
Learn Taxidermy From an Award-Winning Professional
If you’ve ever wanted to learn taxidermy the right way, there’s no substitute for hands-on experience.
At Lone Leaf Taxidermy School, you’ll work alongside an experienced professional in a working taxidermy studio—not just watch demonstrations from the back of a classroom.
Whether your goal is to mount your own trophies, start a business, or simply learn a new skill, our courses are designed to give you practical experience you can build on long after class ends.
Hands-On Training That Builds Confidence
Reading books and watching videos can only teach so much.
Our classes are built around actually doing the work. You’ll learn each step of the process while receiving one-on-one guidance throughout the course.
Because class sizes are intentionally kept small, every student has the opportunity to ask questions, practice techniques, and receive personalized instruction.


What You’ll Learn
Course topics may include:
- Proper specimen preparation
- Skinning techniques
- Hide preservation
- Form selection and fitting
- Mounting methods
- Sewing and finishing techniques
- Airbrushing and detailing
- Habitat basics
- Proper care and maintenance of finished mounts
Every lesson is designed around techniques used in a professional taxidermy shop—not simply textbook instruction.
Small Classes. Better Instruction.
We intentionally limit each class to seven students.
Smaller classes allow for more individual instruction, more opportunities to ask questions, and more hands-on experience throughout the course.
A minimum of two students is required for each class.


Learn in a Professional Studio
Training takes place inside Lone Leaf Taxidermy’s working shop, giving students the opportunity to learn in the same environment where professional mounts are created every day.
You’ll gain experience using professional tools, techniques, and workflows while seeing what day-to-day life as a taxidermist really looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Class Policies
To ensure every student has the best possible experience:
- Class size is limited to seven students.
- A minimum of two students is required.
- Deposits are non-refundable.
- Remaining balances are due before class begins.


Ready to Learn?
Whether you’re looking to mount your own trophies or pursue taxidermy professionally, Lone Leaf Taxidermy School provides hands-on training and personalized instruction to help you succeed.
Contact us today to learn about upcoming classes and reserve your seat.
2 Day Smallmouth Reproduction Fish Painting Course – 2 SPOTS AVAILABLE!
September 7 – 8, 2026
2 Day Smallmouth Reproduction Fish Painting Course
Details: In this two day course, you will take a replica smallmouth and paint it from start to finish learning proper airbrush techniques, hand painting, and scale tipping. This course will give you a systematic approach to painting any fish. Building proper depth into paint work will improve your paint skills in all areas of taxidermy. It will also allow you to offer fish painting services to your clients. If you have ever wanted to try your hand at painting fish at the highest level, this is the class for you. No experiance needed.
Materials Needed: Students will be required to bring a smallmouth reproduction of their choosing. Students are encouraged to bring their own air brush or one can be provided for you. All other supplies will be provided.
Cost: $1,250
*Class size limited to 4 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Whitetail A – Z – CLASS IS FULL!
September 21 – 25, 2026
Whitetail A – Z
Details: This is our most popular 5 day course for beginners and those looking to improve their skills on whitetail in this fast paced class. Starting with a raw whitetail, we show you how to skin and prep for the tannery. Each student will have a raw skin of their own to work on and to take home with them to complete. Day two, we will each work on a provided tanned whitetail skin that will later be mounted in the class. Each student will prep their skin and mount their own deer in this class. We will teach how to fit and recreate anatomical details of the whitetail deer throughout this class. On the last day, we will demonstrate how to finish your mount with a whitetail that has been mounted and dried.
We will also discuss pricing your work and business strategies to help you be successful. This is a huge amount of information in a short amount of time. Everything you need to know about mounting a whitetail deer from start to finish.
Materials Needed: Small to medium set of antlers
Cost: $2,650 (Cost includes raw whitetail cape, tanned whitetail cape and use of all materials and tools needed for the completion of the mount.)
*Class size limited to 7 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Whitetail A – Z – CLASS IS FULL!
