Thank you! No doubt there are a lot in certain places, but we ain't got any compared to where I hunt in central and south Alabama. I like those counties where there are strutters in every pasture! Lol!
That’s awesome. After being a guy that learned on UA-cam, would you recommend learning from UA-cam or taking a few college courses or learning from a local taxidermist to start out? If you could do it over. Maybe a video on this would be good. I’d love to hear a detailed opinion.
I actually am very glad I learned on UA-cam. It would have been a lot easier getting started if someone could have taught me a few things on site, but the longer I have done it, the more I realize that most taxidermists retain the opinion on the taxidermist they learned from, and I do a lot of things that I have heard said "can't be done" or "they would never do". I had no money invested in learning, and with some extra capes, you can experiment with all kinds of repairs and methods that appeal to your strong points. I wish I had a lot of my own videos to go by when I learned, because some of the questions I had were unavailable or very hard to find without searching old taxidermy chat rooms. As far as my advice, personally I would pay a taxidermist who you feel does your preference of what a mount should look like and pay them to let you watch a few be put together. It will probably cost less than college, and you will probably change up a lot of things to taylor to your skill sets anyway. Important things are the basics. If you can get the fleshing, tanning, and anatomy all correct, repetition will make you better afterwards. I would definitely suggest trying one just watching UA-cam before you pay for anything. It's easier than most think, just takes some time and patience, and to me is a lot of fun too!
I used to use all McKenzie, but after using Ben's personal forms (not the ones from the McKenzie book) I will use his exclusively if the form matches what the customer wants in the correct size. It's hard to explain the difference, kinda like having a form custom made for a cape. They just have the perfect anatomy. The cape fits better in the right places
I’d be star struck meeting Ben!
That’s awesome man! I bet that was a real treat getting to experience that.
Yeah man it was awesome!
Where my tee shirt??? that's what's I'm taking about Dan!!!Another freaking great video....
We're about to make some. You'll be the first to know! Hahaha!
Ben is an absolute legend! Thanks for sharing your visit. Loved it!
So cool! I haven’t tried a mears yet but I’ve heard they’re the best
They are awesome man
Awesome vehicle, I have the same car. So now I know how many mannikins I can stuff in it lol.
We have loved that car! And I'm pretty sure I can get another 5 in there. Gonna try it next time. 😂
AWSOME VIDEO! Thank you for sharing. The next deer that I mount will be on one of Ben's forms.
I’m gonna have to beg to differ on the turkeys in north Alabama we are covered up with them in Hollywood keep up the great content!!
Thank you! No doubt there are a lot in certain places, but we ain't got any compared to where I hunt in central and south Alabama. I like those counties where there are strutters in every pasture! Lol!
Mears are the ultimate forms! cool video!
Thank you!
You ever use research manikins I work at the Jim allred supply in saluda affiliated with research. It be interesting to see you in our shop one day.
I never have
That’s awesome. After being a guy that learned on UA-cam, would you recommend learning from UA-cam or taking a few college courses or learning from a local taxidermist to start out? If you could do it over. Maybe a video on this would be good. I’d love to hear a detailed opinion.
I actually am very glad I learned on UA-cam. It would have been a lot easier getting started if someone could have taught me a few things on site, but the longer I have done it, the more I realize that most taxidermists retain the opinion on the taxidermist they learned from, and I do a lot of things that I have heard said "can't be done" or "they would never do". I had no money invested in learning, and with some extra capes, you can experiment with all kinds of repairs and methods that appeal to your strong points. I wish I had a lot of my own videos to go by when I learned, because some of the questions I had were unavailable or very hard to find without searching old taxidermy chat rooms. As far as my advice, personally I would pay a taxidermist who you feel does your preference of what a mount should look like and pay them to let you watch a few be put together. It will probably cost less than college, and you will probably change up a lot of things to taylor to your skill sets anyway. Important things are the basics. If you can get the fleshing, tanning, and anatomy all correct, repetition will make you better afterwards. I would definitely suggest trying one just watching UA-cam before you pay for anything. It's easier than most think, just takes some time and patience, and to me is a lot of fun too!
Do you use more of ben's forms or more of mckenzies? What's the biggest difference between them?
I used to use all McKenzie, but after using Ben's personal forms (not the ones from the McKenzie book) I will use his exclusively if the form matches what the customer wants in the correct size. It's hard to explain the difference, kinda like having a form custom made for a cape. They just have the perfect anatomy. The cape fits better in the right places