How did you learn taxidermy

[bowhunterforever]

Just curious how you taxidermists learned taxidermy and how long did it take you to learn?Thanks

[Pathfinder101]

Trial and error... and a really old taxidermy book when I was a kid (mostly birds).  I wish I had gotten some good training.  I just do hobby stuff for myself by the way.  I am no where near a pro..

[boneaddict]

Started from scratch or experimentation.  Then I picked up a book or two and then tried to apply the thought process across species lines.  STILL LEARNING

[turkey slayer]

Trial and error, books, DVDs, movies and working and talking with other taxidermists.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Another taxidermist got me interested in taxidermy.  I learned mostly from books, videos, hanging out on taxidermy.net, and other taxidermists.  As far as how long it took me to learn?  I have never stopped.  No taxidermist ever does. 

[bowtech721]

have any of you guys gone to a taxidermy school? I know they cant teach you everything but I visited one this last week in montana and im thinking about attending i was just wondering if any taxidermists on here started out that way...

[BLKBEARKLR]

I went to school, went to one in Wisconsin, it teaches you the basics, very expenisve. And looking back now for the knowledge that I gained don't think it was worth it...

Joe

[fishcrazy]

have any of you guys gone to a taxidermy school? I know they cant teach you everything but I visited one this last week in montana and im thinking about attending i was just wondering if any taxidermists on here started out that way...

Try just hanging out at some of the guys shops and watching them work. It's intresting to see how much work and talent is involved in their form of art.

it also takes an iron gut. I heard a resent story of a taxi skinning a skunk. 
 Noway I would even think about that!!

Kris

[bowtech721]

 

[Michelle_Nelson]

it also takes an iron gut. I heard a resent story of a taxi skinning a skunk. 
 Noway I would even think about that!!

Kris

It wasn't that bad!   

I get quite a few people say "Ewww that's gross how do you do that?".  Usually I tell them if I can get if off with bleach it's not gross.  I have done far worse things than skinning out a skunk.     I have a cougar in the shop right now that smells absolutely retched.   

  My husband was nice enough to bring me lunch a few weeks ago while I was working in the shop fleshing a Bear that had rolled around in a wallow.



I have another picture of me at BLKBEARKLR's shop while we were eating lunch on the same table we had just got done fleshing 3 elk capes on.  I am still looking for it.  Littereally had to push the scrap meat over for us to put our plates down.   

[WDFW-SUX]

I know someone who worked for Klinebergers back in the day when they were in downtown Seattle his job was to uncrate the hides/ capes / skulls etc from over See's......they would have piles of nasty stuff 20 feet high at times...

[Ballance1]

I went to school in Montana and it was worth every Penny.

[boneaddict]

Skunk really isn't a bad smell.  Maggots are worse for me.

My biggest wonder is having enough mounts to do on your own to be proficient enough to charge someone.  You have to at least invest in that license if you are to even charge for reimbursement on some labor or parts for mounts for friends.  THankfully I am a successful hunter so usually have lots to play with of my own, or in this case LOTS!  

[bowtech721]

I went to school in Montana and it was worth every Penny.

where did you go ?

[Michelle_Nelson]

Maggots are part of the business don't ya know.   

[Michelle_Nelson]

I went to school in Montana and it was worth every Penny.

where did you go ?

There is a school in Montana called "Second Nature School of Taxidermy".  I have heard nothing but good things from that school.  

[boneaddict]

Honestly they don't even bother me much after what I see at work.  Burn victims are the best.  They really work on your senses the most, especially the nose/taste,  then emotionially.  If you can handle what ocmes out of people from all their exits, then not much in the animal kingdom can shake you up.

[Whitelightning]

it also takes an iron gut. I heard a resent story of a taxi skinning a skunk. 
 Noway I would even think about that!!

Kris

It wasn't that bad!   

I get quite a few people say "Ewww that's gross how do you do that?".  Usually I tell them if I can get if off with bleach it's not gross.  I have done far worse things than skinning out a skunk.     I have a cougar in the shop right now that smells absolutely retched.   