October 12 – 16, 2026
Whitetail A – Z
Details: This is our most popular 5 day course for beginners and those looking to improve their skills on whitetail in this fast paced class. Starting with a raw whitetail, we show you how to skin and prep for the tannery. Each student will have a raw skin of their own to work on and to take home with them to complete. Day two, we will each work on a provided tanned whitetail skin that will later be mounted in the class. Each student will prep their skin and mount their own deer in this class. We will teach how to fit and recreate anatomical details of the whitetail deer throughout this class. On the last day, we will demonstrate how to finish your mount with a whitetail that has been mounted and dried.
We will also discuss pricing your work and business strategies to help you be successful. This is a huge amount of information in a short amount of time. Everything you need to know about mounting a whitetail deer from start to finish.
Materials Needed: Small to medium set of antlers
Cost: $2,650 (Cost includes raw whitetail cape, tanned whitetail cape and use of all materials and tools needed for the completion of the mount.)
*Class size limited to 7 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Whitetail A – Z – 5 SPOTS LEFT!
January 4 – 8, 2027
Whitetail A – Z
Details: This is our most popular 5 day course for beginners and those looking to improve their skills on whitetail in this fast paced class. Starting with a raw whitetail, we show you how to skin and prep for the tannery. Each student will have a raw skin of their own to work on and to take home with them to complete. Day two, we will each work on a provided tanned whitetail skin that will later be mounted in the class. Each student will prep their skin and mount their own deer in this class. We will teach how to fit and recreate anatomical details of the whitetail deer throughout this class. On the last day, we will demonstrate how to finish your mount with a whitetail that has been mounted and dried.
We will also discuss pricing your work and business strategies to help you be successful. This is a huge amount of information in a short amount of time. Everything you need to know about mounting a whitetail deer from start to finish.
Materials Needed: Small to medium set of antlers
Cost: $2,700 (Cost includes raw whitetail cape, tanned whitetail cape and use of all materials and tools needed for the completion of the mount.)
*Class size limited to 7 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Beginner Waterfowl Course –
January 18 – 20, 2027
3 Day Beginner Waterfowl Course
Details: The demand for avian taxidermy is at an all-time high. In this class, we will show you each step needed in learning to reproduce these stunning birds. This is an excellent time to jump in and learn how to mount these challenging birds. We will focus on a flying bird in this course to learn basic anatomy. Students will mount a bird from start to finish in this fast paced class.
Materials Needed: None, we provide all materials, tools and supplies including specimen. Students will keep their bird.
Cost: $1,800
*Class size limited to 5 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Whitetail Refresher Course – 4 SPOTS LEFT!
January 25 – 27, 2027
Details: This is a great class for our Whitetail A – Z students. In this course, students will provide all supplies and will mount a whitetail deer at Lone Leaf Taxidermy. We have found that overseeing our students’ work in progress allows us to fine-tune their skills. This is a much needed course as a follow up to our Whitetail A – Z Class. I encourage students to bring a client’s deer to help pay for their course and also speeds up the learning curve. It’s easy to get side tracked and learn bad habits and this class helps get you back on the right track. Students will see a significant improvement after this class.
Materials Needed: Students will provide all supplies necessary for mounting their deer. Lone Leaf Taxidermy will provide any needed tools.
Cost: $1,200
*Class size limited to 5 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
2 Day Whitetail Finishing Course – 4 SPOTS LEFT!
January 28 – 29, 2027
Details: In this class students will bring 2 – 3 completed and dried whitetail deer mounts. Students will practice proper finishing techniques (epoxy work, painting, and texturing). Proper finishing techniques are a must to do great taxidermy work.
Materials Needed: Students will provide 2 -3 dried whitetail deer mounts, airbrush, paints, epoxy, and misc. tools needed to finish their deer.
Cost: $800
*Class size limited to 5 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
Coyote Shoulder Mount Course –
February 1 – 2, 2027
Details: Details: In the two day class, students will learn how to prep and fit their tanned skin. It will include alterations, reference study, and proper anatomical recreation throughout the mounting process. We will also discuss and demonstrate proper finishing techniques. Predators can create difficult challenges in this course we will be studying facial anatomical features. This fun two day class will get you a jump start in mammal taxidermy. We follow this course with our three day lifesize mammal class for students that want a little more of a challenge.
