Kindred Spirits School of Taxidermy

 

2009 Session Calendar of Classes

January 12----------------January 24--------------Gameheads

January 26----------------February 7...------------Lifesize

February 9--------------- February 21-------------Fish

February 23--------------March 7th----------------Gameheads  

March 9th ---------------March 21st --------------Birds

March 23rd -------------April  4th.........................Lifesize

April 6--------------------April 18-----------------Fish

April 20------------------May 2------------------  Birds

May 4th ------------------May 16th---------------Gameheads

May 18th------------------May 30th---------------Lifesize

June 1st------------------June 13th----------------Fish

June 15...........................June 27th-----------------Birds

June 29th ---------------July 4th                            Closed

July 6th...........................July 18th  ........................Gameheads

July 20th-----------------August 1st---------------Lifesize

August 3-----------------August 15th-------------Fish

August 17th--------------August 29th-------------Birds

August 31th--------------September 12th---------Gameheads

September 14th----------September 26th---------Lifesize

September 28th----------October 10th -----------Fish

October 12th------------October 24th------------Birds

October 26th------------November 7th-----------Gameheads

November 9th-----------November 21st----------Lifesize

November 30th----------December 12th----------Fish

 

If you write to us we can send you a full brochure with the session dates

and availability on openings. Also changes. Openings are filled on a first

come first served basis, meaning,,,,,,,,,,,,,, prospective students placing their

reservation deposits in first get the opening available. This prevents their being

a slot unfilled........... If you are unsure about your being able to attend during

a session that you are wanting to attend , then we need to know in order to make

this time slot available to another student.

Students come in on a open entry/open exit basis, meaning

that you can take a two week course and finish or if there are

openings you can stay and rotate through all the classes .

Students who make reservations ahead of time get priority

on class openings. We have student work stations for four

full time students and two part time students. We presently

have three  full time teachers and one part time teachers.

If you wish to just learn to mount one thing, say a turkey,

sign up for a speciality course. We can arrange this if we

have enough advance notice. Each two week course is

$1,700 Please call for Availability of openings prior to making your

personal committments as openings fill up fast, usually about

2-3 months in advance. Class dates are subject to change,

depending on enrollment and vacancies. Specimens,Forms,Eyes,

Jawsets, Earliners, Habitat, etc. are not included in the tuition.

You can bring in your own specimens..............but we have a

good selection on hand if you need them.

Please check back periodically because things change daily sometimes.

 If there are no sign ups for a class we may offer a different class...............

example if no one signs up for a fish class in August , we may offer another

 gamehead course at that time. It happens sometimes,,,,,,,,,,,we have more

inquiries about gamehead courses than other classes.

LM Bass mounted

by Bruce Bailey, of Michigan. Bruce is finished with his

training now and opened his business, "Four Seasons

Taxidermy . 989-466-1200 Great job, Bruce!!!!!

 come join us!

 

 

Call for the rest of the years schedule..................... Thanks, JoAnn

 

Students may bring in their own specimens in to mount as long as they are legally

taken and properly tagged. If you wish to purchase from us that is ok too. We

stock many mammals, fish and birds in our walk in freezer. Prices for specimens

are quoted at the time of purchase and depend on availability , quality and

students choices and there fore cannot be estimated until those choices are made.

Mounting forms, eyes, earliners , jawsets, heads, bodies, etc., are students

responsibility and they order those items with our assistance during the planning

session for their courses. Many specimens have been donated also by local

hunters and trappers. Migratory Waterfowl donated to students are at no

cost to students, those purchased from Gamefarms are available but cost a

little more plus shipping. We send students a specimen cost and availability

sheet with their brochure. There are no hidden costs.

Class hours and Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.with breaks. Saturdays are reserved

 for catch up classes and for those students who require more time to complete a project.

 We are committed to making sure that every student has all of the necessary time and information

 needed to build a firm foundation in the field of taxidermy and also have an enjoyable experience.

Special circumstances: The school does offer some evening classes for part-time students who have

to work a day job and therefore need to extend the number of weeks it takes to complete the

requirements of the course. Ask us , we are flexible.

Students who want to work on more projects can do so in the evenings if there is a teacher

available, I don't have a problem with that. Some times a student brings in more specimens

and wants to repeat the process a few more times. For instance, recently we had a student

who wanted to work on making habitat bases in the evening, not a problem as long as they

clean up after themselves.

Dave Boysen-      Boysen's Woods to Waters Taxidermy, 18764 93rd.St. ,

                           Wapello, Iowa 52653.319-523-2509.Dave has moved to

                            a larger facility and is working full time since 2001.

