GENERAL TAXIDERMY
   
TIME: 120 Hours (3 weeks)
COMPLETED MOUNTS:  
1 Coyote/fox rug
1 Coyote/fox life-size
1 Badger/raccoon life-size
     Habitat construction
   

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES COST ESTIMATE:

$400.00 to $600.00
 

Students will be required to purchase the following: Coyote or fox for rugs and life-size; badger or raccoon for life-size and rugs; habitat materials, forms, eyes, ears etc. With prior approval, a student may be allowed to supply his/her own furs.
   

The general course is designed to teach all aspects of taxidermy not covered in the individual courses of study. The student will become proficient in the following areas:
HOME
FACILITY
INSTRUCTOR
CLASS SCHEDULE
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
COURSE OFFERINGS
SCHOOL POLICIES
 

A. SKIN PREP
    a. Skinning
    b. Fleshing
    c. Salting
    d. Types of incisions
    e. Tanning
       
B. FORMS
    a. Selection and type
    b. Sources
    c. Adjustments/alterations
    d. Measurements
       
C. RUGS
    a. Head mounting
    b. Sewing
    c. Stretching
    d. Lining
    e. Felting
    f. Sewing
       
D. HORNS PLAQUES AND SKULL BLEACHING
       
E. CASTING AND MOLDING (BASIC)
   
F. RESTORATIONS
       
G. LIFE SIZE MOUNTS
    a. Skinning
    b. Forms
    c. Posing
    d. Mounting
       
H. HABITAT
    a. Life size
    b. Fish
    c. Birds
    d. General
       
I. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
       
J. RULES AND REGULATIONS
       
K. CATALOGS AND SUPPLIES
       
L. PACKING AND SHIPPING
       

This course is designed to cover all areas of taxidermy that are necessary to insure a successful business. After completion of the course the student will be in a position to offer his/her services as an all around, complete taxidermist and will be in a position to develop a commercial taxidermist business. The course is complete in itself except for the general courses of head mounting, birds and fish, which are offered separately. This is a must course for anyone who is interested in building a commercial future in taxidermy.