What are the 2 most IMPORTANT things to be a successful taxidermist? (QUALITY is not one of them!!!)

[@michealmonroe1122]

I 100% agree with you that the best way to be honest with your customers.

[@keithstrine21]

Great video! I feel better now from the advise u gave in the video. I Have been practicing whitetail shoulder mounts for friends and family for 2 years now. Was always nervous but appreciated the people who let me practice on there deer. They seem to like what I have done and I always let them know that I am new to taxidermy and most of the time they tell me ... well u gotta learn somehow! And you will get better. Thanks for the videos and i love watching them.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Awesome! Good luck!

[@hunterrowell316]

I just want to thank you for making all your videos I'm doing my own deer this year and your making it so much easier you do a great job at explaining things

[@jarrodmckee9073]

You have put out some great advice, thank you. The best thing a taxidermist can do is promote their trade. I have been doing taxidermy for 20 plus years and a bit of advice I would add is that the best way to improve your skills which will improve your business is to attend some state or national Taxidermy Competitions. The classes and critiques you get from your piers will improve your skills rapidly.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Absolutely correct. I have made friends with multiple local taxidermists and it is amazing what you can learn from different people in the same trade. They all excel in different areas and the more you talk to, the more you see is possible. Heck I learn something new every deer I mount and hope that is always the case.

[@Mexicanredneck9]

I offered my taxidermist extra money to get my hog back early, he said NOPE!! He showed me the racks lined up and said you’re after those lol I respected that.

[@rickalsept4740]

Hi there it's nice to see taxidermy done in different ways by different people with the same result on the finished mount. I enjoy your videos keep them coming. Thank you.

[@dudejrryan]

Great advice! I got friends that bring me work year after year & they word of mouth tell their friends then I do my best to make new friends of them

[@joshcastle360]

When I had my first shoulder mount done 18 years ago it cost $350. My latest cost $650. For the quality and turn around time I’d pay more, taxidermist hard work is under appreciated in my opinion. I’ve been doing Euros for 4 years now and wanting to do a couple shoulder mounts for myself. Thanks for your video uploads.

[@BoneDots]

I just wanted to say I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and videos. I’ve been toying with the idea to move forward with self-employment and your information is super helpful!

[@canislatrans8285]

In my case I like talking about trapping. I have gotten many places to trap over the years through customers who know landowners, or it's the farm they hunt at and can get me on it. I lost 1 spot ( owners nephew something or another happened), but gained another practically right next to the one I lost. And 2 more pending farms, plus anther customer who says he knows all the farm families and can ask around. And yes, I will chat with my customers if they want to chat a little bit.

[@7outdoors4life]

My friend you’re amazing!!! Thank you so much for your honesty and you advices!!!! I do really really want to do this :) now day I have a great job I work for Walmart and been there for 15 years but honestly I’m getting tired of it lol and I’m buy tools and materials little by little to start learning taxidermy!! I Learning a lot watching your videos tooo!

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Thank you!

[@chetmcdonald]

I've been a bird taxidermist for 19 years and I'm just now getting my first deer to mount. All the advice you give is spot on. Ive only had one customer that didn't pay, his bird is still on the wall as a display duck. I'm learning so much from your videos I'm lucky that I live 10 miles from my supplier and it's like money in my pocket.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

That's great. I wish I could have saved all my shipping costs these last couple years!

[@chetmcdonald]

@@thecedarridgechronicles I'm very blessed to live in the little corner of America that has a supplier close by (second to nature, used to be called Dan Chase taxidermy supply). I started out 19 years ago renting videos from them and mounting ducks. I went from finished work looking like Duckzilla to a respectable, beautiful duck mount. Since I'm a hobbiest and not a professional taxidermist my biggest thing is not the money, it's when that 8 year old boy walks in to my studio and sees that Mallard and say, "wow!". My heart hits the roof. I absolutely love bringing animals back from the dead. I've held off on mounting deer because it's hard to come by a cape and I haven't killed a buck yet. I'm more of a duck hunter but now I'm getting into it because when I got 35 days off, it allows me to go on some incredible hunts. In 2019 I killed a big bear in Alaska and in less than 20 days I'll be in the Arctic chasing caribou. I'm going to cape out my caribou and mount it myself after I crank out a few decent deer.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

There is nothing better than mounting an animal for a kid. They get so fired up!

[@stevenskerbetz6134]

Thorough and sound advice. Great video.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Thank you!

