experience. They will pay your materials AND some time to you, believe me. Don't sell yourself so short.Hell, I made some good money on my first leopard, you see what I mean? If you dont charge something for your time now, it will haunt you later, I've seen it with some of my students. Thats my opinion...
This response submitted by Turtle on 3/22/99. ( () )
Bill, what do you mean sticky situation? People ask a lot of questions when a new guy starts up a business. Like how many turkeys have you done? Who did you do them for? Where did you go to school? I figured that if I was up front about being a beginner, and that I was doing the work for nothing, that I might get at least a couple of people that could not afford to pay full price. Then, I was hoping that if I did a decent job, these guys would spread the word about me. If I don't let them know I'm a beginner, and I do a bad job, the bad word will spread like wildfire. I was also afraid that if and when I get a customer, they would haul a$$ as soon as they found out I'm just a beginner. I would like to get paid for my time. However, I do not have the money to take training. Thought this would be getting the training by doing and the price I pay is not getting paid. I would dearly love to get some formal training. But, unfortunatly, Army pay just aint enough to allow me to do that. Hell, John C made me an offer a while back for some free lessons, but I cannot afford to take the trip to Ark. I guess what I needed was some fatherly advice from the experts, and to make sure I eas not doing something enethical. Thanks for the assist. Turtle
This response submitted by Perry on 3/22/99. ( pgk@ncentral.com )
Turtle,
The sticky situation Bill is refering to is that anytime some
one comes to you with a "New" specimen you never mounted before,
they will expect a discount. The mechanics of mounting any bird
are very simmilar. While anatomy, coloration and size may differ
somewhat, the step you take are the same, skin, defat, degrease,
fluff/dry, mount, and finish. Yes, there are variations and with
turkeys you have freeze dried or synthetic heads. you have bigger
wires and more fat. Bill, is not saying to flat out lie. But the
fact that you have never mounted a turkey is secondary. If you
show confidence in your ability you will have no problem picking
up a few customers. I had one guy throw me a tanned cape and a set of
antlers. I was embarrassed, but I had to ask what the Hell it was.
He told me it was a moluccan rusa deer. In the back of my mind
I thought "Ok Thats a big help, I still don't know what the @#$%
it looks like, or if I can get a mannikin". Thats not what I told him.
After talking with a few people at an NTA convention, I was able
to find enought info to get the mount done, and the customer was
happy.
Try this turtle, Buy one of those turkeys and practice on it.
If you have 1 or 2 close friends you can count on. materials + a
little time wouldn't hurt. I have two very close friends who I
hunt with and are more like brothers. Yes, I do mount much of their
stuff at cost, and sometimes throw in a freebee. but they keep
their mouth shut about it and I know I can trust them too. they
don't want to blow a good thing. They helped me out back in my
early years, and continue to help and be great friends. I have
been hit with the " have you ever mounted one of these" types many
times. They are usually the nickle and dimers who are looking
for a bargain. They will be your worst nightmare. your add for
the first 5 will bring them to you in hords, and they will never
let you alone. they will also get pissed off when you don't offer
discounts on other mounts because "They Helped" you out before.
Good luck
This response submitted by Rob on 3/22/99. ( )
Turtle there is nothing wrong with wanting to better your ability but be careful in doing it in the manner you are talking.I did my first turkey years ago as a beginner just for cost of materials.All I did was sell myself short and be used.The mount turned out much better than I anticipated.Like Perry stated all the procedures are basically the same so have confidence in your ability.Now to top it off the same guy I did the cheap turkey for harvested a nice buck a couple years later , guess what? He asked me for the price and then took it to another taxidermist who was a mere 25.00 cheaper because I wouldn't give him a break.Hey thats how it goes.If you still want to try one, follow Perry's advice and only do one for the closest of friends or family not the general public.
One other thing you might consider.Figure the time it will take you to mount the 5 turkeys mentioned and work for someone part time(farmer,mow grass,any type of short term cash job)and save your money.Use this money to purchase your own items and supplies or keep saving it possibly for a little taxidermy education somewhere.
Finally I promise you doing 5 turkeys for cost will be one of the worst mistakes you'll make in taxidermy.You'll believe me probably after the first one,definately after the second when you still have 3 more freebies to do. Good luck
This response submitted by Turtle on 3/23/99. ( )
Guys, you dont know how much I appreciate the opinions and assistance. I had been toying this idea around in my head for a couple weeks. I had even made up the flyers and was ready to distribute. But, I had this nagging feeling (my girlfriend) telling me I should be getting paid for my work. Getting the same answers from you all has convinced me to abandon my idea. I am redoing my flyers to announce a new kid in town and I'll put out some business card holders at various places and hope for the best. 2 of my buddys have already taken me up on my previous offer. So, I am going to do 2 mounts at cost. But, as Perry stated, it will be worth it. They have helped me out several times over the years. Thanks again. Turtle
This response submitted by Janie on 3/23/99. ( )
Turtle, Take $30 dollars and buy one of the videos in the catalogs on
turkey mounting you can also go to a turkey farm and buy you a bird
cheap they will have the white turkeys and also the darker ones that
look like the wild turkey I think they call them bronze turkeys not
for sure tho.This is how I started out years ago and it was abig help.
This response submitted by Bill on 3/23/99. ( yoxtax@aol.com )
the only thing that will spread like wildfire, as you said, would be the at cost price you charge, believe me. Just to show you that Im sincere, you contact me during the month of May, our turk season, and I"ll ship you a turk and you pay only the shipping. Practice on that one for free and charge your friends at least your time. Then you can charge the client the going rate with no shame. Now THATS a bargain. Its up to you, I'm not gonna force you to call me, OK?
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