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CENTRAL MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF TAXIDERMY

Winter 2025 class – Filled.
Spring 2025 – Filled.
Summer 2025 – Filled.

2026 class info coming soon.

Tuition for the entire course runs $7,500

Sign up for a class with openings with a $500 down payment – HERE

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 $1000 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.

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.

Taxidermy Kits

With thousands of items to choose from in the industry it can be a bit overwhelming when setting up your studio. We have simplified it for you when ordering supplies you will need to get your location up and running. We feel these “kits” have 95 % of the tools you will need to get up and running! At the beginning of each class we will ask the students if they would like one of these kits and will order everything needed so when they leave they can immediately start working as soon as they graduate!! We not only do this for the full course but the Species Specific courses as well! Following is the breakdown costs for the kits to fit your needs! A lot of the tools are interchangeable from one species to the next so let’s say you take birds and fish class…. we will make adjustments on the price of the two kits accordingly. If you are over time going to take every class separately you would probably be better ordering the full kit right away. 

Full studio….. $2650
Birds…..$1450
Fish….. $1550
Small Game…..$1600
Deer Heads…..$1900

Students’ personal specimens (If you don’t have needed specimens, we supply them at no extra cost)


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

We do offer species specific (SS) classes, for example if you want to only do deer heads, we can cater to your needs BUT we must cater to our full-time students first so SS classes will only be offered if there is room available. We have 6 work stations and if one or more are open we can then take on the SS individuals. We will know if we have any spots available 1 week out from beginning of class, what works best is to call us and get on a call back list and 1 week out from the beginning of class if there are openings, we will call you to see if you are still interested. So, if you are interested in learning about one specific critter feel free to give us a call and get on the call back list and we will call you at the appropriate date. Thanks John
320-393-2825 Central Minnesota School of Taxidermy

Below are current prices for species specific classes.

WHITETAIL DEER…$2750.00 – Estimated hours for Deer Class (2 deer) 22-30 hours.

BIRDS…$2250.00 – Estimated hours for Bird Class (2 birds) 10-15 hours

FISH…$2250.00 – Estimated hours for Fish Class (4 fish) 15-20 hours

SMALL MAMMALS…$2250.00 – Estimated hours for Small Game Class (1 small mammal ) 11-15 hours

ADDITIONAL CLASSES AND PRICES OFFERED BUT NOT IN THE FULL COURSE CURRICULUM……WE MUST HAVE 3 STUDENTS IN EACH CLASS IN ORDER TO GIVE THESE CLASSES

½ BODY BEAR ……..$2250.00 plus skins and material costs.

TANNING…….$1750.00….. Must supply your 2 of your own salted deer capes. Call
for salting instructions.
TURKEY……$2250.00…..We supply bird and all needed materials

Turkey Class has been added….Dates are July 14-16….. Tuition $2250.
Call or text to lock in your spot! 320-393-2825

2 – Tanning Class have been added….
Dec 13-14-15…… Tuition $1750.
Dec 16-17-18…… Tuition $1750.
Call or text for specifics and to hold your spot…320-393-2825.

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Job Placement

From time-to-time taxidermy shops from around the country and locally call us for
referrals for those looking to work in the industry. We gladly send them our
students contact info, if the student agrees, and some have gone on to work at
some of the biggest shops in the country and also the local area!! Even Alaska!!

New to the curriculum!

We will be serving the students lunch on Saturdays during class!!!Elk roast, BBQ sandwiches, venison brats, many more items! Can’t mount on an empty stomach!! 

We encourage ALL to attend the first day of the full course introduction day as this is where a lot of industry questions are covered.

Please make tuition checks out to – Central Minnesota School of Taxidermy

View Video by Newspaper – HERE

Location of our studio…
310 West main St Rice MN 56367
Telephone 320-393-2825 call or text.
Email trailsendrice@gmail.com
(Note: If no response after emailing – Check your spam account)

 

Taxidermy School Is Located in Central Minnesota.
310 West Main St. Rice, MN