Many students have specimens
available to them, either from their own hunting and
fishing trips, or items given to them by family or
friends. Normally, however, students have to buy some
or all of the specimens they intend to bring to
class. We always help to find the cheapest price
available on the item that a student wants to purchase,
whether it is a whitetailed deer or an African gemsbuck.
Fish or bird, we will help you find what you want.
Housing
Options
There are several housing options available to students
who attend our tanning or taxidermy school. Many
students prefer to bring their own camper or RV and rent
a spot at the hookups here in town. There are also
houses to rent, as well as a motel, cabins, and
apartments which are popular housing choices for our
students. We will help you find the housing you prefer,
usually the cost ranges from $175 to $600 per month
depending on which option you choose.
At this time there
are currently no new tanning or taxidermy classes scheduled.
Below, you will see that we offer both one month as well as two month taxidermy
courses. Check out the
information below to see which course fits you best.
One Month Taxidermy Course
Curriculum
Our one month course works well
for those who cannot find the time to
attend the longer two month class. In this class, we provide all the specimens and materials you
will need,
including capes, skins, horns, forms, and all other materials!
In
addition to completing 8 mounts in the 22 to 23 day class, you
will also
learn about the business aspects of taxidermy and how to make
knowledgeable
decisions for your business. Everything that is covered in
the two month
course will be discussed in the one month course but not as in
depth due
to the shorter class length.
You will complete:
Two Birds
Two Fish
Two Gameheads
One Lifesize
One Horns On Panel
This course teaches
you the important basics of taxidermy that you need to own your
own business. This class is a great deal, and we provide
all specimens and materials, all the mounts are yours to keep.
We help you find the housing you prefer also.
Call now to book your spot!
Cost is only $3,750.00!
Punching Hides
Two Month Taxidermy
Course
SOMETHING NOT OFFERED ANYWHERE ELSE!
As a class project, during our two month course, we will
provide and mount one African piece. At the end of the
class there is a drawing to see who gets to take the
mount home!
Students receive, as part of the class, a tool
kit worth over $350.00!
Students will mount:
3 Birds
4 Fish
3 Gameheads
2 Lifesize
1 Rug (Which We Provide!)
2 Horn Plaques
1 Skull
Students are encouraged to bring
more specimens as we will mount as many as time permits.
Birds:
The student is required to mount three
birds, more can be mounted if time permits and the
student wishes to do so:
1 Upland bird
1 Waterfowl
1 Flying bird (of your choice)
*One bird must be mounted on an artificial base.
You will learn:
Specimen handling, tagging, care,
and storage.
Measurements and patterns
Anatomy and reference
Skinning, fleshing, washing,
degreasing, and
tumbling
Dealing with imported bird skins
Making forms
Buying complete bird mounting
systems
Artificial bird heads and using
the real bird head
Mounting and drying
Hiding support wires
Special specimens
Base work and building
Finish work
Glass cases and tables
Crating and shipping
Laws and regulations
Show and display design
Fish:
The student is
required to mount four fish:
1 Cold water
(trout, etc.)
1 Warm water
(bass, walleye, perch, etc.)
1 Fish (of your
choice) to be done on a pedestal mount with 360
degree viewing, and full habitat
1 Reproduction
(of your choice)
You will learn:
Specimen
handling care and storage
Anatomy and
reference
Creating paint
patterns
Measurement and
pattern making
Making forms
Using artificial
heads
Using real heads
Mounting, fin
carding, and drying
Support wiring
Making a fish
cut out for paint practice
Setting eyes and
understanding eye rotation
Fin and scale
repair
Painting and
glossing
Base work and
building
Glass cases and
tables
Crating and
shipping
Laws and
regulations
Show and display
design
Small & Big Game
Mammal:
The student will be
required to mount:
3 Gameheads of your choice (deer,
elk, moose, antelope, caribou, sheep, etc.)
1 Small lifesize of your choice
(squirrel, raccoon, mink, martin, coyote, bobcat,
fox, etc.)
1 Large lifesize of your choice
(bear, wolf, cougar, deer, goat, etc.)
You will learn:
Skinning
Measuring
Prepping & Salting
Hide shaving techniques
Tanning with:
(a) Lutan F
(b) Synthetics (Paratan, EZ100, etc.)
(c) Paint-on tans
(d) One-step tans
(e) Pressure (benefits & downfalls)
Anatomy and reference
Making a death mask
Form selection
Form alterations
Sculpting & making forms
Proper hide fitting techniques
Setting eyes the right way
Different ear methods
Open mouth work
Using artificial parts (noses,
etc.)
Base work and building
Finish work
Crating and shipping
Laws and regulations
Show and display design
Rug Making:
The student will do:
1 Rug. (Which we will provide!
This includes
materials!)
You will learn:
Mounting closed and open mouth
Stretching
Trimming
Dyeing
Applying padding and felt
Boxing and shipping
Horn Plaque:
The student will do:
2 Horn plaques of your choice,
(deer, elk, antelope, caribou, etc.) using two
different methods
Specimen
Costs
Taxidermy Courses
