My husband suggested I get into taxidermy as a side hustle. Im a stay at home mom, hunter, substitute teacher and now I guess taxidermist. I went to deer only school which was very helpful and informative. The hubby and I did a little work on an existing shed we have and spent the money on taxidermy tools and supplies. So so far I have done 1 deer a 300lb hog and im on my 3rd racoon. Thank you for your racoon videos btw. Couldn't have done it without ya.
I did taxidermy for years (my younger ones), and made some money doing it. Got my diploma through Northwestern school of taxidermy which provided the books and learning materials I needed. In conjunction with that I had a mentor I worked for while learning the art. It's truly an art. The one thing I would mention to people wanting to get into the trade is to realize, it is not as easy as a lot of people might think. Each piece takes a lot of work to turn out good quality work for your customers. Great video.
Thank you and I agree completely with you. It is a art and not everybody has that. And everybody thinks taxidermist make a lot of money. Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts.
I have been getting into taxidermy I have a couple friends that have harvested some deers and they normally wouldn’t mount them but I been doing the labor for free and they buy the stuff to do it I can’t afford the school I have watched a lot of your videos and a couple other peoples videos thanks for all the post
Friends deer heads are good start. Videos will help but learning from someone in person is the best way to go. You will have questions the videos cant show or answer. Which state you live in?
I'm keeping birds and animals for years, now I want to learn texidermy as a hobby and make my dead bird save for long time. unfortunately, here is no any school or teacher where i can learn.
Very informative! I was basically raised in paleontology - I've been out for several field seasons and my dad opened a small museum - and I know it might seem different at a glance but I'm seeing a lot of parallels between paleontology science and taxidermy art! One difference, though, is that in paleo you can only learn so much from school. Unless you're never going to leave academics, the only way to really learn fossil work is IN the field, learning AS you're doing it. In the video you talked about mentors but not quite as much as you talked about school. Can taxidermy art be learned through a patient mentor? Arguably the most important job in paleontology is fossil preparation, and that can only really be learned through mentors!
I learned about Paleontology years back finding shark teeth such as Megalodon and such. Down home in Charleston S.C. Yes you learn from mentors but some don't want to share. Scared your going to take business from them. School is good learning but hands on and time is the best lesson after school or mentor. Thanks for watching friend
Sound advice. My neighbor (Rick Ledford) has been a taxidermist for over 40 years. He's good. He showed me the other day how much supplies have went way way up. I'm look forward to seeing the mounts. We need to hook up for a squirrel dog hunt this year around December.👍👍
Thats why im kind of glad I started the way I did, I started slow as you, I went with small animals first (personal things). I went with fish and birds my first few years (gifted and fished myself along with eating the fresh fish!) With small mammals as such it was small pay investment to get the few tools and made my own bird flesher which costed 90% cheaper than commercial fleshers. Im one of those taxidermists of if I cant afford it but I need it, Ill make it till I can afford it LOL. Anyway, I started off slow and was able to afford a 17in throat depth band saw so I can do even bigger fish. Now 5 years later Im comfortable where Im at with fish and birds, I know how to make it look good and started getting clients slowly (cuz you can say no!) and now Im branching off into mounting small mammal from a chipmunk to raccoon sized animals only due to the new aspect of tanning. Now ive just got to wait a few years to get good and fast with processing and mounting those and then I can add those to my roster of things im willing to do! Its defiantly a trade where if you have it you have it, if not youll struggle trying to get it, though I do emplore those who tried!
Good deal and actually I have seen your videos on the fish. Yes I am building a tumbler for pelts and way cheaper. Keep it up and glad to see you wanting to grow with small mammals. I got videos on that and you can reach out to me if needed. Thanks buddy.
I have yet to build one of those LOL Thanks for checking out my vid! Its a tad out dated but it gets the point across XD I just did a raccoon using the cave man method by wrapping the body and boy was that a hoot! Went well other than I made the body just a bit too big, but we will see when I tan the hide, Ill be sure to reach out if Ive got a few questions! Your vids are pretty on point and almost always answer everything Im confused about, keep up the great work!@@carolinabushwacker
Thanks for this video Brian. The one comment you made thats accelerating my drive/interest is the fact that its a dying trade. I live in the Ozarks where counties accomodate school closings for opening day. Do you happen to have an email or alternate way of direct communication for q&a's? I'd like to pick your brain if you know what I mean. Thank you, Will If possible, is there a way we can
Go check out the created play list for the taxidermy. If you been watching them already then keep following because I got plenty to come. Thanks for watching.