  My husband was nice enough to bring me lunch a few weeks ago while I was working in the shop fleshing a Bear that had rolled around in a wallow.



I have another picture of me at BLKBEARKLR's shop while we were eating lunch on the same table we had just got done fleshing 3 elk capes on.  I am still looking for it.  Littereally had to push the scrap meat over for us to put our plates down.   

Michelle is that my bear you are fleshing? sorry I didnt leave you any meat on that one

[Michelle_Nelson]

Michelle is that my bear you are fleshing? sorry I didnt leave you any meat on that one

Actually, yes it was come to think about it.   

That thing must have been taking a mud bath when you killed it.  It was so muddy it had dredlocks (sp?). 

[bolsen]

i went to second nature school of taxidermy last spring and it was great. really good teachers. i recommend anyone thats interested in going to school to give them a call. Im doing pretty good in my first year.

[boneaddict]

Cost?   you can pm me.

[Elkstuffer]

I started dabbling with taxidermy when I was 9 years old. I sent away for a taxidermy (mailorder coarse) and kind of learned the basics. I decided that I wanted a career change after going to work for Ford Motor Co. right after college. I also knew that if I was going to charge people for there hard earned trophies that I better know what I'm doing. I enrolled into the Missoula Valley School of Taxidermy in Thompson Falls, MT. Great instructor and great learning experience. I wound up spending between $8,000 and $10,000 by the time I was finished. And like Michelle said "I will continue to learn as long as I'm still doing it".

[bowhunterforever]

have any of you guys gone to a taxidermy school? I know they cant teach you everything but I visited one this last week in montana and im thinking about attending i was just wondering if any taxidermists on here started out that way...

What school did you visit bowtech?

[bucklucky]

I guess I better add mine now  

I actually wanted to be a Taxidermist since I was in 2nd grade. Every since then all I did was draw deer , elk , moose , and caribou. That was clear through the 12th grade. I even had a teacher stop class in the middle of a lecture to show everyone a picture I was drawing while everybody else was taking notes   He said to me and the class " dont stop, keep on drawing this will get you somewhere someday" and he continued his lecture and I continued to draw.
 
  After Highschool I started killing some nice bucks and hung out at the local Taxidermy shop with my budy. I basically learned some basics and learned how to cape. From there I took everything I learned thereand re-learned everything the way I thought it should be done. No more shortcuts. I would say my best learning tool was Scott Brewers video's in Research. They helped me out quite a bit. I never did go to school and by the time I was seriousely was thinking about it I pretty much learned what I needed anyway so I kept my money and started my buisness. I have learned thingsa nere and there. Got some good help from a couple of seminars I took while at the Boise Taxidermy competition in 07 or 08. I have gotten a few good pointers from some very good taxidermists also. Like as stated by a few others I will never quit learning. I swear I learn something new every time I do something. I learned today that Watusis ar fricken HUDGE  

[Kuduman]

 

Bucklucky is right on the money. I've been out for a bit and noticed this thread when I got back on line.
 I like most everyone else am self taught. I really started learning when I cometed and state and regional shows. I think that's one of the reasons that I would like to see a state association start up again. Seminars at some of these shows are a great value if there put on by some of the real masters of our profession.  I've attended Scott Brewers seminars and felt lucky that I did he's awesome at what he does and that reflects in the cost of his work.
Like allot of things taxidermy is an evolving artform and just when you think you got it you realize you don't. New methods and new products come out every year that cause you to stay on top of your profession.

Jeff

A.K.A Kuduman

[Ballance1]

Missoula Valley school of Taxidermy in Thompson Falls.  It was fun and I learned a lot

[bowtech721]

I visited second nature and if the money works out im gonna go i really liked the guy and it seemed like a good place to start

[h2ofowlr]

Maggots are part of the business don't ya know.   

How did the Rice Crispies get into the tub?   

[Pathfinder101]

    been there..

[Michelle_Nelson]

How did the Rice Crispies get into the tub?   

I have a ziplock of them for snacken and I dropped some.