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1 2018 Catalog Toll Free 844-WILDART ( ) Shop (850)

2 Welcome to Taxidermy Tech! Taxidermy Tech Congratulations on your decision to pursue the fascinating world of Taxidermy. There are many resources today available to the public to learn virtually any skill or craft and Taxidermy is no different. The Taxidermy Supply industry has grown exponentially over the last 25 years and provides excellent how-to resources to aspiring taxidermists and the general public. The internet and the availability of video resources such as YouTube and Vimeo as well as DVDs and ebooks has revolutionized the way we transfer information, however, it has not changed the inherently human way we interpret, process, retain and apply that same information. Observing an instructor execute a process, no matter how good they are or how much clarity is in the presentation, is never an effective substitute for hands-on performance oriented training in the presence of an experience instructor. This alone can reduce the learning curve by months and even years. Our programs are perfect for the do-it-yourselfer or those with a competitive edge looking for a challenging hobby, but they are primarily focused on beginner and intermediate level students that are motivated and dedicated to starting their own Taxidermy business. Starting a new business venture is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, right up there with starting a family, buying a home and changing careers. There are advantages and disadvantages in any business venture, and the one you are considering now is no exception. You must be certain that NOW is the time. If you are currently facing personal or financial challenges or have any reservations about the step you are about to take, now may not be the time. Give it some thought and come back when you are ready we will be here waiting for you and ready to assist you in getting started. If you are absolutely committed and determined to succeed, with nothing to hold you back, we are here and ready to help you though your journey of personal discovery, professional achievement and selffulfillment. It is important that you prepare yourself, not only in the technical aspects of your craft, but in your willingness to do whatever necessary to operationalize and professionalize your business. We believe that our role in this continues to be relevant when you leave the physical premises of Taxidermy Tech, through continued support, guidance and mentorship. It is through this core principle that we affirm our commitment to you to provide opportunity for a solid professional and technical foundation and the motivation and encouragement you will need to grow and cultivate your skills and confidence. See Instructors. Overview Our instructional approach employs a balance of both traditional and progressive concepts, based more on the understanding of how people learn rather than how teachers should teach. While the majority of your training is performance oriented (hands-on), there are some assignments that must be completed and performance analysis in the form of written tests in some cases. Additionally there will be technical assessments throughout nearly every course in our catalog, all of which collectively contribute to your final evaluation. Page 1 of 18

3 Welcome current and future Students of Taxidermy Tech, the one-stop-shop for all of your taxidermy interests and learning experiences! At Taxidermy Tech, you choose the curriculum and we deliver it in an informal open atmosphere where you have the freedom to stop or slow the process, to ask questions or request further instruction in a specific area. When you enroll in a course or program with us, you will receive all the tools necessary to meet your taxidermy goals and the direction needed to exceed them. We are here to help you achieve that dream, not only through our extensive training courses and programs but also through the added value of our Business Support Services that we extend not only to our colleagues but to each of our students well after they've completed their course and have left our school. I challenge each and every one of you that aspire to learn taxidermy or specialize in a specific area to review our approach to training and gain some insight into our unique program. Whether you are currently a professional, an amateur or a beginner with no idea where to start, we have a program for you. Whether it is a career path you've chosen or an exciting new hobby I dare you to take the first step and follow your dreams! You might surprise yourself and exceed your own expectations. You can rest assured that when you train at Taxidermy Tech, we will not abandon or forget you when you leave. Thank you, in advance, for giving Taxidermy Tech the opportunity to earn your trust and confidence while you learn and pursue your taxidermy interests and goals. We are here for you and are looking forward to celebrating your success each step of the way. If you would like a free no-obligation proposal for your taxidermy training, fill out the short request for information at or visit our main website at Valerie Darville President Citizen Sportsman Enterprises Pensacola, Florida (850) Shop (844) accounts@citizensportsman.com Page 2 of 18

