Interested in Learning Taxidermy?

Whether your are interested in big game taxidermy as a hobby or if your wanting to gain the confidence to do it for a living. Backwoods Whitetails Head Taxidermist can teach you what you need know to get you started in the business. If your pressed for time or cannot take time off work to attend a school full time. For your convenience we can teach you in the evening hours after you get off work or just on the weekend. Within a short time you can gain the knowledge, confidence and the skills necessary to succeed as a taxidermist. Each student will mount a whitetail shoulder mount from start to finish. Students are required to obtain their own specimens and will be responsible for purchasing all mounting materials and tanning supplies. Each student is taught on a one on one basis and will receive 100% full attention.

For full details, additional questions or to schedule a class. Please call Brett at 309-224-2853 or send us an email at                             Info@backwoodswhitetails.com

Step Two Student will tan their hide with the use of a pressure tanner. Once hide is tanned the student will then learn to use the Dakota Flesher to prepare hide for final tanning prior to mounting the specimen. Once second tanning is complete. The student will then take final measurements (order their form) and learn how to apply those measurements when ordering forms.

Step Three Student will learn how to and complete any necessary repair work to tanned hide prior to mounting their specimen. Student will learn the ear finishing process. Student will be shown the several different methods used (both commercial and competition) to complete the ears.

Step Four Student will learn proper form preparation, learn how to set eyes and then set their antlers in the form. Student will then mount their specimen and learn all the different techniques used to tuck lips and eyes. Student will learn how to pin and card their mount for the drying period.

What's Next? Student will then allow specimen to dry for ten days. During the drying period, student can inquire about the different styles and techniques used in taxidermy and for mounting whitetails shoulder mounts, antler mounts,etc. At the end of the ten day drying period, the student will learn how to and perform the techniques of final finishing work. Student will learn epoxy repair, airbrushing work and then the final touches to bring their mount back to life.

Step One
Student will learn how to take the proper measurements and then skin out their specimen.
Student will then be show how to Initially flesh the hide, turn the eye's, turn the nostrils, turn
the ears and lips in preparation for tanning.

Cost of Class - $800.00 per student

Cost of materials used for mounts vary and are based individually on the students
choice of brand and style of form, ear liners and eyes. Cost of all materials can range
from approximately $75.00 to $150.00 per mount. All Student hides will be pressure
tanned to avoid the long waiting periods incurred with other basic tanning techniques!