Taxidermy School

[gobblerfreak]

I have been considering trying to take some classes and was wondering if Ya'll could recommend a school?

I'm NOT looking to go into the buisness FULL TIME, mostly just do mounts for myself, friends and family, I would like to be able to do a few mounts for others as well but I'm not interested in trying to make a living at it, mostly just a hobby.

I have looked into classes at Dan Rinehart's school of Taxidermy in Wisconsin, but for the full 5 week course it runs a little under $4,000.00 if I remember correctly, granted I'm sure I could get a grant or some form of financial aid to help cover the cost.

Truthfully though, I think the Full 5 week course might be overkill for me since I'm mostly interested in learning to mount Turkeys, Deer, and other small game animals such as squirrels, coons, fox and coyotes. I really have no interest in messing with mounting Fish, Exotic game, or Upland Birds but I guess maybe learning Elk, Bears, and Waterfowl would come in handy someday.

Is it worth the money for me to go away to a school, if I don't plan on trying to make a FULL TIME living out of it? Are there any Schools in Indiana that teach taxidermy? Seems like everyone I find is in either Wisconsin or Pennsylvania, Iowa or farther, there is one I found in Michigan but its only 4 days a week and super expensive, like $1,200.00 a course or something. Is there such a thing as an apprenticeship anywhere where I can work with an existing Taxidermist and learn the trade from them?

I'm very interested and any info or suggestions anyone could offer would be appreciated. Thank You

[Decatur]

www.vandykestaxidermy.com/email.php

www.taxidermy-school.com/

www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php?topic=2141.msg184819;topicseen#msg184819

www.wpst-taxidermy-school.com/Taxidermy-School-Calendar.html

www.sdtaxidermyschool.com/

[hoosiertaxidermist]

Rinehart is a hack. Period. He is well known in the industry for turning out students that are well equiped to disappoint customers. Any where you go is probably going to be a minimum of 3-4 wks and when you get out, you are nowhere near ready to take on customer work. I went for 12 mos. and when I got out I still practiced for a couple years before taking on customer work. Cost for my training-just under 1500.00 for supplies and the school supplied specimens for free. Something to keep in mind is that a deer head is an elk head is a hog ect. Uplang gamebirds are all the same and waterfowl are all the same. It all boils down to anatomy and lots of study of live reference and photos. I have been doing customer work for almost 13 yrs. and in just the last 3-4 yrs have finally reached a respectable level of quality. There are a lot of hacks out thwere and once you get a little education you will begin to see what I mean. Nothing upsets me more than someone who takes a short course and then hangs out a shingle for their happy customers. Most of these hacks don't have a clue about anything. As a matter of fact , I had a guy send me a nice letter last week looking for a job. When I called him, he has only done a few mnts for himself and family and he was hoping to learn-and get paid. "I don't think so Tim". I'll tell you what I tell everyone that comes to me for "lessons". Call WASCO at 1-800-334-8012 and get one of their catalogs. Then Order the "Breakthrough" series of books-all of them. Probably cost you a couple hundred dollars. Read them then if you are still interested Call a local taxidermist or better yet go see them and tell them your intentions and see if they would be interested in being paid to teach you or at least help you a bit. Most of the good guys are more than willing to help with problem areas and when they see that you have put some effort forth they will be a little more open. Taxidermy is just like any skilled trade in that it takes years to get good, then just when you have reached the top, someone introduces a product or technique that revolutionizes everything and you start over at the botttom again. There are a few schools out there that are reputable, but most schools are run by people that couldn't succeed in a commercial environment. If you have any questions I would be glad to answer them . You can post them here , pm me or email through my site. Or you could call and set up an appointment and I would be glad to show you other materials that will help you on your learning journey. Good luck.

[Woody Williams]

Good spot on information, hoosiertaxidermist.

[LawrenceCoBowhunter]

I would like to get into taxidermy in the future.Seems like a rewarding job or hobby.