Close to Nature School of Taxidermy is only holding basic whitetail academy courses right now. More courses are planned for the near future. Keep checking in for announcements on new courses.

BASIC WHITETAIL ACADEMY (5 day course)
Shoulder Mount Course
European skull mount instruction
Antler plaque instruction
Deer feet gun rack
Cleaning and repairs
**Students must bring their own whitetail cape (cape must be untanned and frozen) and antlers for mounting. Whitetail capes and antlers are available for purchase if needed.**

Monday- Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm (lunch will be provided during a 1-hour block of time)

Tuition includes:
– Education
– Basic materials to mount a basic whitetail deer shoulder mount.
– Frazier whitetail deer mannikin
– Fabric earliners
– Glass eyes
– Hanger
– 1 wall mount whitetail deer shoulder mount

(Students must bring their own deer cape and antlers. These items are also available for purchase, but must be communicated in advance.)

Provided daily: lunch, snacks, and drinks during course time.
– Taxidermy supply company catalogs
– Option to keep the tools you use in class  **See info below for details.**

**Keep your tools option**
Add $1,200 to the tuition
Most tools that the student will use and a mounting stand are included in this package option.

Click here to request an email for a list of tools in this option

Basic whitetail academy tuition includes cost for one classroom instructed basic wall mounted whitetail shoulder mount. Students may mount a 2nd deer shoulder mount during down time if course time allows. (Please call and make arrangements when enrolling.)
Note: the 2nd mount materials are NOT included in tuition cost. These material costs will be added at the end of the course.

DAY 1:
Introduction
Go over class expectations and designate workspace and tools
Tool inventory
Chart measuring overview with specimen
Caping
Skull cap removal, cleaning and preserving
Cape preparation for tanning
Turning of lips, eyes, ears, and nose
Tagging cape for tanning
Tan cape in autotanner
Fleshing machine instruction
Measure tanned cape for mannikin
Explanation of different types of tanning techniques
Explanation of different mannikin/taxidermy supplier options
Fill out each student’s order forms for materials

DAY 2:
How to make hide glue instructions
Antler plaque course
Euro mount course
Deer foot gun rack course
Cape mounting preparation
Show different types of sewing techniques
Ear cartilage removal
Explanation of different ear techniques

DAY 3:
Verify all received materials
Mannikin prep details
Install antlers on mannikin
Mache skull cap
Hanger installation
Earliner installation
How to clay eyes and claying mannikin as needed
Hide glue/paste installation
Taxiing cape onto mannikin and pinning into place
Face mounting techniques
Sewing up the back of mannikin

DAY 4:
**Complete any incomplete mounting from the day before if needed.**
Stapling and trimming access cape on back of mount
Grooming and carding techniques
Final adjustments
Explanation of drying time
Antler repair techniques
Finish class projects from Day 2

DAY 5:
FINISHING WORK WILL BE TAUGHT ON A DRIED READY MOUNT
Removal of all pins
Carding removal
Blow out hide and groom
Prep face for airbrushing
Apoxie sculpt nose, ears, and eyes
Explain airbrush techniques
Airbrush facial/ear areas
Show different nose finishing techniques
Clear coat nose
Final grooming
Final evaluation of student mount
Present student with certificate of completion
Individual and class photos
Completion of course