4 Tuition & Fees Payment Terms Taxidermy Tech The payment schedule is 25% - 50% - 25%. Terms 1. We provide a proposal to all students who request to attend. The proposal is an offer that sets requirements for the course, costs and payment plan. The proposal states the terms and by accepting those terms you are agreeing to abide by them. 2. A deposit of 25% of the total course fee as laid out in the proposal is due upon registration for a class to schedule time on our calendar. This is due 60 days from start date. Enrollment deposits are non-refundable and non-negotiable. This is to protect our interests in the event of cancellation. Scheduling a student for a course reserves a slot that we may not be able to fill in the event of a late cancellation which can be costly. We will always work with you to reschedule as required but Enrollment deposits are non-refundable. 3. The next 50% of the total course fee is due 14 NOT LATER THAN days prior to the start of your resident training. At this time we will complete your lodging accommodations (if required) and order any required specimens and materials. Please do not be late on this payment. If you are going to be late you must contact us and make arrangements otherwise your course may be rescheduled. We are at considerable risk at this point as we are investing money in resources and booking time. 4. The remaining balance due will be due on the first morning you arrive for training. 5. Cancellations within 14 days from the start of the session will result in a refund less the enrollment deposit and any costs incurred from cancellation of accommodations and the purchase of specimens and materials. All cancellations must be in writing before refund will be issued. Many acts of God, Nature (and employer) are out of your hands and ours. We will work with you to reschedule your training should the need arise. 6. We will not be held responsible for injury or illness during the conduct of the workshop on or off the premises where the training is conducted. We do have a medical waiver and will ask you to disclose any serious medical issues at the time of enrollment. 7. We accept most major credit cards, echeck, Personal Checks and cash. There will be a $35 fee assessed on all returned checks. Once you make a decision to attend and ready to lock in your slot, we will provide the proposal via . At this point, your approval states the terms and by accepting those terms you are agreeing to abide by them. Once we receive your approval to proceed we will invoice you per the 25%-50%-25% payment schedule. Your 25% Enrollment Deposit invoice would be sent to you via . You can use the Pay Now function on the invoice or call (850) for more instructions on payments. Alternately checks must be made payable to Citizen Sportsman Enterprises and mailed to Expressions of Wildlife Taxidermy, 8929 Pensacola Blvd, Pensacola Florida Payment by check is very time sensitive. Slots are not locked until payment is made and check has cleared. We must receive your check within 7 days of approving the proposal. Once the enrollment deposit is paid, your dates are locked on the calendar. If for some reason you have to change your dates we can work with you provided your new dates are not locked by another student. Lodging (if required) is included in the total invoice amount. See our Lodging Information. Note: If you need computer assistance we can help you take care of all of your documentation requirements. Page 3 of 18

5 Course Subject Cat Course ID Days Base Tuition** Materials* Gameheads A GH101 $275 Whitetail S GH102 5 $1,500 $275 Gameheads (Large) S GH103 5 $1,500 $450 Life-size (Small/Med) A ML101 $250 Life-sized mammal (Large) S LL101 $750 Reptiles (Snake) A RS101 $200 Reptiles (Alligator, Small) S RA101 $650 Replica (Custom and Commercial) S RP101 $200 Small Waterfowl/or Small upland B BD101 $100 Turkey/or Large Waterfowl A BD201 $250 Fish (Skin) B FS101 $100 Replica Fish B SW101 $150 Molding and Casting E MC101 $200 Composition and Habitat E CH101 3 $900 $125 Finishing Techniques E FT102 2 $650 Business Management E BM101 2 $650 Gameheads E GH111 3 $975 Birds E BD111 3 $975 Life-size E ML111 3 $975 Fish E FS111 3 $975 Saltwater Fish E SW111 3 $975 Reptiles E RT111 3 $975 Molding and Casting E MC111 3 $975 $100 $50 $175 $50 $100 $250 $100 *Material costs may fluctuate depending on species. **One-Student Rate is shown. Add $50 per day for Two-student rate. Additional material costs may apply. Specimens Page 4 of 18