Richard Mason-   Mason's Mounts, 302 S. Charles St., Colchester,

                            Illinois. 62326 309-776-3665 Richard mounted the famous

                            Macomb Monster for Scott Jacobs.

Mike Whitaker-    Racks and Quacks Taxidermy,Mike

                             travels with us to the deer classics and helps

                             out at the school often if necessary.

                             319-572-3636

Mike Barnard-     Barnard's Taxidermy, 113 S. McArthur, North Pekin,

                            Illinois 309-267-3693Mike says that his business is

                            really busy by now.

Curt Perkins-       C & A's Taxidermy, 609 S. Madison, Madrid, Ia. 50156 

                          ,515-975-3272  Curt is very busy and has purchased an

                           auto tanner to help out with his work load.

  Carey Owens-     Owen's Taxidermy, 316 W. Rezanof, Alaska, 99615  

                             319-572-2909 ( from September to  June.)      

                              Carey works at the school as a teachers assistant and

                             taxidermist the rest of the year. He does around 70

                             mounts for customers yearly  .

 Lewis McGraw-  Fins & Feathers Taxidermy, P.O.Box 200B ,  

                            7th & Schuyler St. ,Oquawka, Ill.309-867-2448.

Tim Roche-         Outdoor Memories Taxidermy, 1877 1st.St.,

                           Monmouth,  Illinois 61462 309-337-8641 Tim also

                            teaches with us part time in the evenings allowing the

                            full time    teacher , namely me, a little time off in the

                            evenings. Thanks Tim. 

Mitch Montgomery, Call of the Wild Taxidermy , Mitch has built a

                             new building now and working full time. 

                          502 E. 16th St.N, Newton, Ia. 50208 640-792-2628

Chris Wagonblast, Timber Trophies Taxidermy , 933 5th.St.

                        ,Carrolton, Ill. 62016,573-406-7559 Chris says

                         that he is really busy doing gameheads now.

Monte Smith,Skunk River Taxidermy, 20392 Skunk River Rd.,

                         Danville, Ia. 52623,319-392-4860      

Ray Lovell, Lovell's Taxidermy, 542 S. Walnut, Chebanse, Ill.

                       60922,        815-697-2890 Ray has done the

                       birds and gameheads, he loves it and still finds time to hunt.

Jeff Neilsen, Box 238, Vermont, Ill. 61484. 309-784-3421 Gameheads

                      and Birds .

Eric Halterman, Indian Creek Taxidermy, 308 N. Main St.,10 week course graduate,

                       Mingo, Ia. 50168.641-363-4239

Shawn Kennett, Kennett's Kritters,  Step Road, Gilson, Illinois

                        ,61436.      309-876-2203

  Joe Jolin- Jolin's Taxidermy, West Burlington, Iowa, 319-752-0382. 

  Jami Lee Feuss, Tall Tines Taxidermy , 3736 Radford Rd. ,

                       Springfield, Illinois. 62707,

                       Jami has a great business now, and a daughter.

Grant Gollaher,  Grants Gameheads,    Frankford, Mo.

                       573-784-2294. Birds and Mammals .

Jeff Stoermer, Mississippi River Taxidermy,  Burlington, Ia.

                       319-752-5870.  

Paul Sikkema, Fulton, Ill. 815-589-4044. Specializing in Mammals,

                     Birds and Fish Taxidermy. Paul is also doing

                     wholesale fish taxidermy .

Paul Cooper, Montrose, Ia. 319-463-5607. Specializing in Mammals,

                    Fish and Bird Taxidermy. 

Al Blagden, Blagden Trophy Taxidermy, 740 N.W.St. P.O.Box

                     241, Dunfermline, Ill. 309-668-2809 or

                     cell. 309-338-0197

Mike Beliveau, Flagstaff , Az. 928-526-0728. Mike is specializing

                    in Gamehead Taxidermy.

Roxanne Mitchell, 541 E. Co.Rd. 450,  Sutter, Ill.  62373

                    Timber Bluff Taxidermy  217-658-3222.

                    Roxanne built a new shop and is a full time taxidermist.

Marty Sommers, Sommers Gameheads, 573-853-4336

Gerry Schuerer, Amana, Ia. Specializing in Birds. 319-622-5177 .

Russ Miner, 1477 90th St.,Monmouth, Ill. 61462 309-734-7467

Fred Allen, Fred's Taxidermy, 325 Sycamore St. , Quincy, Ill.

                       62301 , 217-430-3517

Derek Boyd, Turning Heads Taxidermy ,905 N. Central St,

                      Burlington, Ia. 52601. 319-754-1072 

Robert Pinnow, Rivers Edge Taxidermy , 1114 State St. ,

                     Bettendorf, Iowa 52722 , 563-359-1427.

