| As with any art, it takes a great deal of time, learning | | | | participate in a one-on-one workshop to develop your |
| and experience to become expert at taxidermy. The | | | | skills. |
| beginning taxidermist can be easily overwhelmed with | | | | The internet is another great resource for the |
| the amount of equipment, references and other | | | | taxidermist who is just starting out, as long as one |
| materials necessary before getting a real start. Just as | | | | realizes that YouTube videos and bulletin boards are |
| a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, | | | | no substitute for the more directed learning one might |
| the beginning taxidermist simply needs a good starting | | | | get from a school, a one-on-one workshop or an |
| point, and the rest will follow in due course. | | | | apprenticeship. If you're looking for a specific tip on a |
| A great place to start is with casual, self-directed | | | | new procedure, online videos and correspondence can |
| education by reading books and magazines on the | | | | often get you the answer you need. Along those |
| subject. Breakthrough Magazine offers interesting tips | | | | same lines, you can also find a huge amount of |
| and insights to the taxidermy world without being so | | | | instructional DVDs on taxidermy techniques. Again, |
| detailed that a beginner couldn't grasp the concepts. | | | | there's nothing like being there and seeing it done --or |
| Books are an individual choice; ask five taxidermists | | | | working on it yourself-- but a good, complete tutorial on |
| which book is the best to start an education with, and | | | | DVD can give you a good start and the confidence to |
| you might get ten answers. | | | | try it out on your own specimen. |
| Speaking to taxidermists is a good idea even if you're | | | | Above all, the beginning taxidermist needs to |
| not talking about books; while it's essential to | | | | understand that this is an art, and that few people |
| remember that taxidermy is a business and few | | | | have fully-developed artistic abilities out of the gate. |
| people will want to give too much of a hand up to their | | | | You have to work at it, and your first mounts will likely |
| future competitors, a conversation with an established | | | | not be very attractive. But with each new project, your |
| taxidermist could lead to advice on how best to | | | | skills should develop, and you won't be a beginning |
| continue your education. In some cases you might find | | | | taxidermist for long! |
| opportunities for apprenticeship, or the chance to | | | | |