6 When you book your course at Taxidermy Tech we must determine whether you are providing the specimens or if we are providing them. If you provide specimens, there is obviously no cost involved from our end, however, the specimens must be suitable and legal. If we provide them, we will make every effort to locate suitable specimens and you must be prepared that there will likely be some associated costs which is not part of the basic tuition costs or material costs. An average sized deer cape can range between $75 and $150. On occasion we have specimens gifted that are used for training at no cost. We are also a Florida Licensed Fur Dealer which allows us to purchased specimens from hunters and trappers, which we use for the taxidermy market. This can be a significant cost saving advantage for our students looking to obtain specimens for training. We will work together to come up with a plan to obtain your specimens. Course Description Gameheads The purpose of this course of study is to provide the student with instruction on the basic skills of Gamehead taxidermy. Students will choose horned, antlered or other as course specific subject upon enrollment the most popular is the Whitetail Deer and Wild Hog. The Course Scope consists of 4 module groups: Module Group 1-Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on bone and muscle movements), Interpreting reference, Field care Module Group 2-Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation Module Group 3 -Mounting Process, Grooming, Drying and basic finishing techniques you will need to make your work stand out from the competition. Module Group 4-Evaluation (Written Test and Score sheet assessment of completed mounts). Objective: Students will mount 2 Gameheads Category: A Course: GH101 Page 5 of 18

7 Whitetail Taxidermy Tech This course of study is Whitetail Deer specific. Students will mount 2 deer as a specialty mount which may include alteration and custom mouth work. This is a fast paced course that is a bit more advanced than the standard Gamehead course and designed for students wishing to the get to the next level of Whitetail Deer Taxidermy. The Course Scope consists of 4 module groups: Module Group 1-Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on bone and muscle movements), Interpreting reference, Field care Module Group 2-Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation Module Group 3 -Mounting Process, Grooming, Drying, Finishing and Special techniques to make your work stand out from the competition. Module Group 4-Evaluation (Written Test and Score sheet assessment of completed mounts). Objective: Student will mount 2 basic whitetail deer mounts. Category: A Course: GH102/WT102 Gameheads (Large) The purpose of this course of study is to provide the student with instruction on the basic skills of Gamehead taxidermy. Students will choose horned, antlered or other as course specific subject upon enrollment the most popular is Elk and Caribou. The Course Scope consists of 4 module groups: Module Group 1-Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on bone and muscle movements), Interpreting reference, Field care Module Group 2-Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation Module Group 3 -Mounting Process, Grooming, Drying and basic finishing techniques you will need to make your work stand out from the competition. Module Group 4-Evaluation (Written Test and Score sheet assessment of completed mounts). Objective: Students will mount 1 large Gamehead (can be combined with an elective Gamehead course to complete 2 mounts). Page 6 of 18

8 Category: S Taxidermy Tech Course: GH103 Life-size Mammals (Small/Medium) The purpose of this course of study is to provide the student with the basic skills of Small and Medium life-size mammal taxidermy. Students will choose species as course specific subject upon enrollment...most common species for the program are coyotes, foxes, bobcats and raccoons. Actual specimens used could be subject to availability. We do offer an additional course of study for large life-size mammals. The most common large mammal species include Bear, Mountain Lion and Whitetail deer. There will be some discussion during this course of study on these subjects, however they are offered as a separate course. The Course Scope consists of 4 Module Groups... Module Group 1- Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on bone structure and muscle movements), Interpreting reference, Field care Module Group 2- Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation Module Group 3- Mounting Process, Grooming, Drying and Finishing. Module Group 4- Performance Evaluation Objective: Student will mount two specimens. Category: A Course: ML101 Life-sized Mammals (Large) The purpose of this course of study is to provide the student with the basic skills of large life-size mammal taxidermy. Students will choose species as course specific subject upon enrollment... The most common large mammal species include Bear, Mountain Lion and Whitetail deer. There will be some discussion during this course of study on small and medium mammal taxidermy, however they are offered as a separate course. The Course Scope consists of 4 Module Groups Page 7 of 18