Very helpful video Brian, I am going to school in January to become a taxidermist. With 20 years of fine arts and sculptural experience hope I get to stay in the business. You mentioned to get a mentor, I live in a small town in Canada there is only one taxidermist here, I hesitate to reach out to him because he could see me as a competition, I knew from others in town that he is very busy and couldn’t get work done on time so maybe I’m not going to effect his business as a newbie. Could you recommend a good way to approach this? Other suggestions welcome!
Totally get where you are coming from. My mentor was a former taxidermist I used before school. He found out I was doing taxidermy and reached out to me. He asked why I didn't tell him and I said I didn't wont you to be mad. He isn't and guides me when needed. There is plenty of work out there but takes time to build. I would try to reach out and see how it goes. He is like most overloaded. Also there are taxidermy associations out there. Good luck with everything. It will be fine.
Very true. Went to Joe Meder in Iowa. Money well spent. Learned a ton of great stuff about deer. Came back and the business never picked up more than 10 to 12 a year. Taxes are another pain. Ran without a license on occasion. After about 15 years I had enough. It's tough to draw business from the big local big hitters. Another thing that is important is to have some sort of business education.
I hate to hear that but thanks for telling the truth. It is a tough line of work to get in. I hope to make it myself but have business strategies that are panning but only time will tell. Thanks friend
Hard to say really because what are they teaching in a week? Might be as much as what you get at a 3 week coarse. Me personally I wouldn't want to feel rushed and not take in everthing. It's a lot to remember. Probably already tanned capes just showing you how to mount and finish maybe.
My husband suggested I get into taxidermy as a side hustle. Im a stay at home mom, hunter, substitute teacher and now I guess taxidermist. I went to deer only school which was very helpful and informative. The hubby and I did a little work on an existing shed we have and spent the money on taxidermy tools and supplies. So so far I have done 1 deer a 300lb hog and im on my 3rd racoon. Thank you for your racoon videos btw. Couldn't have done it without ya.
That is so awesome and thank you! Where did you go to school. I went in Georgia?
I did taxidermy for years (my younger ones), and made some money doing it. Got my diploma through Northwestern school of taxidermy which provided the books and learning materials I needed. In conjunction with that I had a mentor I worked for while learning the art. It's truly an art. The one thing I would mention to people wanting to get into the trade is to realize, it is not as easy as a lot of people might think. Each piece takes a lot of work to turn out good quality work for your customers. Great video.
Thank you and I agree completely with you. It is a art and not everybody has that. And everybody thinks taxidermist make a lot of money. Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts.
I have been getting into taxidermy I have a couple friends that have harvested some deers and they normally wouldn’t mount them but I been doing the labor for free and they buy the stuff to do it I can’t afford the school I have watched a lot of your videos and a couple other peoples videos thanks for all the post
Friends deer heads are good start. Videos will help but learning from someone in person is the best way to go. You will have questions the videos cant show or answer. Which state you live in?
I'm keeping birds and animals for years, now I want to learn texidermy as a hobby and make my dead bird save for long time. unfortunately, here is no any school or teacher where i can learn.
Birds are tricky to start learning but there are video's on youtube for birds like ducks you could watch
Very informative! I was basically raised in paleontology - I've been out for several field seasons and my dad opened a small museum - and I know it might seem different at a glance but I'm seeing a lot of parallels between paleontology science and taxidermy art! One difference, though, is that in paleo you can only learn so much from school. Unless you're never going to leave academics, the only way to really learn fossil work is IN the field, learning AS you're doing it. In the video you talked about mentors but not quite as much as you talked about school. Can taxidermy art be learned through a patient mentor? Arguably the most important job in paleontology is fossil preparation, and that can only really be learned through mentors!
I learned about Paleontology years back finding shark teeth such as Megalodon and such. Down home in Charleston S.C. Yes you learn from mentors but some don't want to share. Scared your going to take business from them. School is good learning but hands on and time is the best lesson after school or mentor. Thanks for watching friend
Sound advice. My neighbor (Rick Ledford) has been a taxidermist for over 40 years. He's good. He showed me the other day how much supplies have went way way up. I'm look forward to seeing the mounts. We need to hook up for a squirrel dog hunt this year around December.👍👍
Yes Everything Is going up With Everything. I'm going after some more fox squirrels this coming season. We can plan something
I have been doing taxidermy as a hobby for a while and hope to make it a job. This video is incredibly insightful!
Thanks and you can with a good plan. Keep doing what your doing and I hope good things to come. I'm here if I can help.
Awesome advice my friend! I'm already tanning and have always thought about trying taxidermy! Thank you for sharing!!