Materials: Lone Leaf Taxidermy will provide all materials.
Cost: $
*Class size limited to 5 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
Lifesize Raccoon Course –
February 3 – 5, 2027
Details: In this fun three day course, students will learn proper fit, manikin alterations, and the fine details of lifesize mammal taxidermy. The raccoon is a great species to learn from as it poses similar challenges to larger lifesize mammals but on a much smaller scale. This is one of our most popular classes for anyone wanting to learn mammal taxidermy. We highly recommend beginner or intermediate students take this course.
Materials: Lone Leaf Taxidermy will provide all materials needed for this class.
Cost: $
*Class size limited to 5 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Whitetail A – Z – 5 SPOTS LEFT!
February 8 – 12, 2027
Whitetail A – Z
Details: This is our most popular 5 day course for beginners and those looking to improve their skills on whitetail in this fast paced class. Starting with a raw whitetail, we show you how to skin and prep for the tannery. Each student will have a raw skin of their own to work on and to take home with them to complete. Day two, we will each work on a provided tanned whitetail skin that will later be mounted in the class. Each student will prep their skin and mount their own deer in this class. We will teach how to fit and recreate anatomical details of the whitetail deer throughout this class. On the last day, we will demonstrate how to finish your mount with a whitetail that has been mounted and dried.
We will also discuss pricing your work and business strategies to help you be successful. This is a huge amount of information in a short amount of time. Everything you need to know about mounting a whitetail deer from start to finish.
Materials Needed: Small to medium set of antlers
Cost: $2,700 (Cost includes raw whitetail cape, tanned whitetail cape and use of all materials and tools needed for the completion of the mount.)
*Class size limited to 7 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Whitetail A – Z –
March 8 – 12, 2027
Whitetail A – Z
Details: This is our most popular 5 day course for beginners and those looking to improve their skills on whitetail in this fast paced class. Starting with a raw whitetail, we show you how to skin and prep for the tannery. Each student will have a raw skin of their own to work on and to take home with them to complete. Day two, we will each work on a provided tanned whitetail skin that will later be mounted in the class. Each student will prep their skin and mount their own deer in this class. We will teach how to fit and recreate anatomical details of the whitetail deer throughout this class. On the last day, we will demonstrate how to finish your mount with a whitetail that has been mounted and dried.
We will also discuss pricing your work and business strategies to help you be successful. This is a huge amount of information in a short amount of time. Everything you need to know about mounting a whitetail deer from start to finish.
Materials Needed: Small to medium set of antlers
Cost: $2,700 (Cost includes raw whitetail cape, tanned whitetail cape and use of all materials and tools needed for the completion of the mount.)
*Class size limited to 7 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Pheasant Course –
March 22 – 24, 2027
Details: This three day course will challenge beginners and advanced alike. In this class, each student will skin and mount a provided pheasant, and learn the proper technique and advanced tricks of the trade to improve realism. We will cover everything you need to know to mount a beautiful bird. We spend a full three days on one bird. Pheasants are one of the most popular game birds of all time. In an industry desperately needing new bird taxidermists, this is an excellent class to get you started.
Materials Needed: Lone Leaf Taxidermy will provide all materials needed for this course.
Cost: $1,800
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Walleye Reproduction Fish Painting Course –
3 Day Walleye Reproduction Fish Painting Course
Details: In this three day course, you will take a replica walleye and paint it from start to finish learning proper airbrush techniques, hand painting, and scale tipping. This course will give you a systematic approach to painting any fish. Building proper depth into paint work will improve your paint skills in all areas of taxidermy. It will also allow you to offer fish painting services to your clients. If you have ever wanted to try your hand at painting fish at the highest level, this is the class for you. No experiance needed.
Materials Needed: Students will be required to bring awalleye reproduction of their choosing. Students are encouraged to bring their own air brush or one can be provided for you. All other supplies will be provided.
Cost: $1,250
*Class size limited to 4 students.
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060