Study Reference!

I RECENTLY JUDGED GAMEHEADS AT a state show, and my final comments at the bottom of the score sheets were repeated like a broken record: STUDY REFERENCE! It’s the most common and popular comment made to taxidermists. Everybody says it, and we act like we know it, but few actually do it. I know most taxidermists are not using much reference because it is so obvious in their work. I have probably already bored and lost most of my readers because it’s the same old song and dance they never were interested in anyway.

Everyone would be a true master taxidermist if a gimmick or cheap crash course could alleviate ignorance. The problem lies in the fact that becoming proficient at taxidermy requires a tremendous amount of effort while consuming a considerable amount of time and money. Anyone who is disinclined to extending any effort towards obtaining and using reference materials will consistently produce substandard quality work. The inaccuracy of simply guessing can hold a taxidermist to a dilettante stage of ability, regardless of numerous years of experience...
 

...Continued in the Spring 2004 Issue of Breakthrough.

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