The job of a taxidermist is a competitive one, incorporating such skills as molding, casting, tanning, drawing, sculpture and painting in order to permanently display mounted animals in museums, restaurants, homes, businesses and educational institutions. By following this how-to guide, you too can become a licensed and skilled taxidermist, bringing animal's 'back to life' using a rare, artistic form.

• Do you love to study animals in their natural environment; examine their form and beauty as they move across the landscape? Do you find yourself wondering what it would be like to show others what these animals look like in the wild? Do you enjoy working with your hands to create finished projects? Then check out whether taxidermy would be of interest to you.

Look up job ads for taxidermy and taxidermists in your area. Visit local taxidermy businesses and talk to them about opportunities and apprenticeships if that interests you. That may help you find out what the demand for taxidermists is in your area.

Museums that have taxidermy exhibits can give you an idea of the finished work. Ask about any lectures or tours that may explain the taxidermy further. Check for any national, regional or local taxidermy associations or groups to see whether they have any workshops, conferences, meetings, or tours that you can attend in your area or request further career information from them. Often websites of professional associations will post some career information for prospective students wanting to enter the field. Some also post job ads and opportunities in the field.

Taxidermy seems to require good manual dexterity and coordination when you sew, cut, repair, paint in the work. Consider whether you can find a shorter opportunity to test out how you do with the work even if it means to volunteer. That may save you tuition for an entire program if you find that such working with your hands is not for you. Once you try it out that may also help you decide whether you would want a hands-on apprenticeship or a classroom situation or both.

(Creative Commons photo by Svadilfari)

• Taxidermists construct three-dimensional mounts of animals, often by using the animal's natural skin to place over an artificial body, arranging it to look lifelike. These are intended for permanent display, and are often purchased by museums or recreational hunters that like to have mementos to mount on their walls. A taxidermist may possess the following skills:

• 1. Tanning
  2. Molding
  3. Carpentry
  4. Casting
  5. Scultpure
  6. Drawing
  7. Painting

• Taxidermists do not always perform their craft using natural animal skins, skeletons and feathers. They often reconstruct the animal using only man made materials, often using a photograph of the specific animal as a guideline.

• The best way to determine if becoming a taxidermist is the right career for you to pursue is by educating yourself in the art of taxidermy. This can be achieved in the following ways:

Reading is a great way to give yourself a broad knowledge of taxidermy. There are many books that are instruction manuals, illustrating how to specifically mount the animals and covering all other procedures that are necessary for both the use of natural animal skin and man made. There are also magazines and periodicals available that detail new methods and tools used in the field. What you must keep in mind, however, is that reading about something never gives you the entire picture, so it is important to learn all you can in conjunction with other tools such as attending taxidermy school and conventions.

• Attending a Taxidermy school is a great way to get hands-on experience in all aspects of the craft. The training includes both lab and classroom work and usually lasts between six weeks to several semesters, depending on the school. Choosing the right school is very important, so consider the following:

• 1. Does it have good teachers? A good teacher will teach you the basics while challenging your problem-solving skills and helping to instill confidence.
  2. Can you take your projects home with you? It is vital for beginning taxidermists to have work samples to show potential customers, so make sure the school allows you to take all your projects and mounts with you when you leave.
  3. How long has it been in operation? The longer the school has been in operation, the better the quality of education. An established school is more apt to have a relationship with the state school regulation board, who will in turn expect them to meet higher standards.

• Workshops usually last a few days, consisting of training sessions with world renowned taxidermists who provide one-on-one training. While anyone is able to attend these workshops, they are usually available for those who already have experience and are trying to expand their knowledge in a specific area.

Conventions are another excellent way to gain knowledge. Like workshops, they usually last a few days, appealing to beginners as well as the more experienced and skilled. These conventions are a great way to meet new contacts and learn specific techniques from fellow taxidermists.

• Becoming an apprentice is another great way to learn about taxidermy. Making contacts in the industry is the best way to find an apprenticeship, so attending a school or going to conventions are both excellent ways to find professionals in the field that are willing to give you the opportunity to work alongside them.

• Although every state has different laws and regulations, most states require you obtain a license in order to be paid for your taxidermy work. This license usually applies to all forms of wildlife, with the exception of certain birds which fall under federal jurisdiction. In order to perform taxidermy on specified birds, you must obtain a federal permit . All permits and licenses are issued through the state and federal Fish and Wildlife Service. Most state licenses are relatively inexpensive, some costing as little as $6.50 a year.

• The field of taxidermy is a competitive one, but for those seeking employment in the United States or Africa there are more options due to the popularity of large game hunting. Here are some places that employ taxidermists:

• 1. Museums
  2. Private institutions
  3. Commercial taxidermy firms
  4. Large companies seeking those skilled in tanning, skinning and model making
• Another popular option is to start your own business. This often involves working out of your home in a designated workshop area, or may involve opening a taxidermist shop.

• Embarking on a career as a taxidermist can be an exciting job that allows you to utilize an assortment of skills. Through hard work and determination, you will be able to gain new insights into the art of creating lifelike animals that will live on in homes and museums across the globe.

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• Introduction
• Step 1: What is a Taxidermist?
• Step 2: Education
• Step 3: Obtain a License
• Step 4: Find a Job
• Conclusion