[@Lonebowhunter]

In house tanning makes a world of difference don't it!! I agree with your pricing aswell, most guys can't offer all that due to waiting on capes from tanneries! I in house Tan aswell definitely the route to take ! Great videos &merry Christmas

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Thank you. You too!

[@dwwilliams72]

Love your videos, man. Keep em coming

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Thank you!

[@jacobsilveyoutdoors1548]

Great video! Lots of good information and advice. Really appreciate your videos.

[@bmk506]

Your network is your net worth !

[@morganc.m1830]

1:11 literally, the only friends I have and get to even see are at work and we're made at work. My boss is even like a second mom to me. We're very close. So, yes, I definitely disagree with that. It's like the "you can't have fun at work or enjoy your job" too.

[@dhan7072]

Very well said man. Great info! Thank you.

[@davidmingues9553]

How do I find your video list? On one of your videos you said you had done start to finish videos for a shoulder mount. I really like the content of your videos and the pure honesty you put in them . I am tossing around the idea of mounting my own deer this coming year. Thanks in advance,,, David Mingues

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Go to PLAYLISTS and then TAXIDERMY

[@jeremylawson7154]

man this is great info.! thank you for the information/Advice :)

[@HillDogTV]

ah, appreciate this one man. cheers

[@okladoma9782]

Could you do a video on how to actually cut the skull plate without messing it up. You only get one chance on that, and on a really impressive rack it could be disastrous. Also, how do you deal with your customers if you have a hide slip, or if it starts losing hair, etc.? Thanks for all you do.

[@okladoma9782]

I just found your video on cutting the skull plate. That's what I needed. 👌

[@michaelfrost2402]

Great info, your willingness to share is greatly appreciated. I’m thinking hard how I m going to market myself better this next season.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

When I went to the courthouse to get a business license they said all I needed was a "store" license. It isn't expensive, but it is required. A friend of mine was visited by a county employee because he had a taxidermy sign up with no business license and had to take the sign down.

[@str1de777]

Great video! Very helpful information

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Thank you!

[@markhatfield2362]

Love your content and learning loads! Hey you mention deer plaques. I have a family wood shop in Michigan and we build deer blinds, shooting tables and plaques for deer mounts and European mounts. Just wondering if I shipped some to you if you think you could sell them to your customers as another revenue stream for your shop. Happy to discuss if interested . God bless

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

I really appreciate it, but I make my own to save cost. Thanks though!

[@pauleckert2175]

Excellent video

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Thank you

[@jimkeller5538]

I do them in the order I get them but I’m going to give some thought about putting those who pay in full at the front of the line. Thanks

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

I used to do them the order I got them, but I would have half my deer done sitting in the shop waiting to be picked up that had only paid minimum deposit and have folks that paid in full still waiting to get theirs back. The way I charge now creates competition for a spot in line, and people race to pay first. It's great

[@jamescardwell3254]

Thats what I love about my taxidermist here in T.N. he's strait up I do not worry about my deer I know he's got my best interest in mind we shoot archery talk on fb and at the time I met him he still worked a full time job and wasn't taking new customers and my cousin that was in his loop got me in knowing up front he was covered up 15 months latter I never called him aggervated him and have always told him to take his time I was in no hurry he by far is one of the best I know I have deer that are 17yrs old with only minor cracks in the eyes and he's dying to fix them and ask him what says more about your work me showing someone a 17yr old mount with minor cracks or showing them one that looks perfect I said I want people to know that in 17yrs this all they will see and I let them know he will fix them but in your opinion what says more about his work a 17yr old with minor eye cracks that I could fix myself with some black paint and brush or a touched up deer that someone may say in their head how often does he touch that up I know you read most of you comments so what do you think

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

I'd leave it as is unless it's something you can see from across the room. Most people would never look at one close enough to tell anything about it as long as the mount itself looks good

[@jbird8854]

I’ve been watching your videos for a couple of weeks now and you share a lot of information. That’s awesome. Question- I have a deer skull cap and I bought a foam shoulder mount with preset eyes and I’m wanting to learn how to mount my own deer. Where can I purchase a tanned hide? Second question what measurements do I need to take to know what hide I need to order? If that makes sense. I love the art of taxidermy. I wish I would have been interested in this when I was younger. Keep the videos coming brother.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Thanks for watching. You can usually get a cape from a taxidermist year round and also a processor during deer season. You will have to get a cape with the measurements of the form you bought though because each one is size specific. I'll post a link on how to measure.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIrEgpqYg8uBd9k

[@jbird8854]

Thanks

[@truthmatters4ever247]

First, you have to be in the right area to make a living to do taxidermy. If you live in a blue collar area you won't make a lot of money at it. In a white collar area you can charge what you want.

