New to Taxidermy, and this site!

[BeRandee]

How's it going, folks? My name's Brandee and am am beginning to dive into taxidermy. I live out in Roy, WA and am currently stationed at JBLM. Last year while stationed at Fort Campbell, I purchased a wet tanned cayote from someone and did my first ever mount. I feel it turned out pretty damn good for my first attempt! It's not perfect and a few things popped up as it dried that I noticed I had done wrong or missed. I simply went off a tutorial on I believe, McKenzies website on how to do a grey fox. Posted a picture on a FB group ad tweaked it there. I am really wanting to turn this in to more than just a hobby. I have two deer capes to flesh and turn this weekend and hopefully get into my newly ordered tanning solution, and someone who wants me to do a lifesize racoon for them as well. If there are any Taxidermists in the area of Roy who has time for someone like me to sort of mentor or do a type of apprenticeship with me, I would be MORE than excited! I want to learn and keep getting my hands dirty but really only have the weekends to do it. My garage isn't quite set up yet for work. The plan in the future is to build or buy a small shop/building to taxidermy work in.

 I have 2 years left in the Army and my plan is to become at least a part time taxidermist. That is my goal anyways. Thanks!!! And I look forward to chatting amongst you!

[Woodchuck]

Welcome to the site and good luck in your quest. 

[kckrawler]

Welcome!

Don't know if you're interested in it or not but there seems to be a lack of high quality rug makers these days. If you got into that, I'm sure you could drum up some serious business from this site 

[BeRandee]

Thanks KC! I know the person who want's me to do the full size coon either wanted the full size coon or a rug mount. I have someone sending me some capes hopefully soon so maybe I'll try a rug on one of them! I ride horses and they are expensive. Army doesn't pay me good enough to support that habit haha.

[bear hunter]

Welcome.....and Thanks for your service. I can try and get you a coon. If you want? This will be my first trapping season so will see. Just waiting for the cold weather in December for a better hides. Glod luck hole some one takes you in under there wing and helps you out. I think you will do fine. People have to start some where.

[HntnFsh]

Welcome aboard! And yes, Thank you for your service! Hope you find a mentor! Best of luck to you!

[Smossy]

Welcome to the family, neighbor.

[BeRandee]

Thanks everyone! Getting pretty excited to get this stuff started! Probably going to make a fleshing board this weekend as well. Hopefully I can get it nice and smooth so I don't put holes in my hides lol.

 I was looking into getting my Taxidermist License and wow. The price was pretty shocking lol. I was speaking to an awesome taxidermist in Indiana and he pays like, $15 for his. I was hoping WA wasn't going to be lame about it but I shouldn't have been suprized. Are they yearly Licenses? Or do they last longer than that? Thanks again!

[bear hunter]

Yearly

[Shooting Stix]

Hey talk to natures way he might have classes to make you better or advise he is one of the best and he is in Graham

[boneaddict]

Welcome Brandee.   

Taxidermy is fun, I sorta learned...the hard way, trail by error.  I wish you luck in reaching the next level.

Thanks for your service.  Tough times ahead, thank you.

[BeRandee]

I'll have to stop by Natures Way, graham isn't too far from me! Thanks everyone!

[elkhunter1977]

Also check out the forum Taxidermy..net. lots of useful information and some knowledgeable taxidermists on that forum. Also some pretty good tutorials and good feed back and critiques for the beginner.

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

BeRandee,
Welcome!! Great people on here and we are glad to have ya!

[BeRandee]

I didn't get a chance to do even half of what I wanted to this weekend so I didn't touch the hides besides putting them back in the freezer. My neighbor, Smossy let me barrow his fleshing board so now I am much more confident in being able to do a good job fleshing these. I also got a coon to practice on. Need to skin it when I get home today. Busy weekend, heading to Utah tomorrow as soon as we get home! Everything will have to wait until the first weekend of December I'm thinking. Yay fun lol