I have a feeling you would be good at it. You are going about it the right way. Learning to skin, flesh and tan. Built shop ect. Thanks Mark
@@carolinabushwacker Thank you my friend!
Thats why im kind of glad I started the way I did, I started slow as you, I went with small animals first (personal things). I went with fish and birds my first few years (gifted and fished myself along with eating the fresh fish!) With small mammals as such it was small pay investment to get the few tools and made my own bird flesher which costed 90% cheaper than commercial fleshers. Im one of those taxidermists of if I cant afford it but I need it, Ill make it till I can afford it LOL. Anyway, I started off slow and was able to afford a 17in throat depth band saw so I can do even bigger fish. Now 5 years later Im comfortable where Im at with fish and birds, I know how to make it look good and started getting clients slowly (cuz you can say no!) and now Im branching off into mounting small mammal from a chipmunk to raccoon sized animals only due to the new aspect of tanning. Now ive just got to wait a few years to get good and fast with processing and mounting those and then I can add those to my roster of things im willing to do! Its defiantly a trade where if you have it you have it, if not youll struggle trying to get it, though I do emplore those who tried!
Good deal and actually I have seen your videos on the fish. Yes I am building a tumbler for pelts and way cheaper. Keep it up and glad to see you wanting to grow with small mammals. I got videos on that and you can reach out to me if needed. Thanks buddy.
I have yet to build one of those LOL Thanks for checking out my vid! Its a tad out dated but it gets the point across XD I just did a raccoon using the cave man method by wrapping the body and boy was that a hoot! Went well other than I made the body just a bit too big, but we will see when I tan the hide, Ill be sure to reach out if Ive got a few questions! Your vids are pretty on point and almost always answer everything Im confused about, keep up the great work!@@carolinabushwacker
Love being a taxidermist
Thanks for this video Brian. The one comment you made thats accelerating my drive/interest is the fact that its a dying trade. I live in the Ozarks where counties accomodate school closings for opening day.
Do you happen to have an email or alternate way of direct communication for q&a's? I'd like to pick your brain if you know what I mean.
Thank you,
Will
If possible, is there a way we can
Thanks for watching and reaching out. You can find me of Facebook under Carolina Bushwacker Taxidermy. I will be happy to message with as I can.
Is it possible for more how to … taxidermy? Different animals and tips and tricks
Go check out the created play list for the taxidermy. If you been watching them already then keep following because I got plenty to come. Thanks for watching.
Very helpful video Brian, I am going to school in January to become a taxidermist. With 20 years of fine arts and sculptural experience hope I get to stay in the business. You mentioned to get a mentor, I live in a small town in Canada there is only one taxidermist here, I hesitate to reach out to him because he could see me as a competition, I knew from others in town that he is very busy and couldn’t get work done on time so maybe I’m not going to effect his business as a newbie. Could you recommend a good way to approach this? Other suggestions welcome!
Totally get where you are coming from. My mentor was a former taxidermist I used before school. He found out I was doing taxidermy and reached out to me. He asked why I didn't tell him and I said I didn't wont you to be mad. He isn't and guides me when needed. There is plenty of work out there but takes time to build. I would try to reach out and see how it goes. He is like most overloaded. Also there are taxidermy associations out there. Good luck with everything. It will be fine.
Very true. Went to Joe Meder in Iowa. Money well spent. Learned a ton of great stuff about deer. Came back and the business never picked up more than 10 to 12 a year. Taxes are another pain. Ran without a license on occasion. After about 15 years I had enough. It's tough to draw business from the big local big hitters. Another thing that is important is to have some sort of business education.
I hate to hear that but thanks for telling the truth. It is a tough line of work to get in. I hope to make it myself but have business strategies that are panning but only time will tell. Thanks friend
No kidding UA-cam it’s the best of the best!!!!!
I learned more on hands in my shop then in school....taxadermy ain't hard
Hey can you mount my buck from Virginia
Hey
Looks like a shed he's in
So I found a week-long course taxidermy school for $2700 is that a lot for just a week or should I find a longer course
Hard to say really because what are they teaching in a week? Might be as much as what you get at a 3 week coarse. Me personally I wouldn't want to feel rushed and not take in everthing. It's a lot to remember. Probably already tanned capes just showing you how to mount and finish maybe.
@@carolinabushwacker i think it is, its a one on one class just u and the mentor
@@quackinandrackinoutdoors7778 Thats what I did one on one.
@@carolinabushwacker okay awesome thank you so much
@@quackinandrackinoutdoors7778 your welcome friend
can you adopt me.. X3
LOL Maybe