As for a specimen, look at the "For Sale" items on http://www.taxidermy.net or post something in the "Wanted" section.  Somebody will have something for you.  This is sad but true, there are scammers that are looking for newbie's and will be looking to take you for all they can.  I have a list a couple pages long of known scammers.  Just be careful who you are buying from.  Research their history of sales, or post a thread, "Has anyone dealt with (fill in the name) and how did it go.

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you has you start your taxidermy endeavors!  Ask your questions on here.  Somebody will most likely have the answer to help you out.

Repeating what D. Price said, Welcome to the forum.

Vic

You threw a lot out there so I’m going to refer you to the many articles here to start with. There are also great pages on the web like taxidermyinsider.com, taxidermyjournal.com, fleshingmachines.com

All of these pages have great how to articles and you can see the different tools everyone uses and go from there with what you think you will need.

If you have any specific questions about a tool someone here can help you with it.

Good luck in your new venture.

DP

and how can I get my first mount down I want to do one on my own to get practice well I bunch on my own before I start doing other people’s work how do I get started even though it’s not hunting season yet I want to start now

also I’m interested in butchering my own as well what would I need and does anyone have any tips on that 

I really hope someone can answer my questions I don’t know where else to look or who else to ask thank you so much 

Austin Stehling said
Welcome to the New Taxidermy Talk forums !

Taxidermy Talk forums is owned and operated by the AJ Stehling Company LLC, and powered by Stehling's Taxidermy LLC

The Forum Team Members are:

TaxidermyTalk Admin

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We hope you like our new design and layout !

Please feel free to pm us with your feedback.

If you were a member of the old forums, you should have received an email with a new password. Please use that password when you log in. You can keep using it or change it at anytime. We had to issue new passwords because we changed forum formats. You can also contact us if you need assistance with setting your new password. You can also register a new account, but you may have to use a different user name and email.

Please take a moment and check out some of the new features of the forum and website, including:

New & Improved For Sale Section
-No more posting bumping! New items for sale are automatically posted under older items
- All For Sale items expire after 10 days. This way the For Sale section stays clutter free and the older items are continuously moving towards the top of the forum !
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Featured Taxidermist of the Day
Everyday we will feature a member of Taxidermy Talks work on the home page, including their name and website. It will also be broadcast out on all of our social media. This is a great way to help promote your business !. Just post pictures of your mounts in the " Featured Taxidermist of the Day" forum and we will pick a new taxidermist to feature daily.

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Thank you for being a member and Enjoy the Forums!

Taxidermy Talk Team  

Well, I hope this is the appropriate site to ask. But first, I've got to tell you, I haven't done any taxidermy since I was a sophomore in high school. Yes, even in CA. We would wait for the girl that collected absent student lists. Tap on the glass to get her attention, then throw a piece of meat that would stick to the window. Ahh.... Good times. That was 44 years ago. Anyway, I am hoping to get advice regarding a small black bear simply skinned and I guess tanned. No skull. Hide is very stiff. It is laid out as a rug, however, no mold for the head. I am wanting to finish it so the ears are up and whatever else I am able, since it is so stiff and I have no clue. It is my son's first bear, so I want to doll it up a little. I know the first step will be to soften up the hide if that is possible. Small bear, and I will post a picture with dimensions if that is helpful. Hey....... Thanks for any help. My first post, so maybe the next one won't make my wrist so sore. 

Birdogron

I type up a response and try to post my comments and the site wont take the post.  The site just sits there.  The pointer is there but the finger pointer doesn't show up so I can submit.  I have to copy the post (or retype the post) and sometimes it will take, other times it still doesn't.  I don't think it the computer because this has happened multiple times on at least three different computers all with different internet connections.   

Maybe our site administrators could look into this for us!  Please!

Vic

  I’m getting dermestid beetles for a project, however, once I am done with the project, what should I do with them? Is it safe to put them in the woods or gardens outside (Vermont, USA) or are they considered invasive species? Should I try to sell them? 

   Thank you,

        Max

http://www.mckenziesp.com/4500.....13437.aspx

Good Luck!

Vic

My videos series covers body carving :

https://taxidermyinsider.com/f.....in-mounts/

Vic

I know the admins can fix this so Thank You in advance for taking care of this for me!

Vic

I made a few updates to the file upload system. Please try again at your convenience. Thanks, AJ