Learn Taxidermy

Learn Taxidermy from a Professional
Taxidermist, Mark Ditzel

New and advanced curriculum to keep you on top of
today's ever changing taxidermy industry

*Fish Taxidermy

*Bird Taxidermy

*Game Head Taxidermy

*Lifesize Taxidermy

*Rug Taxidermy

*Additional Curriculum

FULL NINE WEEK COURSE

Call for Times and Dates

This session is our complete residential 9 week course including 360
hours of intensive training in the five major areas of taxidermy: game
heads, fish, birds, lifesize, and rugs. Also included are demonstrations
and instruction in airbrushing, habitat, fiberglassing, reproductions,
mold making, rock building, business, and so much more.

1) Learn Fish Taxidermy!

Students will learn The Ditzel's Taxidermy and Wildlife Artistry award
winning techniques for flexible fins, open gills, lifelike coloration and
finish. All fish are mounted on an anatomically accurate carved
styrofoam body. Students are also instructed in molding and casting of
fiberglass reproductions.

Includes: • Specimen handling and care • Skinning and fleshing •
Measurements and pattern making • Body fabrication (carved foam) •
Reconstruction of fleshy areas • Repairs • Gill and flexible fin treatment •
Airbrush coloration • Habitat construction and design • Marketing

Students will usually complete 4 - 8 assorted fish mounts. We
encourage students to bring good mountable specimens from their area
as some may not be available to us. For students unable to attain fish to
mount, a selection will be provided by Ditzel's Taxidermy and Wildlife
Artistry. This portion consists of approximately 80 hours of training!

THIS FISH PORTION IS NOW OFFERED

AS AN INDIVIDUAL SPECIALTY COURSE

*THIS IS THE SAME 80 HOURS OF INDEPTH TRAINING

TWO WEEK SESSION        $1800.00

2) Bird Taxidermy!

Upland game birds and waterfowl will comprise the bird portion of the
course. Students will experience the beauty of Mother Nature at her
finest and will acquire the knowledge and ability to artistically recreate
her winged creatures.

Includes: • Specimen handling and care • Feather placement • Body
preparation • Skinning and fleshing • Airbrush coloration • Mounting •
Habitat Arrangement • Marketing

Each student will usually complete 2 - 3 game birds. This will not apply
to large birds, such as turkeys or geese. Students who choose to do
large specimens are often faced with limited time constraints.
Specimens may be provided by students

or may be purchased from Ditzel's Taxidermy and Wildlife Artistry.
Students will be instructed in specimen handling and care, skinning

and fleshing, body preparation, mounting, feather placement, and
habitat construction. Students will also be instructed in the proper use
of synthetic heads and feet....a major breakthrough in accuracy, speed
and longevity of the mount. This portion consists of approximately 80
hours of training!

THIS BIRD PORTION IS NOW OFFERED
AS AN INDIVIDUAL SPECIALTY COURSE

TWO WEEK SESSION        $1800.00

*THIS IS THE SAME 80 HOURS OF INDEPTH TRAINING

Call of Times Dates and Details

THIS TANNING PORTION IS NOW OFFERED

WITHIN A SPECIALTY COURSE

THREE WEEK SESSION*

*THIS IS THE SAME 80 HOURS OF INDEPTH TRAINING FROM OUR

FULL NINE WEEK COURSE! AND THE SAME 40 HOURS OF

FLESHING AND TANNING!

THIS GAME HEAD PORTION IS NOW OFFERED AS

AN INDIVIDUAL SPECIALTY COURSE

THREE WEEK SESSION*

(THIS SESSION INCLUDES THE TANNING PROCESS)

*THIS IS THE SAME 120 HOURS OF INDEPTH TRAINING

FROM OUR FULL NINE WEEK COURSE!

TWO WEEK SESSION*              $1800.00

(THIS SESSION DOES NOT INCLUDE TANNING -

READY TO MOUNT CAPES REQUIRED)

*THIS IS THE SAME 80 HOURS OF INDEPTH TRAINING

FROM OUR FULL NINE WEEK COURSE!

3) Learn Game Head Taxidermy!

Each year thousands of game heads find their way into the hands of
taxidermists across the country. Students will learn anatomy along with
Mark Ditzel's mounting methods which puts him far ahead of the
competition, We are not interested in speed, We are realism, high quality
and durability.

Includes: • Specimen handling and care • Measurements • Skinning and
fleshing • Coding • Salting • Complete tanning • Form selection and
preparation • Mounting • Finishing • Marketing

Each student will usually complete two game heads during this portion
of the course. The school carries a large selection of deer ,Sheep and
boar's

Students may bring their own game heads or they may be purchased
from Ditzel's Taxidermy and Wildlife Artistry.

This portion consists of approximately 80 hours of training!

4) Learn Lifesize Taxidermy!

From the curiosity in the eyes of the playful raccoon to the cunning look
on the face of a stalking cougar, our students will acquire the skill and
knowledge to successfully mount the many mammals he will encounter
in his business.

