Oregon Taxidermy School

Mat Kubitz with his mounts at school. He is busy with his new business in Portland, OR called Benchleg Taxidermy - www.benchlegtaxidermy.com

While in class you can expect your instructor to give you a demonstration of the type of project you will be doing before you get started. You are encouraged to take notes and pictures at this time.

After demonstration you will begin your own project with your instructor nearby for help as you need it.

Our classes run 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Most students choose to stay in the cabins at the school and are welcome to work on their projects after hours and on weekends as long as they are respectful of the facility and others.

Here are some things you can expect to learn at our school:

 Birds: 

• standing / flying
• making your own forms
• sizing for manufactured forms
• using original and reproduction heads 
  

Gameheads:

• using detachable antlers
• facial expressions and muscle definition
• antler alterations
• form alterations, finishing, painting and artificial noses

Lifesize animals:

• form alterations
• sizing for forms
• open mouth techniques
• finishing and painting

Rugs:

• hide preparation
• open mouth techniques
• sewing and dying

Fish:

• assembling reproduction blanks
• painting techniques and schedules
• airbrushing basics and techniques

Tanning:

• skinning to suit each mount
• fleshing
• hair on / hair off
• wet tan / dry tan
• hide repair

Antler plaques:

• proper antler placement
• using leather
• using  skull caps

Bases:

• preparing manufactured bases
• building your own bases
• rock building
• habitat and scenery techniques
• water scenes

European mounts / Skulls:

• techniques for cleaning skulls
• bleaching and whitening
• basics of keeping beetles

Small business fundamentals:

• record keeping
• pricing
• advertising
• selecting suppliers
• scheduling your work

Jaime Hurtado is now working hard at his taxidermy business in Soledad, CA

called Still Life Taxidermy - www.slttaxidermy.com