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.