I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO DO TAXIDERMY BUT DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GO TO SCHOOL ON IT PLUSE I'AM MARRIED AND HAVE 3 KIDS IS THERE A HOME CORSE OR A ON LINE CORSE TO GO BY. NEED HELP
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Here's my 2 cents. Get a couple good small mammel mounting videos (preferably featuring a raccoon). Then I would suggest trying a raccoon shoulder mount, it's easier than a full body and much less expensive, also your chance of good results are much better that with a full body mount. Some people reccomend a squirrel for a first attempt, not me, I think they are too hard to work with because they are so small. If you like it then invest a little money in the proper tools and suscribe to Breakthrough and Taxidermy Today. Just do not get too discouraged if your first attempt is not so good. I have taught myself by video and manuals. The basic principals apply to all mammels.
Schools may be the best approach, but cost $$$$. You can buy alot of videos, manuals, and tools for less than the price of a school. I tried a squirrel as my first attempt.., ended up in the garbage, LOL! Anytime I had something to mount, I would a buy a video from one of the suppliers. WASCO, McKensie, Matuska, Van Dykes, Research, all have great learning videos. I have a few I cna sell at a resonable price, if interested.., feel free to email me.
Bill
Join your state taxidermy association and attend their annual convention. The seminars will provide you with many ways to improve you work, and, in addition, you'll be able to meet a lot of folks that are in the business, who are more than willing to share information and techniques. Once you've gotten a few animals, or fish, as the case may be, under your belt enter a competition. The experience and resulting critique of your work is worth its weight in gold in helping you improve. All the above may cost a little, but, is a lot cheaper than the school prices I've seen. You might check your local community colleges, as a lot of them offer courses now at a very reasonable rate. Hope this helps.
I'm doing the same thing. Learning it now so I can do it full time after I retire from my civil service job. Started about 5 years ago just doing novelties. Deer foot lamps, gun racks, rump mounts, antler mounts, etc. When I got comfortable with that, I got into tanning til I was comfortable with it. Now I'm into game heads and getting along pretty well. Just bought an air brush and some repros to start getting familiar with fish. I just take my time and work on getting good at one thing at a time. There are all kinds of books and videos out there to help you get started. Be Patient and don't give up on it. You WILL fail, but you'll learn a LOT at the same time. Good luck And keep coming back to this site and ask questions! These guys/gals are the best teachers you'll find!