Brad6639 Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Ive decided to go ahead and open up a taxidermy studio at my parents house and get started doing it part time. Id like to go full time at some point down the road but I currently work for the state and cant afford to leave that steady income just yet. I have a 12x18 foot shed Ill be working out of as soon as I get it finished off inside and get it setup with my work bench that Im getting this weekend. My question is how does one get started doing this. Ive been watching taxidermy videos on www.taxidermytube.com (Dan Rinehardt) and others on youtube. Id like to go to some classes but it isnt an option due to my regular day job so this is what I have to work with. My plans are to do fish, deer heads and birds as well as european mounts and other specialty work, bascially some day being a full fledged shop. Is there any suggestions on how a shop should be set up to maximise the available space, and any tools that are must haves and then the nice to have but not a have to have. Im totally new to this but Im really excited so far. Ive been writing down all my purchases so I can account for them later. Ive checked into getting a taxidermy liscense and I have the paper work for the state in progress. Any help or suggestions would be awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWTaxidermy Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Advice: Taxidermytube is a waste of your money. Rhinehart is not the best to follow. Seek other Instructor for learning taxidermy. Keep your full time job if you like a steady pay. No shed will be big enough for PT/FT. You will never have too many tools for Taxidermy. If you plan to make a living at Taxidermy think again. Suggestions: Save your money for good schooling. Practice on your mounts not your customers. Bigger shop is better, room is always limited. Never give up at PT because FT does not PAY! Spend your earnings wisely. Always be thinking ahead. Just a few things I can come up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTF Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 You need to mount a few dozen animals and fish and then have them critiqued, before even even think about doing business with the public. I highly recommend you go to a taxidermy school and also get some business training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasksheds Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 I do strictly European Mounts or antler plaque mounts for friends & family. I spent a few years perfecting it on my own animals. I have had friends try it full time & part time that did very good work but couldnt make it work. Good luck & dont ever give up your dreams & dont ever let any one tell you that you cant do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntaholic1 Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 good point about practicing on your own not your customers. A mount is something you want to be proud of for many many years. I know personally I look at my mounts everyday, and wouldn't be happy if there was one that was poorly done. Sounds like you got the drive, I'd say that's the first step in the right direction. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambo Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 I am not a taxidermist but I do bring in about 2 to 4 critters a year to have mounted. As a paying customer I want my trophys done by a trained taxidermy. Taxidermy costs are expensive and I want the best for my money. I always like to see an example or five of their work. As a customer my advice is to get the best training you can however you can work it out and to have plenty of examples to show prospective customers. Knowledege and experiance will always make you the best you can be. You have been given great advice above, learn your craft from the best education you can find. You already have the heart and drive. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailtrax Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 All good suggestions and advice above. One route that might serve you well is to look into an apprenticeship. Start out by visiting your local taxidermy shops and let them know you have a strong desire to pursue taxidermy on a part time basis now and to make a living at it down the road. See if they will let you come in evenings and weekends to help flesh out capes, or do some basic skinning, skull cleaning, things like that. They have all the tools, space and the specimens for you to get started learning the trade. As you get better, they might increase your responsibilities and workload to include some more glamerous duties. You could volunteer this time or ask for a small compensation (minimum wage). Whoever you approach with this idea might require that you take a class or classes - be prepared to do this if you are serious. I wish you all the best!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowJoe Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 I don't do taxidermy or have any experience with it but the first thing i would do is talk to all the local shops and ask them if they would teach you or let you learn as you work in the their shop. Then I would see about taking a class that is a week or two long during your vacation time. It'd have to be in either the Spring or early Summer as that would likely be their busy time of the year. I had a buddy who's still green at doing this but he used to pick up roadkill specimens that were in good shape and practice on them. Surely you can find a coon or two on the weekend and go from there. From what I've heard, the hardest specimens are the birds and the small critters. Meticulous. Good luck and I hope above all, you have fun with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad6639 Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Im glad I wasnt the first person to think it, I plan on picking up any roadkill buck I find and getting a tag for it, as long as the horns are good I can send them out with my display mounts at local hardware stores, sporting goods stores etc. If the capes in good shape I have a free practice head mount to be displayed and then if the cape is ruined but the skull or horns are good I can do european mounts or horn mounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymulti Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Follow your dreams! Work hard! Never quit! Take risks! You can do what ever you set out to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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