I tend to be a man of few words...except for once in a while!
My loving wife, friends, relatives would all tell you emphatically I detest talking on the phone. I am the most boring person in the world to try and talk to on the phone! Heck, I wish the dadblasted things were never invented. If something is really important, send me a letter! Phones complicate life, and the things are downright annoying. I do not enjoy hearing the things ring and often moan when they do like an old curmudgeon that didn't get his fair share of bacon at the old folks home!
Having said that, as this post gets ever longer, I, like many on here, hold strong and often stubborn opinions. Frankly, I like that! George Roof inspires me. JOhn C (I always get a kick out of the large "O" in JOhn, must be a trademark web-handle thing), Bill Yox is everyman's taxidermist, professional, tactful, yet pulls his fleshing machine-splattered drawers on one leg at a time like the rest of us,. and gets whizzed off occasionally! By the way, Mr. Roof, I love your tucking tool! Necessity is the mother of invention!
Bruce, and others: I discovered this site not to terribly long ago, and am relatively new to taxidermy as a part-time profession (and absolutely loving it), have tanned critter skins for many years and decided to get into taxidermy as business last year after tinkering around for some time as a hobby. This site and the "Orange Button" have been a godsend, and just plain fun to peruse.
I received the ultimate compliment the other day when a first-time customer from Coweta, Oklahoma picked up his finished Alert Sneak deer mount and (I was not around) told my wife it was 40-60% better than ANY of his other mounts and I had his business from now on! THAT, to me, is what makes it all worth while!
I do not post often here, nor respond often, but do REALLY love this site!
For Bruce: WELCOME ABOARD! You will find this is a great fraternity of taxidermists and hobbyists at all levels of experience!
And, Mr. Yox, well said! I like your attitude and hand of friendship extended to newcomers like myself and Bruce and others.
(This is getting long winded)
Bruce, you sound like an interesting person! Reminds me of the zeal I had when I first started tanning hides years ago! I ate, slept, breathed, sat on the can and pondered methods, techniques, etc.! Wife thought I was obsessed and, frankly, I was and really still am!
Bruce, my brother was a sargeant posted along the Korean DMZ. Military intelligence. Which I always teased him was a contradiction in terms!
Well...gotta get back to work!
Best Regards,
458okie
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Okie,
Shoot me an e-mail I want to talk to you about some of your work. I'm out of Coweta OK. Thanks
Chad:
I hope it wasn't one of your customers! LOL Sorry...couldn't resist!
Actually I'm fairly sure it wasn't one of your customers...he used someone in Tulsa metro area or Sapulpa, I think.
Another taxidermist aquaintance of mine in Tulsa may be sending me (refering) his overflow work once I give the word and want to kick in the afterburners, so to speak.
I don't do fish (yet), or turkeys (yet, but want to eventually).
I am going by appointment only and at my own pace, due to working two other jobs at this time and I need a life beyond work for family, kids, etc. I hate talking on the phone, but am printing some flyers with pricing and my Hotmail email address. Email does not annoy me like the phone does. I stopped posting it on here due to geting spammed with virus-laden emails.
One day, I desire to make the transition into my own full-time taxidermy business, but the word-of-mouth stuff is sufficient for now.
I'd like to get to know some of the local folks in the biz, however, but am in no rush, either.
Best Regards,
-458okie
Okie,
I'm in the same boat you are in, I'm fairly new to the business and always looking for someone to exchange ideas. Taxidermy is something I do as a hobby and really enjoy learning, plus it keeps me closer to my passion (hunting)! I figured it would be nice to have local taxidermist around I could give a yell to now and then. Shoot me an e-mail if you want to BS about Taxi.
Chad:
I added your email address to my list and will keep in touch. I enjoy exchanging ideas, as well!
Starting into the business, I developed a customer contract specific to Oklahoma which you may be interested in taking a look at to model your own after. I also contacted the legal department of the Wildlife commission, etc. Stuff you may want to know.
Perhaps we could meet sometime and shoot the breeze a bit (I talk better in person than on the phone...ha, ha! Just had to throw that in!)
I work in Tulsa for the state of Oklahoma as a case manager fulltime, and part-time on weekends for local hospitals and, of course, taxidermy, "honey-dos" for my wife, and coach-pitch with the boys scattered throughout the week! Sometimes too busy for my blood, but, what the heck! In the Fall, I'm a deer hunting fanatic, as well.
Be careful about posting your email here, as some low-life characters like to email viruses and such (probably PETA fanatics). I learned that first-hand! Just FYI.
Regards, 458okie
Yes, that military intelligence thing can be a contradiction of terms (like you just kidding).
Glad to hear your taxidermy endevors are turning out so great.
I am also (normally) a man of few words.
Thanks, for welcoming me aboard. But, I've been coming here for over a year.
Is your brother still in the military? Thank him for me, if he is. Heck, thank him for me even if he isn't.
Best regards back at you and perhaps we'll chat again in the future.
You gotta get rid of that "Mr." crap with me. I'm old enough to respect in some other generation, but not here. And besides, that's my Dad's name. He's 83, but he sews worse than I do and I don't think he's ever skinned out a deer in his life. Glad you like the tool: don't know why it works, though. Just glad it does.