Calling it quits

I feel all of what you said George. I myself have cut WAY back on the amount of work I take. Partly because of physical concerns but mainly the things you brought up. I also after 30 odd years have greatly cut back on the amount of Association work I do. It's time for the next wave to succeed or fail.

 

George,
I wish you well in whatever you take on.
You are one of the enjoyable characters on this site that keeps me coming back. I hope you continue to hang out for yrs to come.

Prop your feet up and chew snuff.
(old fella I worked with used to say that)

 

George compared to time on taxinet im still a newbie . As you know you and I have had more than one head butting bout. But we found along the way we have more in common than differences. Im honored to have argued, talked and befriended you. I can only have respect for a man that never backs down, stands for what he believes in and willing to argue about it to hell freezes over.
On the taxidermy career side im a little over half way with Georges time in. So trust me I do understand his love hate relationship with taxidermy.
3 bears , In not sure if 10 years just ain’t enough time to understand it. Don’t try to read more into than whats really in a “ love hate relationship “ 35 years in to it, I have come to a.
I hate coming to the shop most days , but I love i dont have to work any place else. I hate dealing with a lot of customers, but I love i dont work for a butthole Boss someplace , I hate working saturdays or long hours sometimes, But I love not being told when I can or can’t leave, take off, come in, break, Lunch. The list could probably go on for ever.
George most of us will never be remembered by our peers , but you will for many reasons, and that alone is an honor most only wish for.
You and I have been called an a$$ more than a time or two. I recon “ I would rather be remembered for being an a$$hole, than not being remembered at all!”
George I wish you a DAM GOOD TIME in the next chapter of your life. So have fun enjoy yourself.
Glenn

 

Well

well then you’ll be rembered for generations. Sorry Glenn you set yourself up for that.

 

George, Congratulations on retirement from taxidermy, I hope you enjoy it. Some days I act like I am retired and just go play outside, then I feel guilty and work late into the evening to make up for it.
Do you have any words of advice for us idiots that keep at taxidermy? 5 mins ago I just had a call asking me what I charge for a "buck head" I tell them and they say thanks, and hang up. hmmm could be a startup taxi. or another cheap customer. It's kind of discouraging. Should I try to get a job at Walmart?

 

Yep and so proud!!!!

 

Glenn, I know that I am a newbie, as far as years of running a taxidermy business but I am not young and naive, and as I said, I have dealt with customers for over 30 years, in all of my career choices. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. I'm sure I have not lived a "Charmed" life and have had to deal with my share of customers that weren't the greatest but, ultimately the good outweigh the bad and if anyone continues to do business with the bad, then that is on them. Maybe they should target a different market I guess, as George says he is doing. Good for him.
I was once as pessimistic as many seem to be but man that made life suck. I choose to see things in a different light.

 

George , I have enjoyed reading your posts over the last few years.You could always be counted on to give the answers to keep us moving forward.Good Luck!!!

 

Shoot! 3 bears, ain’t young and naive what we long for now.
I think we all are a glutton for punishment or we wouldn’t even try this thing called “ self employment “
3 bears you can call yourself a newbie in business , but you have made 10 years and still “ here”. Its safe to say you WILL be around 30 years from now. Obviously your doing something right! On the other hand if Georges predictions hold true we both are gonna be $hit out luck as jobs go.

 

There nothing new under the sun. The old will become new again.

 

The industry will be a little emptier without you. Rather than take in all those deer heads of those whiners who want it now, select and limit the intake to those that appreciate good work, will pay for it and know it takes time to do and do well. You still get to do a job you like (albeit less of it) and get an appreciative customer base. And free time to play in the sawdust. A lot of it boils down to money. Many of us have less of it but still want the same value we got from it 10 years or more ago.

 

George, good post. I hope it goes well with you.

I remember when I shut down my shop after doing taxidermy for thirty years and almost 10 years as a full time shop. I had to quit because I needed to spend time with my family and take care of my house hold. I also have a couple of serious diseases that made it impossible to work. I do deer heads for three family friends and a handful of antler mounts now days.
At first I didn't know what to do with myself not being in the shop every waking hour. Then hunting seasons happened and what a relief it has been to relax and actually hunt instead of busting butt in the shop.
My freezer full my personal stuff is starting to empty out a we bit and I feel almost stress free.

Enjoy your time away from the shop.

 

George ole chap! Though a little harsh and negative....as is your custom....I can understand where you are coming from. In fact I am a little envious, because the happiest day of my life is going to be when I mount my last deer! Unfortunately they will probably have to pry my body off of it and bury me the next day as I will have to work till I am dead! This is a great business but it does take a toll on you! Some days I feel I just can't do it any more but I keep on going! Because I have too!

For a poor boy from the hills of Alabama this business has helped me see and do things that people who are much wealthier than I have never done! Though always on a budget I have managed to hunt from Alaska to Africa and meet some interesting people along the way! I guess for everything I have had to give up for this business ...I have gained something else! I often actually feel guilty for my negative attitude some times because when I look back I have accomplished almost everything I have ever set out to do! Looking back over the years I really only have one major regret...one failure in life that haunts me to this day;

I was never able to convince George Roof there is no bigfoot!

George...we have never met in person...but should we meet tomorrow I would introduce you to others as "my friend"!

 

This probably isn't the place and y'all probably don't want to hear it, but I would like to learn how to do proper procedures from skinning, fleshing, to salting and tanning. Is there anyone around Waller, TX willing to teach me? I have the general idea and have tried several, but I'm not doing something right or somethings right and would love to learn how to do it right. I can't afford thousands of dollars at one of those schools for two to six weeks; I have a full time job, but am willing to pay some. Thanks for listening anyway.

 

George George Geoge you old fart, I see exactly where your coming from. I'm totally feed up with high prices, forms 80.00 dollars, every thing going sky high. Just had a barnwood coffee table made, thought I would call McKenzie WTF 2250.00 the guy that did it for me charged me 425.00 and did a great job. Critter clay 50.00 +. Buckeye hide paste 160.00, deer eyes 25.00. Shipping and the way it arrives is another long sad story. We should all be charging 1000.00 for a deer head. I know I got off subject a little but just seems every day something else in the taxidermy world. Fishing what's that?

 

You're so EMO George! LOL...don't start "cutting" yourself now that you don't cut dead animals :-D

 

George
As I remember it that article was titled, "The Difference Between Art and Madness ". I need to find my copy and read it again.

 

Happy retirement George. Hope you stay on the taxi-net. I know a lot of guys like getting advice from you including myself. Thanks George for all the help through the years, I will try to stay in touch.

 

I know George, you are right, you are always right, is that what you want to hear? I don't take exception to your post but, you seem to have mine. My "Feel bads" don't get hurt that easy, You may not have intended for your post to be negative towards taxidermy but that is how I read it, and from what I've gathered from others, I'm not the only one. I am not going to sit here and tell you how you should feel or see things. You have your own experiences to do that, just as I have, they just differ.
As far as the UTA is concerned, I was approached, by the sitting board, to fill a vacant spot for a regional directer, which accepted. I'm sorry that they didn't find it necessary to get your permission prior. The elections are coming up I believe, I'm not sure how they work, I'm still learning the bylaws but, if you have an issue with me continuing then vote that way. I've been here long enough to have read over and over how you know where the skeletons are buried but, what good would it do to exhume those now or ever? We cannot move forward, while we continue to look back. Attempting to do so will ensure that we walk right into every obstacle that may get in our way.