Hunting Expo

I need some of my fellow taxidermist opinion. I've been to several hunting shows and generally exhibitors (taxidermist) are just sitting around handing out cards, showing off there work and talking with the public etc (which is fine)... We have a booth at an upcoming deer expo. And I have debated on mounting a wt deer during the show. I believe 80% or more of the public has never seen this done. Time and time again when our customers visit our studio they are amazed at how this is done. I think this would draw more attention from the crowd as they make there way through the expo. Also this helps out in paying for the booth as I'm mounting one of our client's deer. On the other hand do I want to show John Doe our mounting process? If this were 20 years ago
maybe not. But with the internet, supply companies, taxidermy training videos, and schools anyone can find out how this is done.
Enough typing for me...I would like to hear some of my fellow taxidermist opinion's on this issue.

Thanks,
Michael Cole
Milton,Fl.
www.ColesTaxidermy.com

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WE HAVE DONE IT

MICHAEL
the garden state taxidermists association has done this at the expo for years now we have mounted whittail deer waterfowl lifesize black bears
we have more people at our booth than any other exibitor also the other exibitors come around and you should see the work we pick up from the show
more and more people like to watch as you mount something we have had upcomming taxidermists who came back to the show just to learn something to improve there whitetail deer mounts
give it a try also its not going to hurt at all why not do a customer deerhead at the show you will get paid for your job without loosing a days pay well worth it

good luck
JOHN BOLLMANN
PRESIDENT G.S.T.A

Micheal

You will be amased at the response. In fact, I am setting up just such a booth at the local Bass Pro today for an event this weekend. We will be promoting the Michigan Taxidermist Association. Last year, we shut down an entire isleway in the store. The store manager was very happy with the response from his customers. Do it, you will have a better time than just sitting there.

Doug

trade shows

I do that every same thing at Hunting expos and trade shows. Just be prepared for questions that normally customers don't ask when dropping a head off. It helps to have an extra form and eyes on hand so guys can see what kind a materials you are using. I am going to tell you right now that it will take you 3 times longer to get that head done than if you were back at your shop.

I would'nt worry about the competition watching you to see how you are doing it nor would I worry about John Q Public going home and thinking that hes going to mount deer, lets face it you can watch all you want but if you don't have the experiance you are going to fail.

Have fun with it because half the battle of trade shows is having that guy remember next year who you are when he shoots that buck, and he will remember the guy who was mounting a deer rather than the guy sitting on his ass handing out cards.

I do it every year at the Delaware State Fair

I did it three years in a row at Bass Pro in Baltimore. There are no "secrets" and those that are wanting to "roll their own" won't be swayed either way by watching you. We all know that the mounting is the easy part. The prep and the finish work make the difference between a bad, good, or great mount. Go for it and have a good time talking to even more people.

Thanks

Thanks for your advise on this issue. I'm more fired up about this than ever...I wish the show was today!

Thanks,
Michael Cole
Milton, Fl.
www.ColesTaxidermy.com

Did it

I did it at my last show and had a lineup. It was great. Even had an amatuer guy try to tell me I needed more hide paste in the seam. I told him I paste after sewing every few inches to keep the glue off the hair. He looked like the light went on.

One suggestion. Give yourself enough room to work by putting up something to keep the crowd from looking over your shoulder or trying to get in your booth. I set up two tables in an "L" shape and the crowd stays on one side and you on the other.

Also, test fit everything, and label it. I took two left ears and no rights for a mount I was doing. It was kind of embarrasing digging through my box of tricks and not enough ears. Its funny now, but at the time I sent my fiance on a 60 mile round trip to get more ears from the shop.

Hugh