Kindred Spirits School of Taxidermy

The 8 and 10 week taxidermy courses consist of Birds, Fish , Gameheads and Lifesize Taxidermy instruction. The training is intense. Students arrive at 8 am and work till 6 pm with breaks. Students will be using the Breakthrough Series of Taxidermy Instructional Manuals. These instructional manuals are illustrated with hundreds of step-by-stepphotos and diagrams and feature the award winning methods of the top wildlife artists in their fields. These are the most comprehensive collection of in-depth taxidermy information available anywhere. These manuals are the students to keep and are included with the tuition cost. Each student will receive a tool kit to include: A paasche H series airbrush and accessories kit, fleshing scissors and knives, scalpels and blades, ear openers, hide stretcher, model tools, calipers, safety glasses, surgical gloves, surgical needles, cape thread and bird thread, skinning gambrel, cheek meat tool, lip tuck tool, fish skinning tools, and all of the tanning supplies, and mounting supplies needed to finish their mounts. Students will also receive a hard 3 ring notebook with dividers, how to "cheat sheets" , measure sheets, skinning diagrams, field care sheets, state and federal laws sheets, paint schedules, color photo reference sheets. Tuition 8 weeks, $6,800.00

If you take the 10 week course , students have more time and can complete larger mammals and more specimens. Example: 3/4 bear, turkey, etc. Also , they receive the bird and fish finishing paint schedule manuals. Tuition 10 weeks, $8,500.00

Students will be learning to use the Dakota Detail Flesher and the Foredom Mini-Flesher, and the Quebec Pro production circular blade fleshing machine. The VanDykes wire wheel bird flesher and tumblers loaded with corn cob grit or hardwood shavings. Students will be designing their own habitat bases, using the wood shop tools. Each student has their own work station equiped with a floor mounting stand a bench mounting stand , magnifying lamp , hot glue gun, storage area for mannikins, and supplies.

Habitat supplies are not included but students are assisted in the purchase of needed items as they are called for: Moss, grasses, artificial snow, artificial water, plexiglass, lumber, etc.

All clay, mache, hide paste, ear base, glues, salt, soap, paper products, and other mounting supplies are provided as needed for the planned mounted species. If students desire to mount more specimens in their allotted time and they have the time they may purchase the extra supplies that would not be included in their tuition. Example: Say Joe wants to and has the time to mount 4 more fish for his dad . Joe can then purchase the fish tan and mounting supplies, bodies, eyes, fillers, paint and sealers , driftwoods and habitat materials as he desires.

Students have access to the school kitchen, refrigerator, and microwave if they desire. We often cook out on the gas grill and eat on the picnic table as weather allows. The school  wants the students to feel at home while they are here and makes every effort to provide what is needed.

We have expanded and have built another classroom to hold 6 more students. We have hired more teachers also, because, why? We want to keep the student to teacher ratio the same. three to one!!!!! We say come here and get what you pay for.

First Aid- I am Red Cross First Aid Certified, and we have a local hospital about 6 blocks away. Students are advised to have up to date shots and to follow safety rules and regulations. Proper use and handling of equipment and supplies used in the course of the instruction is of the upmost importance. It is our hope that all students will adhere to our advise and continue to use with caution everything that may be harmful to them at school and in their futures.

Students receive a large tool kit with the 8 and 10 week courses, which includes a paasche H series airbrush, Breakthrough Manuals, model tools, knives, scalpels, scissors, ear openers, hide stretcher, brushes, gambrels, calipers, curry comb, septum tool, syringe set, liptuck tool, fish fleshing and bird fleshing tools also.

Habitat scenes are awesome, students are only limited by imagination and pocketbook. You can bring in habitat materials or purchase them. We want the students mounts to stand out above the rest of their competition. Their showrooms sell their abilities to customers.

Tim Roche, Outdoor Memories Taxidermy , 309-337-8641.Tim's mounts are awesome, Arctic Fox with Ptarmigan in snow scene.  

Fred Allen of Quincy

Illinois recently took our Fish and Gamehead courses. Quincy, Illinois.

This is his reprocat coming out of the river bank with tree roots.

 This picture does not do it justice. It is awesome. Fred's Taxidermy,

325 Sycamore, 217-223-6403 or cell 217-430-3517.Fred also does

wholesale fish taxidermy for other busy taxidermists.