Resources to learn taxidermy

[Bearkat]

My 16 old son wants to learn taxidermy. His thought is if he started now that by the time he goes to college he might be good enough he could make money to help pay for his education. He has been doing euro mounts for some time now. I was wondering if anybody know of any books or videos that might get him going. Here is a euro he did last year for my dad for Christmas.

[whitetailslayer]

http://www.mckenziesp.com/DVD270-P18430.aspx

Pretty much takes you from A to Z mounting a whitetail. Very informative.

[ttubudd]

Might be worth contacting local taxidermists. Maybe he could apprentice under a taxidermist. Can't imagine there would be any experience better than that, assuming that the taxidermist is a good one.

[NorthTexan99]

I am 16 and i would like to learn too, i know how to mount turkeys but would like to learn more

[WildThings]

https://www.taxidermy.net

Use the search button in the old and new forums - wealth of info there.

Wish y'all were closer - I'd help him out

[BO-N-ARO]

All of the big taxidermy supply companies have "how to" videos. Contact a local shop and see if they would help train him. Swap time for time. There are training classes that he could attend, but they are not cheap. Some are institutes some are individuals.
I would recommend that he join the Texas Taxidermy Association and he will have plenty of contacts. Plan on attending the annual convention and go to the training seminars that would interest him. Have him hang around the competition room and talk to as many taxidermist that he can. Listen to the conversations between the taxidermist and the judges.
There are a couple of taxidermy magazines that are full of how to articles. Outlook and Taxidermy Today.
If you were close to Plano he could hang out in my shop....
Hope it works out for him.

[TXraiderTK]

hey that euro looks sharp, nice work

[npe001]

I would ask a local Taxi and see if he can do a internship type deal on his days off. Might be better than reading a book

[PondPopper]

All of the big taxidermy supply companies have "how to" videos. Contact a local shop and see if they would help train him. Swap time for time. There are training classes that he could attend, but they are not cheap. Some are institutes some are individuals.
I would recommend that he join the Texas Taxidermy Association and he will have plenty of contacts. Plan on attending the annual convention and go to the training seminars that would interest him. Have him hang around the competition room and talk to as many taxidermist that he can. Listen to the conversations between the taxidermist and the judges.
There are a couple of taxidermy magazines that are full of how to articles. Outlook and Taxidermy Today.
If you were close to Plano he could hang out in my shop....
Hope it works out for him.

Yep. All of this ^^^^^ & There are plenty of very talented taxidermists in our association that are more than willing to help ANYONE learn the art and learn it the right way.
FYI Our convention is in Lubbock next year...

[PondPopper]

I will also add that he subscribe "Breakthrough" magazine and "Taxidermy Today" magazine.
I've been a subscriber for years. There is a HUGE amount one can learn from these magazines..

[RMAD]

Should spend the money and send him to Taxidermy school during break from school. Save mounts this season and then you would have your own personal Taxidermist. I wish I would have done that when I was in high school. I know a few Taxidermist and they all do good even with two of them in a town with a population of about 300.

[White Falcon]

North Western School Of Taxidermy! That is where I learned. That was 50+ years ago. I still have most of my books.

[Bearkat]

Thanks for all the info. Looking into all of it.

[PondPopper]

Should spend the money and send him to Taxidermy school during break from school. Save mounts this season and then you would have your own personal Taxidermist. I wish I would have done that when I was in high school. I know a few Taxidermist and they all do good even with two of them in a town with a population of about 300.

Far the most part this(school)is a total waste of money. They teach them very little and charge a bunch of money.
The best thing to do is find a GOOD taxidermist, who is ABLE to teach, and pay him or her for private lessons. Species specific and usually a different teacher for each(birds,fish,game heads) One on one....You will be leaps and bounds ahead of any one coming out of a school......