Kindred Spirits School of Taxidermy

We help you make your dreams come true!

Session Dates

2010 Class Session Calendar Kindred Spirits School of Taxidermy

January 11th...........................January 23rd....................Birds

January 25th...........................February 6th.....................Gameheads

February 8th...........................February 20th..................Lifesize/Mammals

February 22nd........................March 6th........................Fish

March 8th...............................March 20th......................Birds

March 22nd............................April 3rd..........................Gameheads

April 5th..................................April 17th.........................Lifesize/Mammals

April 19th................................May 1st........................... Fish

May 3rd...................................May 15th........................Birds

May 17th................................May 29th..........................Gameheads

May 31st.................................June 12th..........................Lifesize/Mammals

June 14th.................................June 26th.........................Fish

Session Break June 28th to July 4th

July 5th....................................July 17th...........................Birds

July 19th..................................July 31st...........................Gameheads

August 2nd...............................August 14th.....................Lifesize/Mammals

August 16th..............................August 28th.....................Fish

August 30th...............................September 11.................Birds

September 13th........................September 25th...............Gameheads

September 27th........................October 9th.................... Lifesize/Mammals

October 11th............................October 23rd..................Fish  

October 25th............................November 6th.................Birds

November 8th...........................November 20th...............Gameheads

November 29th.........................December 11th................Lifesize/Mammals

December 13th..........................December 18th................Make up

That is six rotations through the main classes, Turkeys are taught during

the Bird Section. Occasionally we have added additional sessions for

gameheads if there is enoughj interest,

call us for further information.

 

 

110 North Gear Ave.

West Burlington, Iowa 52655

319-753-0929

JoAnn Waddell

Carey Owens............ 319-572-2909

 

 

 

 

All classes are subject to change depending on enrollment and class size, but we

 have not had to cancell a class yet, Usually the classes are filled up at least two

months in advance. Please contact us periodically to make sure that the class that

 you are interested in is not been filled, or send a deposit to hold your place in a

 certain session, whatever is best for you to be able to make plans.

 You can enroll on an open entry/open exit basis, which means

that you can jump in and out at different times of the year of even the next

year depending on your available time off to attend and our available

 class openings. We will customize the courses for each student depending

 on what you want to learn and what you already know.

Not all students are beginners, some may have already attended

classes at other schools and have just not been satisfied and want to

 learn more. Some want some advanced training to take them to the

 next level. Specimens, forms, eyes, earliners, jawsets, heads, bodies,

wires and habitat materials are not provided with the tuition. The tuition

 just covers the instruction, instructional materials, and the large tool kit,

binders, business forms, etc. Specimens brought into the classroom

must hold legal tags, proof, cites tags, or hunting or trapping license

information. No road killswith out salvage tags, etc.

The school reserves the right to increase the tuition costs during the

course of the year. Brochure    prices quoted are good for 60 days

 from the date of the postmark of delivery. Deposits must be

received two weeks in advance of the reservation confirmation.

 Balances of the tuition are due upon the start date of the class.

 The teaching of business, bookkeeping, website building, business

card design, and pricing brochure and advertising, marketing tips ,

etc, are gone over in each class, unless you have taken that information

 in a previous class .  Each two week course is $1,700 . 

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

 

Specimen Fees

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.

Hours.

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.

Contact Info Past Students

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 Taxidermy, 38831 308th St., Bellevue,Ia. 52031

                       319-310-7800

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

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 Eagle Taxidermy . Keegan is Gamehead and

            Bird Taxidermy specialist.

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. Ron is

             presently mounting gameheads, and is coming back in

             2010 for the bird classes.

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.

Steven Everingham, Shamrock Taxidermy , 2029 Co.Rd.1037,

            Montgomery City, Mo. 63361  573-386-3856

             Steven is a graduate of the full course and doing a great job !

Blaine Mills,       under construction, working to complete , check back.

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

Success Rate

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