CENTRAL MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF TAXIDERMY

If you have been waiting to begin a career in taxidermy? Now is the time! It is the golden age right now post pandemic. Have you tried to bring something into a taxidermist lately? Wait times are now running 12 -18 months and a lot of taxidermists are not doing fish anymore because of the workload of other specimens. Prices are also reflecting workloads, they are steadily on the increase to stem the flow and volume of work coming through the door. In my opinion the pandemic we just went through has meant a lot of folks were tired of being pent up inside and so decided to spend it outdoors hunting and fishing and taxidermist are reaping the benefits right now. At our studio we are getting $850 a deer head and $800 a walleye and everything else is heading up as well. If you are interested in learning the art of Taxidermy, we can help you reach your goal! Whether you just want to do it for friends and family or open a full-fledged taxidermy studio!  We have been teaching for the past 20 years and some of our students have the busiest studios in the central MN area after they completed training in our taxidermy school.

We will teach you the methods of taxidermy on the following specimens Whitetail Deer, Fish, Birds, and Small Game. The most mounted animals in the industry nationwide!

We also will talk you through licensing within YOUR state to make sure you are compliant with the laws!

Cover learning tools and further education once you have completed the course.

Full list of tools needed to get your studio up and running. We also supply you with an airbrush which is needed on all specimens that are mounted.

We always have and always will provide ALL specimens and forms to our students when attending our course. You may provide your own but if you don’t have any good quality critters, we have you covered.

You will receive 2 deer shoulder mounts (most students bring in their own antlers as it makes the mount more personnel), 4 fish, 2 birds, and one life size small game.

We do not have state funding for tuition. Tuition is $7500.00. (Beginning Jan 2024) Again, we provide the students with EVERYTHING they will need in order to attend.

Hours per class will vary but expect up to 4-5 hours a day. Time of the day class will be held will be set up with students but we like to begin around 1 in the afternoon. 

Generally, figure about 21 days to complete the course. We do NOT offer classes in the fall as our studio gets too busy with our customers specimens coming in. Give a look at our instructor’s work page and see for yourself that you will be taught by those who know what they are doing!

Students’ personal specimens

We do allow our students to bring their own specimens. In fact we encourage it as it makes it more personal for them when mounting them. Example a child’s first fish or deer. We do have some requirements the specimens must meet though in order to bring them. Fish…we try to keep fish of the same species in class and walleyes are the best to learn on. If you’d like to bring your own fish we would like 4 walleyes preferably between the lengths of 20-23 inches nose to tail. Birds…. one pheasant and one duck are required. Try to make sure they are not shot up or dog chewed and all the wing bones and leg bones are in good shape. Deer heads… if you or someone you know shoots a deer and would like to mount it in class, by all means call us and we can take the cape off and put it in the freezer for you with your name on it and when class begins you have one or 2 to work on of your own. If you are traveling a distance, have your local taxidermist remove the cape for you and bring it and the rack to class. For small game please do not bring in any fox or coyotes! No canines. Only bring in coon, badger, otter, mink only please. Please bring in all specimens the first day of class and we will go over them to make sure they are all usable.

Minimum age requirement

We like our students to be at least 17 years of age. At this age it will allow them to drive to school without having to be chauffeured. They are also more mature and able to better handle the power tools that are in class. They are also more responsible with their phones should we need to call them with any pertinent information.

Casting and Molding Techniques

We will be incorporating Casting and Molding into our curriculum. Each student will learn how to cast bird heads, deer noses and ear buts. With this information they can save large amounts of money by casting your own specimens’ anatomy. We will also be going over antler replication as well through various demonstrations. With bird heads going for $10-$15 a piece this will save you a lot of cash if you will be doing a bunch of birds!

Structured Class Schedule

Please see above Class Dates Tab for our updated schedules and how many positions are still available. We have a Winter, Spring, and Summer classes available. Most classes will be held on a 2-4 day week mostly around the weekend schedule. Call or text me if you have any questions. 320-393-2825

Species Specific Classes