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Taxidermy Correspondence Schools

Taxidermy is a profession that calls for both an artistic flair and an ability to handle dead animals with ease and care. A taxidermist's work is often called upon to preserve a hunter's prized catch. Other times, in the case of the most skilled tradesmen, museums of natural history may require a room full of high-quality, lifelike displays. Learning how to create a mount that mimics movement and has a flawless finish can net high profits with a relatively small investment. Correspondence schools are one way to enter the field.

  1. American Institute of Taxidermy

    • The American Institute of Taxidermy has been in business since 1975 and instructor Dennis D. Rinehart has completed more than 35,000 mounts in his 40-year career. Weekly courses begin each Saturday at 9 a.m. and are offered online. Classroom courses are offered as well. Students receive a certificate of course completion after providing photos of their class projects to the school. Classes include ones in mounting bass, coyotes, deer heads, pheasants, raccoons, squirrels, turkeys and making coyote rugs. Prices are per class and range from $95 to $295, as of 2010. Each course is 5 to 10 hours long and includes detailed notes and high-quality video demonstrations.

      American Institute of Taxidermy
      4552 Hwy. 51 North
      Boulder Junction, WI 54512
      715-385-9146
      800-853-9146
      americantaxidermy.com

    Old Heritage Taxidermy

    • The six-part online training program at Old Heritage Taxidermy covers how to choose, prepare, skin, preserve, mount and finish a bird. Course materials include more than 200 digital color photos and step-by-step manuals to guide students from organizing their work space to hanging their work on a wall. Thomas and Laurie Mitchell, the program's creators, have more than 35 years' experience. Taxidermy services and classes are available at the couple's Washington studio. Classes are 6 months long and cost $39.99 in 2010.

      Old Heritage Taxidermy
      16153 North Wenas Road
      Selah, WA 98942
      509-698-3823
      877-900-3824
      oldheritagetaxidermy.com

    World Class Outdoors

    • The taxidermy home-school course from World Class Outdoors teaches students how to care for an animal in the field before working with it, plus techniques for measuring, skinning, preparing, repairing, mounting, painting and finishing a project. Upon course completion, students are able to work with a variety of animals, including deer, ducks, fish and squirrels. A portion of the course will focus on taxidermy supplies and give tips for selecting quality, affordable materials for your work. Four courses of self-paced lessons are delivered via DVD, with professional studio-recorded instruction for $69.95 in 2010. The total class length is 4 1/2 hours.

      World Class Outdoors
      Bill Atkins
      901 Fox Wood
      Brandon, MS 39047
      800-238-1070
      learn-taxidermy.com

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