Includes: • Specimen handling and care • Measurements • Skinning and
fleshing • Hide treatment • Complete tanning • Form selection •
Mounting • Finishing • Base making • Marketing

Each student will usually mount one large life size and, time permitting,
one small life size mammal during the nine week session.

5) Learn Rug Taxidermy!

Rugs are a very important facet of a taxidermy business. The Ditzel's
Taxiderm and Wildlife Artistry processes many beautiful rugs each year
including raccoon, fox, coyote, wolf, bear, and sheep. Every student will
learn our studio's technique to produce beautiful, quality rugs.

Includes: • Specimen handling and care • Skinning and fleshing •
Complete tanning • Head mounting • Open mouth technique • Stretching
• Felt application • Sewing procedure • Marketing

Each student will learn the technique of rug making and if the time is
available, may complete one fur rug. Furs available are the same as
those for mammals.

Additional Curriculum

Base Making

Natural bases, realistic to the animal's habitat, adds life to a quality
mount. Each student will receive instruction in a variety of habitat
construction including techniques for creating artificial snow, ice, water,
foliage, rocks, etc. Students will design and construct their own
dioramas.

Tanning

A variety of hide preservation methods will be discussed, however
capes and hides mounted by the student will be tanned in our studio
using a salt and acid pickle followed by a synthetic immersion tan and
oil. Quality leather and furs are no accident and are essential for
premium work.

Fiberglass / Graphite Fish Reproductions

Catch and release fishing is the wave of the future. Students are
instructed in casting and reproducing fish from the actual specimen, as
well as finishing and painting commercial reproductions. Many
taxidermists turn away thousands of dollars of business each year
because they lack knowledge to handle these trophies. You will learn
the Ditzels Taxidermy and Wildlife Artistry method for recreating realistic
customer pleasing reproduction.

Form Alteration

Mark Ditzel is a talented accomplished sculptors who will instruct you in
time saving techniques used to alter size, pose, anatomy as well as
attitude. Taxidermists who use only stock forms are very limited in the
variety of mounts they can produce.

Anatomy

We'd like to give you the education of a veterinarian, but face it ... in
nine weeks we'll have to settle for less. However, a basic understanding
of the anatomy of the animals a student will be working with is
essential. Students will learn to apply veining, accent muscle detail and
give expression to mounts.

Business

Each student will be advised in proper business practices beginning
with building a business from the ground up and advertising that works.
Students will receive instruction on accurately pricing their work by
evaluating costs per hour and overhead.

Laws

State and Federal regulations and how they affect the taxidermist will be
covered. Federal migratory bird record keeping is also included.
Students will be assisted in the completion of State and Federal license
applications.

Reference Filing

Collecting and filing photos, sketches, measurements, and related data
and instruction in the proper use of each is necessary to the
construction of quality mounts. This will prove invaluable to the
beginning taxidermist as well as veterans alike. The reputation of the
Ditzel's Taxidermy and Wildlife Artistry relies heavily on the accuracy of
the reference material used in producing mounts shown in the photos in
this web site.

Enrollment Information

Nine Week Tuition

The tuition of the FULL NINE WEEK COURSE of taxidermy training is
$7,400.00*. Students will encounter no hidden costs during the training
program. Tuition includes all tools and equipment to be used while in
school, chemicals, glues, paint, and incidental expendable supplies. In
addition, students will receive a tool box complete with basic tools used
every day including: skinning knives, calipers, tape measure, shearers,
fish skinning knife, apron, and much, much more. Tuition includes
instruction in all techniques used by the Ditzel's Taxidermy and Wildlife
Artistry, and all trade secrets. Students will receive fish patterns and
paint schedules as well as a large variety of supply catalogs. Each
student will be issued dry storage bins for furs, hides, horns, and
personal items as well as freezer storage needed for fish, birds, and
small animals.

*TUITION DOES NOT INCLUDE THE REQUIRED SPECIMENS AND
FORMS.

Specialty Course Tuition

The specialty courses now being offered follow a separate price
structure and schedule. The specialty courses all require a $500.00
deposit to secure enrollment. This $500.00 deposit is applied to the
tuition fee with the remainder due on or before the first day of class.
Enroll in three consecutive Specialty Courses and receive a 10% refund.
Refund will be issued upon completion of third course. $300.00 of the
$500.00 deposit is refundable if the student is accepted but chooses to
cancel less than 60 days prior to the first day of the training program.
TUITION DOES NOT INCLUDE THE REQUIRED SPECIMENS AND FORMS.

Specialty Course Enrollment

The specialty courses all require a $500.00 deposit to secure enrollment.
This $500 deposit is applied to the tuition fee with the remainder due on
or before the first day of class. Enroll in three consecutive specialty
courses and receive a 10% refund. Refund will be issued upon
completion of third course.

Class Length

The Mark Ditzel's School of Taxidermy is a nine week residential training
program. Class is held Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Also offered are specialty courses and week-end seminars.

Mark Ditzel is very proud of our training program and the students we
train. The world of taxidermy is a fascinating, rewarding profession and
if you love the outdoors, hunting, and fishing, a career in taxidermy
could be just right for you!