Hey guys... I have been doing taxidermy for about 6-8 months, and I can say I do a pretty nice deer head! However I Know about 5% of what there is to know in this field, and I LOVE to do it! I would like nothing more than to be able to do this as a career, but lack the knowledge and experience. I am really thinking in enrolling in a taxidermy institute, so I can broaden my skills and knowledge? Does any one have a good success story or have any advise on where or whether its worth it? I live in Maryland, close to PA line. I like the looks of Pennsylvania Institute of Taxidermy. Any response is appreciated!
Thanks.
Csmith
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Click that orange SEARCH icon in the left column there and type in "Taxidermy Schools" or "What do you think about taxidermys schools". You can get a few weeks worth of reading there.
Give me your email address, I have some info for you on.
ooops, posted the last message before I was finished typing. Anyways, I have some information on the school I attended and if you will give me your email address I will tell you all about my experience.
Chad
I went to this school and was very pleased with the teachers and facilities. Take a look at it before you choose. I think you would be happy.
The best option in your area is Jason Snowberger's Academy of Wildlife Art near Altoona. He has small classes(5 students max) and he and Gary Bruch are 2 of the instructors there--can't get any better than those. I think if you look at his curriculum you will find it to be second to none.
I graduated from PIT in 2003 and attended a workshop at Jason's school just after he got it finished. There is no comparison to the individual attention you would get from Jason. He has all the tools and supplies right at your disposal.PIT has lost many of their best instructors since I was there.
If I had it to do over, I would do my training at Academy of Wildlife Art. There is a link to taxidermy schools on the main page.
the same thing and asked my local taxidermist who has won state and national awards about it and he did not recomend school because he feels the students get cheated regarding what pay for what they learn. He taught himself and his work is as good as anybodys in the world so its hard not to take any advice he gives. Anybody else have an opinon on this?
Glen, my opinion is that no schooling alone will make a great taxidermist. There has to be some level of talent involved. Some people have a God given gift to do this, others have to work at it. Regardless, schools, in my opinion, help people to realize the talents they have. Be it learning the basics or expanding on knowledge you already have, schools give students the building blocks they need to go as far as thier drive and talent will take them.
Chad
I graduated from PIT during the time they had some turmoil. December "05 to be exact. I have moved on to successful employment as a full time taxidermist. Schools can only "teach you the basics" as far as I am concerned. You get your real life schooling once you get on the job.
I will not bad mouth the school. It was a great experience and yes, experience is the name of the game. At least you get exposed to all facets of the art of taxidermy. From there you can choose wether you want to specialize in a certain field or run a full time shop with full service.
There are many considerations when it comes to choosing a school. For one thing $, how far away from home it is and the cirriculum they teach. These decisions are things YOU must deal with. For the most part it is hard to get student loans to attend.
As I stated previously, I went to PIT and would not steer you wrong if you e-mailed me about my experience.
Be good,
Joe
I think what alot of those schools charge is way to much for basic lessons. I know some schools are better than others and they will teach you things you don't know but I think if you just talk to other taxidermist or maybe even apprentice with one you will learn more there than spending thousands of dollars to mount one or two of each thing. Knowledge comes from experience, and you can't buy that. I wanted to go to school to and still may do so I just think they charge to much, plus you have to bring your own specimens or buy them from the school. Alot of money for a short amount of time.