9 1. Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on bone structure and muscle movements), Interpreting reference, Field care 2. Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation 3. Mounting Process, Grooming, Drying and Finishing. 4. Performance Evaluation Objective: The student will mount 1 large life-size mammal most commonly black bear, mountain lion or whitetail deer. Category: S Course: LL101 Reptiles (Snake) The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the basic skills of snake taxidermy. Students will choose species as course specific subject upon enrollment...the most common specimens are timber rattlesnakes and western diamondback rattlesnakes. There will be some discussion during this course of study on Alligators and turtles, however they are offered as a separate course. The Course Scope consists of 4 Module Groups Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on body and fin movements), Interpreting reference, Field care 2. Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation 3. Mounting Process, Drying and Finishing. 4. Performance Evaluation Objective: Student will mount 2 specimens Category: A Course: RT101 Page 8 of 18

10 Reptiles (Alligator, Small) Taxidermy Tech The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the basic skills of alligator taxidermy. Only alligators in the 3-5 foot range are covered in this course of instruction and are subject to the availability of specimens. There will be some discussion during this course of study on snakes, however they are offered as a separate course. The Course Scope consists of 4 Module Groups Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on body and fin movements), Interpreting reference, Field care 2. Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation 3. Mounting Process, Drying and Finishing. 4. Performance Evaluation Objective: 1 Skin mount Rattle snake/1 small alligator Category: S Course: RA101 Replicas (Custom and Commercial) Students in this course of study will mold, cast, finish and paint a custom replica and will finish and paint a commercially prepared fish replica blank. Objective: Custom Cast 1 fish/finish 1 commercial blank Category: S Course: RP101 Page 9 of 18

11 Basic Small Waterfowl/or Small upland The purpose of this course of study is to provide the student with the basic skills of Bird taxidermy. Students will choose upland birds or waterfowl as course specific subject upon enrollment...most common upland birds are Pheasants and the most common waterfowl are ducks and small geese. Actual specimens used could be subject to availability. The Course Scope consists of 4 module groups Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on bone and muscle movements), Interpreting reference, Field care 2. Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation, Armatures 3. Mounting Process, Grooming, Drying and Finishing 4. Performance Evaluation Objective: Student will mount 2 specimens. Category: B Course: BD101 Turkey/or Large Waterfowl The purpose of this course of study is to provide the student with the basic skills of large Bird taxidermy. Students will choose upland birds or waterfowl as course specific subject upon enrollment...most common large upland birds are Turkey and the most common waterfowl are larger geese. Actual specimens used could be subject to availability. The Course Scope consists of 4 module groups Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on bone and muscle movements), Interpreting reference, Field care 2. Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation, Armatures 3. Mounting Process, Grooming, Drying and Finishing 4. Performance Evaluation Objective: Student will mount 2 specimens. Category: A Page 10 of 18

12 Course: BD102 Taxidermy Tech Fish The purpose of this course of study is to provide the student with the basic skills of Fish taxidermy with emphasis on skin mounting. Students will choose warm water or cold water species as course specific subject upon enrollment...most common warm water fish are Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Redear. Most common cold water fish are Trout and Walleye. Actual specimens used could be subject to availability. We do offer an additional courses of study specific to or combined with saltwater skin mounts and custom or commercial replicas. The most common saltwater species include Redfish and Speckled Trout. There will be some discussion during this course of study on these subjects, however they are offered as a separate course. The Course Scope consists of 4 Module Groups Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on body and fin movements), Interpreting reference, Field care 2. Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation 3. Mounting Process, Fin carding, Drying and Finishing. 4. Performance Evaluation Objective: Student will mount 2 specimens. Category: B Course: FS101 Saltwater Fish The purpose of this course of study is to provide the student with the basic skills of Fish taxidermy with emphasis on skin mounting or certain saltwater species and replicas. Students will choose species as course specific subject upon enrollment...the most common saltwater species include Redfish and Speckled Trout. There will be some discussion of freshwater fish taxidermy during this course of study, however they are offered as a separate course. Courses are modular so we can customize as the student requires. The Course Scope consists of 4 Module Groups... Page 11 of 18