[@darkhillseuropeanmountsLLC]

I'm on my fist year having my European Mount business full time as my job and I've had a blast. I've been doing this for over 6 years only 3 years as a business and one year full time. Thanks for the video I am now a subscriber. Any tips and tricks I can get help man thanks again brother

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Awesome! Congratulations!

[@darkhillseuropeanmountsLLC]

@@thecedarridgechronicles thank you

[@keithcampbell8363]

Its all communication, its easy , right, and the only way to be, common sense also lol

[@jasonrigsby6190]

The other side to paid in full is that once you’ve paid, there’s no rush on your mounts. The taxidermist has your money…. Good for you for not being that guy!

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Yessir! It pays to research who you leave your buck with. Also, there is no reason for the taxi to need to keep your antlers until it is time to mount the buck so if there is any doubt, take them with you!

[@zachkennedy9282]

yup I 100 % agree. quality ain't shit. just give me a crap mount :/

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

I charge extra for that

[@shireanglin]

She would leeeave me, I promise… damn straight, deer talk with the wifey 😂😂😂😂

[@nathanjohnson7781]

I have a hard question. What do you do when someone brings a deer in and it have slippage. You you didn’t find out until after you have tanned it?

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

I'll call them and ask them how long it was before they put it in a freezer after they killed it. 99% of the time it was way too long or not at all. Then I give them options to find another cape, or use the current one and repair the best I can, but they know ahead of time what to expect.

[@michaelfrost2402]

Does Alabama require any business type license to practice and sell taxidermy. I am aware of specific species permits ie bobcat. I can’t find a clear answer on a business license via the Internet. What say you?

[@chetmcdonald]

I'm going to use your system for deer mounting to mount my first deer. My business goal is to be a full service taxidermist by the time I retire so supplement my income. I work overseas on a 5/5 week schedule so that gives me lots of time off. I've built up a fantastic reputation and 1/2 of my business is repeat business but I'm really want to branch out to deer. What's a good resource to aquire capes to practice on?

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

There are a few options. The easiest would be to contact a local taxidermist and buy a cape from them as they will probably have extras. During deer season you can get them from processors, but will have to pay them also usually. What I did was ask friends to save capes of of deer they didn't plan to mount and I would use those to mount deer I had from when I was younger that I ad cut the antlers off of.

[@chetmcdonald]

@@thecedarridgechronicles never thought about going to a processor.

[@adamhowel3683]

Do you charge extra for resizing a head..not a change out head??? I never get deer with 7 inch faces...I get small to large necks with narrow 8 inch faces...what about change out nose...all my deer get a change out nose...I don't like foam noses...is that "commercial"...mount???

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

I don't charge extra for a resize, but I've only had to do 2. You must be up north of me. Nearly every deer I get is between a 6 3/4 to a 7 1/4 inch nose. I do more 7's than any size, but most of our mature bucks weigh close to 180 lbs on average. I don't use change out noses, but I would definitely charge extra for that

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Have you used Ben Mears forms out of Mississippi?

[@brettscott6030]

Love videos brother, I’m in my second year, and looking to increase my numbers this year. Also, off subject, do you have hunters from out of state use you? If so what’s the process to ensure cape is in good shape when received

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Thank you for watching! I don't do any shipping out of state, but I do a lot of local taxidermy for guys that hunt out of state. The deer must be caped to bring across state lines, so I made some videos of how to cape deer off the body and skull for folks that don't want to pay a taxidermist out of state to do it. Main thing then is getting that cape frozen. If there is absolutely no way to freeze, it has to be packed and surrounded by ice in enough garbage bags to stay dry. The worst thing a customer can do is have the cape sit in water from melted ice. The hair will slip worse than if it rotted. I use a dry bag meant for kayaking to put the cape in and then cover it in ice.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Most hunters just don't know to keep the cape out of water, or they think if it's off the deer, it won't rot if it's "cold outside" which is usually too warm to store a cape. Plus bacteria is what does the damage to the hair follicles, so even when you can hang a deer overnight due to cold weather, if it is not below freezing, the cape is not safe from slippage because the bacteria won't go dormant. The more educated you can get you out of state guys on all of this, the better capes you will get for sure.