Art Kirchoff, Artistic Taxidermy, Centerville, Ia.

                     641-856-5455 Mounted 35 first year

Eric Carlson, Full Season Taxidermy, Oquawka, Illinois.

                    319-572-5371

Rick Gambetta, Nature's Corner Taxidermy, Monmouth, Ill.

                    309-734-6454 

Andy Garland, Garland's Trophy Taxidermy, Bloomfield, Ia.

                     641-799-5396  1st

Brian Wendell, Wendell's Whitetail Taxidermy, Indianapolis, In.

                     317-697-1734 

Todd Fawcett, L.T's Taxidermy, 130 Knox Hwy 37, Galesburg, Ill.

                        61401, 309-342-9636. email   lt_taxidermy/@yahoo.com 

Darren Johnson, Big River Avian Taxidermy, 2600 Carlton Ln, Uit A2,

                      Springville, Ia. 52336, 319-533-8483

Jacolyn Metcalf, Jacolyn's Taxidermy, 1812 Sisk lane, Salem, Ia.

                      52649, 319-931-4675 

Todd Keithly, Wild Things Taxidermy Troy, MO. 636-262-6681

David Sunken, Memory Makers Taxidermy, Indianolia, Ia.

                       515-961-6393

Vickie Wright, Straight Shooters Taxidermy , Toma, WI.

                       608-372-3615 

Sam and Rob Funk, Timber Trophies Taxidermy, Decatur,

                        Ill 217-428-4239

Jason Donovan, Jason's Taxidermy, Jacksonville, Ill

                       217-479-8763 

Ryan Bridson, Bridson's Taxidermy, Elmwood, Ill.

                      309-253-3922 

Ryan Malott, Malott's Taxidermy ,803 S. Illinois St,

                       Lewistown, Ill  309-547-2964

Jeremy Stevens, Spoon River Taxidermy,

                      309-208-5311

Derek Johnston, Johnston's Taxidermy , Morris, Ill.

                        815-791-5708  

Jim Keithly, Troy, MO. Keithly Taxidermy,

                    636-366-4073 Fish 

Ryan Fernandes, Prairie Land Taxidermy, Jacksonville, Ill.

                    217-243-6778 

Curt Lukes, Wild Impressions Taxidermy,  North Liberty, Ia.

 Tom Lukes, "brothers" from  Waterloo. Curt studied Gameheads

and Tom studied Fish.    319-290-6595

Connie Goodman, Tall Tales Taxidermy, Castelton, Ill.

                   309-479-2621  Gameheads

Jeremy Florea, Florea's Taxidermy, Durham, MO.

                    573-439-5605

Kevin Marrow, Ten Point Taxidermy, Fairmount, Ill.

                    217-918-2139

Jack Tennant, Woods to Walls Taxidermy, Vinton, Ia.

                     319-210-7493

Terry Baker, 2828 Ludlow Rd.,  Urbana, OH.937-653-6906

Robert Hough, Back to Life Taxidermy, 112 Sioux Dr. ,Sparlin,

                    Illinois, 61565 309-274-6871

Robert Fischer and Jesse Nation, 101 Faith Ave, Bloomfield,

             Ky. 40008 Braggn' Rights Taxidermy 502-252-1223

Anne Ashworth, Sporting Life Taxidermy,704 Ivy Court, Eaton, Oh 45320

                937-533-6656

Jay Blake , No Name Yet, 3200 St. Anne Dr. , Dubuque, Ia. 52001

             563-451-8888

Mike Elston, Elston's Whitetail  Taxidermy, 15201 N. 1100 E.Rd,

            Catlin, Illinois 61817  217-918-2139 or 217-714-1588

Jackie Thompson, No Name Yet, Jackie studied fish and gameheads

            she did a great  job  309-231-3371.

Chris Sink, "River Oak Taxidermy " Chris is mounting awesome deer.

           You can reach him at Bushnell, Illinois. 309-259-9019

Andy Pedigo, Studied in our gamehead course and is going to be

           openings up his shop in Lafette, Indiana. Contact him at

           265-742-8986

Chuck Hopper , from Tiskilwa, Illinois. Chuck has completed his

          training in Fish, Birds, Mammals and Gameheads. He is

        returning to learn Gamebirds and Turkeys this summer.