13 1. Common Species, Biology, Ecology, Anatomy and Physiology (with a specific emphasis on body and fin movements), Interpreting reference, Field care 2. Measurements, Materials/Supplies/Tools, Skin preparation, Form Preparation 3. Mounting Process, Fin carding, Drying and Finishing. 4. Performance Evaluation Objective: Student will mount 2 specimens. Category: B Course: SW101 Composition and Habitat This course of study is designed to provide a basic overview of composition and design incorporating habitat techniques that will bring your mounts to life. The student will learn the importance of balance and the role that positive and negative space play in composition. Students learn how to make realistic replica rocks, plants and trees, snow and ice and even unbelievably realistic splash effects in water scenes. Objective: Student will complete 3 projects Splash or snow/ice scene/woodland habitat with rocks Course: CH101 Days: 3 Finishing Techniques This course is the capstone event of the program. The student will learn to prepare a dry mounted specimen, interpret and rebuild shrunken soft tissues, blend junctures and seams. Extensive use of the airbrush, utilizing both lacquer and water based paints as well as traditional brush painting with oil and acrylic are employed to restore color and create the illusion of depth and translucence. Objective: Complete finishing work on all course mounts Course: FT102 Page 12 of 18

14 Days: 2 Taxidermy Tech Business Management Principles: The Business of Taxidermy The instructor covers business plans, startup concepts, licensing, marketing to include web development, managing operations, financials and dealing with customers. This course of study is designed to bridge the gap between taxidermy as a hobby and taxidermy as a legitimate business. You will photograph your completed mounts, edit your photos and incorporate them into a website. You will actually write a business plan, learn how to plan and schedule workflow, estimate cash flow requirements, break down direct and indirect costs and determine profit or loss. We will research and assist you in understand the taxidermy laws of your state to include licensing requirements. This is a must do course for students who aspire to operate a commercial taxidermy studio. The week begins with the Explorer phase of the program. If you have completed Explorer prior to arrival you will be credited for completion. Objective: Complete Business plan/marketing plan with website/operations plan Course: BM101 Days: 2 Molding and Casting Molding and casting are preferred skills for a production studio. They can make you money and save you even more once you have made the initial investment into the molding process; but the real benefit is realized in the development of a part that may not have a practical commercial solution. Some projects include duck heads, jaw sets, and half mount fish. Objective: Student will complete 3 projects Course: MC101 Days: 3 Page 13 of 18

15 Electives (Workshops, Mini-Courses) We have 3 day workshops available perfect for weekenders! These courses follow the same general module group sequence but with less practical application than the weeklong course. Gameheads-Student mounts 1 Gamehead. Course: GH111 Days: 3 Birds-Student mounts 1 waterfowl or 1 upland bird. Course: BD111 Days: 3 Life-size (Small to Medium) Student mounts 1 specimen. Course: ML111 Days: 3 Fish-Student mount 1 Freshwater fish. Course: FS111 Days: 3 Page 14 of 18

16 Saltwater Fish-Student mounts 1 saltwater skin specimen Course: SW111 Days: 3 Reptiles-Student mounts 1 snake Course: RT111 Days: 3 Molding Casting- Student will complete 2 molding and casting projects. Course: MC111 Days: 3 Meals We do not officially provide meals. We will have snacks, chips, sandwiches and beverages in the shop during the day. We have a smoker/cooker, crockpot and seafood boiler on site that we often use to cook foods throughout the week. These are there for all to use. Additionally, our Extended Stay (Value Place) has a kitchenette in each room. You can save money by preparing your own food during your stay. Lodging We have housed students at Woodspring Suites. It is updated and very nice for a budget extended stay. Page 15 of 18

