younglarrybuck Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:20 pm Post subject: Schooling I am interested in becoming a taxidermist and I would like to get some schooling. I was looking into Redneck's Taxidermy School (website: rednecktaxidermy.com) and it said that he won best of show, but on your website I don't see him as the winner. Is there another best of show he could have won at state? Or is this guy trying to pull one over? Paul Czarnecki Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:45 am Post subject: Congratulations on choosing taxidermy---you won't find a better hobby that could lead to a very rewarding career. You've also come to the right spot for taxidermy information. The PTA is the largest state taxidermy association in the country and I strongly urge you to join and attend our convention and trade show in Altoona in March---there isn't anything better in the entire country. Now, to your questions. I visited the website you listed and did not find where Mr. Jones mentioned he had won Best of Show in PA. He may have won a Best of Show at another state but it was not in PA. Mr. Jones states that he "was the top blue ribbon winner....in PA". This may be true but needs some clarification. Mr. Jones entered his pieces into the Commercial Division at the PTA show last year and not the actual Competition. The Commercial Division is judged MUCH differently than the actual taxidermy competition. In the Commercial Division mounts are judged from a distance and on "appearance" only. Mechanical soundness, balance and anatomical details are not taken into consideration. No scoresheet is used and critiques are given by the judge on a group basis. In the actual Competition the PTA uses individual expert judges for each category--i.e.--waterfowl, deer, turkeys, fish, etc. These judges go over each piece with a fine tooth comb--examining the mount VERY closely using a Criteria Scoresheet to come up with a final score for the mount. It is measured against the living creature---appearance has very little to do with it. The judge will critique the piece for the competitor one on one --showing him or her how to improve their work. I hope you can see the difference. One final word of advice on schools. Pennsylvania has the best taxidermy schools in the nation! PERIOD! However, they all have good and bad points with regard to how they will be for YOU. Only you can decide which school is better for your way of learning and the only way you can do that is by researching all of the schools and asking questions. The PTA Convention would be the perfect place for you to do your research. We have members that have attended virtually every school in the country and would be happy to give you their opinions. I, personally, can't offer you my opinion because I have never attended a school. However, in 25 years of taxidermy I CAN tell you this: --Taxidermy is a combination of skills and talent. You can teach skills but not talent. You either have talent or you don't. --You get what you pay for! I really hope you will consider joining the PTA and attending the convention in March before deciding on a school. Schooling is expensive and a decision like that should not be made haphazardly. Attend the convention--ask questions and make your own INFORMED decision about what school is "best". If you have any further questions do not hesitate to email, PM or call me. My info is on the main page. See ya in Altoona! Paul

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Friday, July 13, 2007