           You can reach Chuck at 815-646-0315

Matt Dittbenner, from Bloomington, Illinois has just completed the

          8 week course studing Gameheads, Mammals, Fish and Birds

           and Turkeys, You can reach him at 309-275-8393

Eric Gooding, just completed our gamehead course . You can reach

         him at Gooding Taxidermy 309-875-3150

Eric Blount , Blount Taxidermy , 25605 47th Ave, Myakka, Florida

         34251     941-322-8215 I visited Eric's shop and he is really

         busy, turkeys, bobcats, deer, fish, coyotes, fox,, and more

Justin Cutler, P.O.Box 1319 Bennington, VT 05201, Cutler's Creations

         802-733-2138

Brian Reaktenwalt, 200 W. Fast Ave., Mackinaw, Illinois 61755

          309-359-3354  Brian came back and took the mammal class.

          He mounted a bobcat, grey fox, and coyote howling.

Curtis Griffin, Rock Hills Taxidermy , 17778 CR 223A, Advance, Mo.

           63730   573-576-6346 Curtis is a rising star in Missouri, you

           will hear things about this lad. He is busier than ever mounting

           and has his shop up and running.

Keegan Fielder, 160 330th Ave. , P.O.Box 33, Pfeifer, KS. 67660

            785-259-3989

Randy Onica, Randy's Recreations, 4501 N. Summerton Rd.,

            Rosebush, Mi.., 48878     989-433-5407

             ronica2504@yahoo.com

Susan Halstead, Little Foot Taxidermy, 1202 Bond St.,

            Centralia, Ill 62801    618-545-0117

David Wren, Natures Recreations, 1407 S. 18th, St.

               Terra Haute, IN. 47803    912-308-3844

Ron Ward, Wildlife Legends Taxidermy , 309-547-5241

               Ron just about has his shop up and running.

Tim Kasling, 11502 Sandpiper Rd. Okawville, Illinois 62271

              Tims work was really awesome, he said that he was

              not going to open up a business yet, but his friends and

              family all want him to mount their mounts, He better not

             show them around to anyone else, or he will be a busy man.

              515-967-6300. Tim said that he could not say enough good

              about us. and to have anyone who wants to know to call him.

Daryl Bailey, 10591 NE 82nd.Ave. Bondurant, Ia. 50035

               You can bet that this guy will make a big splash in the

               whitetail taxidermy world. Fine work Daryl, you can reach

                him at 515-967-6300. Ask him what he thought, oh, he is

                returning for the Mammals class in March.

John Matt, 2000 Racine Burlington, Ia. 52601. John just finished the

              gamehead class and is going to be mounting deer for local

              customers. His new shop is not built yet, but you can reach

              him at 319-752-9574

Troy Thames 14659 King Rd. Mackinaw, Illinois. 61755,

              Troy just finished his mammals class and said it was not

              his intention to open up a commercial shop but then

              the last time i spoke to him , he has some customer work

              So we will see. You can reach Troy at 309-303-1684

Nick Reese, is attending right not from northern wisconsin, his dad

              attended Rineharts school of taxidermy .  Nick is a recent high

             school grad who wants to go into business with his dad. He has

             presently mounted a black bear, wild boar, bobcat, and soon an

             otter. He is mounting a mallard landing on the water, a turkey

              full strutt, preening greenwing teal and flushing pheasant.

              You can contact his dad, Matt, at 608-322-5494, or Nick

               at 608-609-0862.

Your Name Here....................................................

                   .Let us help you make your dreams come true too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Quality rather than quantity. This is my goal and has been in the students success rates and in my work ethic.

 I only take three students at a time. If there is a possibility of another student wanting to attend then we bring

 in another excellent taxidermist to assist in the work load so that each student does not have to sit and wait

 for the teacher to complete working with one student in order to proceed. Your mounts are mounts that you

can be proud to display in your showrooms when you graduate, rather than hide in the back room. My students

 have ALL gone on to open up successful taxidermy businesses. I am there for them, in the speed dial of there

phones to answer the questions that they might have when they get back home. This security blanket is absolutely

necessary for a student to feel the confidence that he or she needs to have when performing difficult taxidermy

 tasks back home. The first time you do it on your own, you have questions and feel a little scared , wanting

to do it just right for that customer. I am here. You can call me and I have to tell you, I am not complaining,

but the students do call on me , and I really like that. They trust that I can let them know for sure that,,,,, they

 have learned it right, that they are doing it right.... then I give them a pat on the back and send them back on their ways.

You too can experience what it is like to truely learn taxidermy the right way. The complete way. We do not just

cover the basics..... if a student has some past experience in the field of taxidermy , then we work on advanced

techniques. If a student mounts his first bird without difficulty , then we add some difficulty into the next mount,

using more difficult posing or more difficult, elaborate habitat scenes.

If you check out the students photo gallery , you will see that the mounts that are coming out of here are not simple ones.

 Come join us.

JoAnn