[@011CJ]

Well this is going to be easy I already had to quit my job to stay home with the kids lol. what is the average amount of time it takes you to do a basic shoulder mount ?

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

3 weeks start to finish roughly depending on drying times

[@011CJ]

@@thecedarridgechronicles thanks for the reply . I absolutely love how you make the wrinkles in the skin look I absolutely love your work maybe one day I can send you some work but I guess I need to get myself a deer first lol. thanks again for the vids They are enjoying to watch

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Really appreciate it. Thank you!

[@Jeremymorrow079]

Not a taxidermist but don’t see how you make dime on charging $500 for a shoulder mount. Had one done here in Virginia and ordered my own pre fab habitat from McKenzie and the shipping is insane!!! They don’t even let you know what the shipping is till after order is placed. I hope they give you as a taxidermist some sort of discount for buying in bulk

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

They do. Otherwise I would have to charge way more. I have to order in bulk to get my discounts then I also go pick up my forms so I don’t pay any shipping on most of them. I make it up in other ways to such as making my own plaques and the revenue generated from this channel. It’s a shame shipping has skyrocketed so badly since 2020. It is nearly 4 times as expensive as it was 3 years ago.

[@rob701TurkeyGuy]

$500 cheap. Everyone here charging 850-950 because thats what everyone else is doing mentality.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Yeah I bucked the system here. I got tired of paying that myself. No more.

[@rob701TurkeyGuy]

Do you tell the customers this is your system?

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Yes absolutely

[@truthmatters4ever247]

You are charging what I did 20 years ago. You are way to cheap. With the cost of supplies and shipping these days the price of a deer mount should be at least a 1000.

[@natemartz5173]

i wish i could pay an extra $100 to get my deer back right away 😂

[@smellygoatacres]

Your business, obviously you can run it however you wish, but there's no way I'd use you. If youre so concerned about not getting your balance, require the full amount. To let those who can afford to drop $500 skip ahead of those who might just have $250 right now is arbitrary. I enjoy your videos and found them specifically because I want to do my own mounts, vs spending $1000 per year on a couple of shoulder mounts. Your way may fly down there but it sure wouldn't around my parts. You'd get business, but only because the others would be booked.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

It works perfectly down here. It gives people the option to pay or wait. People are different than they used to be and don't care about punctuality. I spent years holding onto mounts for months at a time without getting paid because customers would "get them when they got a chance". That don't pay bills when you are full time and I'm not missing a payment to support someone else's hobby.

[@dennybirchfield]

How long have you been a taxi

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

This is my 10th year total, 3rd full time

[@nellydude255]

At what point do I check in with the Taxidermist to understand when my Shoulder Mount will be done (currently at ~11months)?

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

A lot of it depends on when you brought it and how he does the order in which he mounts them. A good rule of thumb is 1 year turnaround because we have to take enough to last a year in order to make a living. Some taxidermists get years behind which usually means they took too many since there are overlapping seasons, but just for reference, I have 12 left from last season right now and I will be completely done with deer from last year.

[@ashtongriffin3555]

Bro thats so cheap, its over 2k here in NZ

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

I would be interested to know the cost of all the supplies and whether or not they were made there or imported. Much of the cost I’m able to save is by picking up supplies locally from companies who actually make the products on site. It saves me about 30% off of retail if the same was ordered, and even what I do have to order, none of it would have to be imported.

[@bradcorrea9963]

I have no idea how you are in business, with that business plan The more you pay the quicker you get your product,, WOW, I been running my own business for the last 23 years. The min. I get a deposit that customer gets put on my calendar and that's where they stay they don't get bumped to the top if they pay me in full. You actually think that your building a personal relationship with your clients. No not at all, your building a relationship with their bank account. That's all. Wow.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

I tried that for years. You get hung with too many deer that aren't paid for. The guys that plan on paying usually have the money before the season ever starts. Everyone understands my plan and my customers love it. They know going in what to expect. I'll never mount another deer for a minimum deposit and have that deer for years in my shop while another customer who payed in full has to wait.

[@brucefoster317]

Don't worry about quality? You are a big hack taxidermist and a perfect model for crap taxidermy.

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

Yeah it sucks turning down hundreds of deer every year because I’m always full

[@thecedarridgechronicles]

You obviously didn’t watch the video