17 Woodspring Suites (Extended Free parking Cable TV service Climate control Iron/ironing board Kitchenette Microwave Phone Private bathroom Refrigerator Shower/tub combination Stovetop Television WiFi Pots/Pans Stay) Standard Studio, 1 Double Bed, Kitchen Bed choices Double Bed 1 double bed Entertainment - WiFi and cable channels Food & Drink - Kitchenette with refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave Bathroom - Private bathroom and shower/tub combination No continental breakfast and there are no restaurants within walking distance but this has a kitchenette where you could prepare your own food. There is a small Bar (Mugs & Jugs) next door. Average $40 - $65 per night. Page 16 of 18

18 Ken Darville My experience in the taxidermy industry has spanned about 28 years, with about half of it as an instructor. I am a proud veteran and have worked with the Army both in uniform and out for most of my adult life. I had the privilege of managing a number of large programs for the Army, training our troops and foreign troops so the concepts of training are very familiar to me. My first full time taxidermy shop was in Buena Vista Georgia, just outside of Columbus. I am married to my best friend (and my boss) Valerie. I have 3 daughters and 2 stepsons, all grown 3 grandsons and another Grandbaby on the way, life is good. As the co-owner of Citizen Sportsman Enterprises, the parent entity for Expressions of Wildlife Taxidermy Inc and the Taxidermy Tech Vocational Training Program, I approached our model as I have every project before a lot of planning, a lot of planting seeds, hard work and a continuous assessment. It is evolving just as we illustrated in our business plan. We do commercial services, training and business support services exclusively for taxidermists. There is not much we cannot do in that realm. Please be sure and visit both of our websites and our Facebook pages. The addresses are at the bottom of my signature. These are not your average courses. A taxidermy course should get you geared toward producing high quality mounts in the most efficient way reducing the learning curve and getting to the point. We teach what you need to know to put yourself in the right frame of mind for accelerated learning. I teach you my methods and some alternate methods but over time you will develop some of your own and this course will set the conditions for that continued learning. After your course, I remain available to you as a consultant to help you with technical issues or should you decide to go into business on some level, to assist you and provide you with some tools to help you get started. I do this for all my students at no additional charge and no additional obligation. Most of our student have expressed interest in returning for other courses. Some already have. Our students remain in continuous contact they feel at home with us and are not afraid to pick up the phone or send an if they need some help with something. I am always available to them. Page 17 of 18

19 One of the things that sets this program apart from others is that it is almost always a one-onone setting and never more than two (the exception is our 2 and 3 Day group workshops). Another advantage is that you can also schedule your course or program based on dates you want to come providing that period is not already booked on our calendar. We are able to do this because of our one-on-one format. This is helpful in that we can usually work with your vacation or work schedule. We can also design a course to meet your needs all courses are modular. You decide what you want to focus on and the amount of time available and we will develop a program. It is a literal buffet of courses that you can take individually or assemble into a program. There are a lot of advantages at Taxidermy Tech that may be a problem at other training institutions. Bottom line is this we can work with your schedule and you budget to find the path to your goals one step at a time. Whether you are interested in learning basic skills, improving your commercial technique or advancing in taxidermy competition, contact us today and let us create a program for you. Please go to Pre-Enrollment and fill it out. It is not mandatory for attendance but it will allow me to build a profile that will be helpful in developing exclusive oneon-one course work should you decide to pursue our program. You will receive a proposal for training complete with final costs and payment plan, training outline and timeline No obligation and we won t call you unless you ask us to. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you. God Bless you and you families! Ken Darville Taxidermy Tech Vocational Training Program Pensacola, Florida (850) Shop (850) Cell (844) Page 18 of 18