FAQ

Do you taxidermy pets?

I do not offer any services for pets. I have however compiled a list of other taxidermists that do offer services for pets as well as a basic list of information for anyone seeking out information on pet taxidermy. Please find all of this information on the Pets page.

Do you taxidermy road kill?

Yes, I am always happy to try and work on a road kill specimen; however please make sure you are following the laws regarding road kill for your state. In many states you will need a special permit to have a road kill animal in your possession and/or mounted for taxidermy. You can call your local Fish and Game department to find out this information. Also please be aware when it comes to road kill, you need to keep in mind what kind of shape it is in. Some animals are too far gone and others have been destroyed due to the elements. These specimens may be hard to bring back to life.

I have an owl, will you taxidermy it?

Absolutely not! There are many laws regarding birds and they are federally protected. If you bring me an owl or other protected bird I will not mount this in any situation. This is illegal even to possess. If you come across a deceased owl, please just leave it be.

Are you accepting apprentices/internships?

I am not looking for any apprentices and do not offer any internships. I have many students that reach out that are in need of mentors for school projects and such, as much as I would love to help everyone, I am not able to give my time to these situations.

Can I ship an animal to you (within the US)? And how do I ship it?

I am happy to taxidermy animals from out of state. Make sure to have all of your proper documentation before shipping to me; and please reach out to me prior to shipping an animal. To ship an item, I recommend shipping in an insulated box, some people use home insulation. You will want to make sure the animal is completely frozen and place some ice packs or frozen water bottles in there (sealed EXTREMELY well!!). Depending on how far away you are from me and the time of year, will depend on which shipping carrier you would like to use. Always ship on a Monday or a Tuesday and bring your package at the end of the day that way it isn’t sitting out defrosting all day. I have had great luck with USPS in the past but you may also use UPS or Fedex. Priority shipping is usually fine; however certain situations may require overnight or 2 day shipping. Please contact me regarding more details for a specific situation.

I want to learn taxidermy! Where/how can I learn?

I do currently offer small group classes for a variety of small animals. These classes are great for beginners looking to get into the taxidermy trade. Please head over to the Classes page to see what is currently available.

Are there any animals you currently don’t work on?

Currently, I offer mammals and birds only. I do not currently offer fish or reptiles.

What training do you have?

My taxidermy training started with a class at the Harvard Natural History Museum in Boston, MA with Mickey Alice Kwapis. After a year or so I attended a three day taxidermy class with award winning taxidermist Amy Ritchie Carter of Amy’s Animal Art Taxidermy. I also attend local competitions and classes to continue to my learning.

Do I need a license to do taxidermy?

If you are thinking of getting into taxidermy whether for a hobby or professionally, I do advise obtaining a license from your local Fish and Game department. It is very important to be following all of the laws and guidelines because we are working with Fish and Game to protect all of the animal species. I also have a furbearer’s permit and a trapping permit, and even though I do not trap myself, having these permits allows me to be able to legally acquire species. Taxidermy is something you certainly need to do your research on. Make a list of all of your questions and give your local Fish and Game a call, they are always extremely informative and happy to give you information.

Do you offer repair work?

I do not offer repair work at this time. There are a lot of factors that go into doing repair and cleaning of taxidermy. I would recommend a studio that specializes in restoration such as Wildlife Preservations located in Woodland Park, NJ or Gotham Taxidermy located in Brooklyn, NY. Please keep in mind I do not know the current workload of these taxidermists, you will need to reach out to them directly to check with their restoration services.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any further questions!