I have a few questions about beginning taxidermy.

Welcome. I suggest start with some DVD's like Rick Carter's Whitetail A-Z. Then practice on a few. Then once you have some beginner skills go to some training like a Yox-a-thon (weekend seminar hosted by Bill Yox) to take it to the next level. By then, you'll be able to charge and will learn a lot through trial and error. You can also apprentice if there's anyone in your area willing to let you.

 

Chris I would recommend since you are going to college major in a field and get a job and do taxidermy as a second job, hard to make a living with taxidermy unless you are in a good location and work. Good luck.

 

I second what Gasman said. It's always good to have something to fall back on. It might be that the second job is what you fall back on if taxidermy doesn't earn enough full time, or it might be that taxidermy is your fall back career if you can't make enough at your day job. For me, this is the third year in a row that I've raised my prices. I now charge $600 for a deer, and $800 for a pig, but it's still a far cry from what I can make with benefits and retirement at my day job. It's always good to learn as many marketable skills as you can.

 

Hey Chris I always wanted to learn taxidermy as well, since I was a teenager. Now I'm 37 and this is my third year pracitcing taxidermy as a hobby. I have several fish a couple squirrels, bobcat, and a deer under my belt. I still have lots and lots to learn. First thing you need to do is a get a McKenzie catalog. What I have done is slowly bought just about all the breakthrough manuals, several dvd's, and been adding tools, paint and the many other items you have to have as I go. I have quite a bit of money invested so be prepared for that.
There are also alot of videos on Youtube and http://www.helpinghandhangers.com/videos.php
has some videos as well. This is a great place to research all of your specific questions. The Advanced search is very handy. Get a critter buy the stuff to mount it and go for it.
Good luck!!!

WVO

 

Chris, would you like to end up a millionaire taxidermist? Just borrow $2 million and in 3 or 4 years, that's all you'll have left in your loan. Even the "very good" at it -though some of them are going to try and deny it- end to have other venues for money making at their disposal. Those who do it "for love" are poor just like the rest of us. Continue with the college and get a degree in biology. The anatomy will prove invaluable to you as you pursue this as a HOBBY. Very few of us have degrees and most of us are poor business people because of it.

 

Lot's of good advice here Chris. Good luck and do get the degree while becoming a taxidermist!

 

I have a lot of DVD's (probably over 50). The best I've found are any of Rick Carter's, Rick Krane's (fish), Jan Van Hoosen (bobcat), and any from Taxidermytrainingunlimited.com. Good luck.