Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: coriantonk on November 21, 2010, 01:42:20 AM

Title: Roger's Northwest School of Taxidermy
Post by: coriantonk on November 21, 2010, 01:42:20 AM: I saw their ad in the Tacoma area Little Nickel today. I thought it might be a good experience, but I don't know anything about them. I am not planning on opening a taxidermy shop. I am just curious, are there other schools in the area? Is there one school that could be recommended over another? Like I said I am just kind of curious. I will contact Roger's on Monday and get more info from them, but I thought I would ask for your input.
Title: Re: Roger's Northwest School of Taxidermy
Post by: PolarBear on November 21, 2010, 04:25:10 AM: Be careful with Roger's (if you are talking the one in Lakewood). I have a friend who learned taxidermy from him and let's say the guy is in and out of legal trouble a lot and not very ethical. I have heard that he has been accused of "losing" clients mounts only to find out that he had sold them. I also looked into taking classes from him but was advised to steer clear. :twocents:
Title: Re: Roger's Northwest School of Taxidermy
Post by: Bandit on November 21, 2010, 09:49:55 AM: Does anyone know of any taxidermy school or classes in Eastern Washington? Something I have always wanted to do.
Title: Re: Roger's Northwest School of Taxidermy
Post by: PolarBear on November 21, 2010, 04:28:27 PM: Check this out and decide if you want to deal with this guy.
http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/IndustryArticles/02/h/0277166234.html (http://www.taxidermy.net/forums/IndustryArticles/02/h/0277166234.html)
Title: Re: Roger's Northwest School of Taxidermy
Post by: Hyde on November 21, 2010, 06:59:27 PM: Quote from: Bandit on November 21, 2010, 09:49:55 AM
Does anyone know of any taxidermy school or classes in Eastern Washington? Something I have always wanted to do.

There's a school in Missoula, but unless you're ready to quit your day job and go full time, I suggest finding a local taxi that will give you lessons for a fee. It won't be cheap.

I had a life long desire to learn too. Back in the early 80's, I actually got thrown out of several taxidermy shops after inquiring about getting lessons. It was REALLY guarded back then, and there were no DVD's or videos, or internet. Finally, a guy in Yuba City California let me in his shop and actually let me loiter for 30-40 minutes at a time before he would send me on my way. I offered to do odd jobs for him, anything to keep myself in the shop to snoop at what he was doing. Finally, after much nagging, he taught me to do a duck and a pheasant. He subsequently showed me the door after the lessons, saying "ok, now go home and practice". I learned very quickly that I despised doing birds. All I really wanted to do was game heads. Fast forward 20 years... I luckily found a local taxi here in Seattle who was willing to give me the lessons I wanted. I learned game heads, and life size, and paid more than 3k over 2 years (weekends). Tools and stuff to practice on will also set you back many hundreds. I suggest that you check out taxidermy.net, and subscribe to Breakthrough. Snoop around some, and see what may come of it.

One thing to keep in mind, there is a whole lot more to taxidermy than plastering a cape around a form and sewing it up. It takes a lot of dedication and diligence to get it right. I no longer have the time to dedicate myself to the art. Someday, when I retire from my day job, I'll take it back up, but I'll never be more than a hobbyist. Good luck to you.
Title: Re: Roger's Northwest School of Taxidermy
Post by: coriantonk on November 21, 2010, 08:23:45 PM: Thanks for the info. I think that I will pass on that Taxidermy school, too much drama for me.