Taxidermy School
Learn the art of taxidermy from award-winning professionals in the industry.
About Lone Leaf Taxidermy School
At Lone Leaf Taxidermy School, we strive to differentiate our teaching to meet the needs of each of our students. Each class is small in size, normally containing no more than 7 students, to maximize the hands-on learning experience. A minimum of 2 students is required for the class to take place.
The latest taxidermy methods, cutting edge techniques and business strategies are always demonstrated and taught in each class that is offered. Students will work in a newly remodeled and spacious environment with all the tools needed to maximize their learning opportunity.
Class size and availability is limited and fills quickly. Please contact Lone Leaf Taxidermy School today to register for one of these enlightening courses.
All deposits are non-refundable and courses need to be paid in full by the first day of class.
*One-on-one classes are available upon request.
2024 Courses, Classes, & Workshops
3 Day Largemouth Bass Replica Course –
January 10 – 12, 2024
3 Day Large Mouth Bass Replica Course
Details: In this three day course, you will take a replica largemouth bass 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: The blank and all supplies for this class will be provided. Students are encouraged to bring their own air brush or one can be provided for you.
Cost: $1,800
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Whitetail A – Z –
January 22 – 26, 2024
Whitetail A – Z
Details: This is the 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, you will be shown 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, students 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: $2,500 (Cost includes raw whitetail cape, tanned whitetail cape and use of all materials and tools needed for the completion of the mount.)
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Molding, Casting and Painting a Replica Fish –
February 5 – 9, 2024
Molding, Casting and Painting a Replica Fish
Details: In this five day course, we will teach you how to take your fish work to the next level. Students will mold a fish with proper attention to anatomy. The student will then cast the fish and lastly paint the fish, learning how to recreate depth and transparency. There is a possibility of two fish being completed in this class. This is one of the most enjoyable and knowledgeable classes we offer.
Materials Needed: Warm water fish less than 16 inches in length. (or call to purchase one from Lone Leaf Taxidermy)
Cost: $3,000
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Whitetail Refresher Course –
February 21 – 23, 2024
3 Day Whitetail Refresher Course
Details: In this class, we will take previous Whitetail A-Z students and help them with the areas that challenge them most. Students will provide their own cape, supplies and tools. We will evaluate your progress throughout this class and help you fine tune your skills in the areas you want to improve. Students are encouraged to bring one whitetail to mount and another one dried and ready to finish. This is an excellent way to build and grow on your established foundation. You will advance quickly in your skill set with proper guidance in this course.
Materials Needed: Students will provide all materials and supplies.
Cost: $1,500
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Whitetail A – Z –
March 4 – 8, 2024
Whitetail A – Z
Details: This is the 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: $2,500 (Cost includes raw whitetail cape, tanned whitetail cape and use of all materials and tools needed for the completion of the mount.)
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Pheasant Course –
March 13 – 15, 2024
3 Day Pheasant Course
Details: One of the most popular game birds of all time will be the focus of this class, the pheasant. We will teach everything you need to know from start to finish in this in-depth bird course. Students may choose to mount a standing or flying bird in this class. Bring a client’s bird and mount it to help pay for this class or we can provide one for you. This class is geared for the beginner or advanced alike.
Materials Needed: We will provide all materials and supplies including bird, if needed.
Cost: $1,700
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Lifesize Raccoon Course –
April 10 – 12, 2024
3 Day LIfesize Raccoon Course
Details: For those who are interested in learning how to mount lifesize mammals, this class is a great place to start. We will take a tanned, lifesize raccoon through the process of completing a lifesize mount. Once you have learned what it takes, students will quickly advance to larger mammals with these same principals and understanding. Alterations will be a key process in making the skin fit properly. Learning these skillls will increase your knowledge in mounting lifesize mammals.
Materials Needed: None, we will provide all materials. Students will keep their completed raccoon.
Cost: $2,250
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Waterfowl Course –
April 17 – 19, 2024
3 Day 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 standing 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: $1,700
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
4 Day Advanced Lifesize Bobcat with Abel Everage –
May 6 – 9, 2024
Advanced Lifesize Bobcat
Details: Back by popular demand! This is an amazing opportunity to work with the most recognizable cat artists in our industry! In this four day class, students will learn advanced mammal techniques from Casey Watterson and guest instructor, Abel Everage. Abel is a National Champion and has placed in the top three in the world. His expertise is recognized nationally. In this four day course, students will mount and complete a lifesize bobcat. All materials, including the manikin and tanned skin for mounting are included in this course. We will be covering alterations, proper fit, grooming, and adding realizm to your work. There will be a maximum of 6 students for this course. This is a rare opportunity to learn from Abel, a respected and award winning artist.
Materials Needed: None
Cost: $3,500
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Turkey A – Z –
May 20 – 24, 2024
Turkey A – Z
Details: In this class, you will learn how to mount the challenging wild turkey.. Each student will flesh and skin a bird and together we will mount this bird in our five day course. We will show you some of the latest techniques in paintwork on the head and legs. We will discuss proper anatomy and fit with an overwhelming amount of attention to reference. From beginner to advanced, be ready to be challenged!
Materials Needed: Turkey skin (or call to purchase one from Lone Leaf Taxidermy)
Cost: $2,700
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Habitat and Design Course –
June 5 – 7, 2024
3 Day Habitat and Design Course
Details: This course is one of the most anticipated courses of the year. Casey Watterson will demonstrate how to do almost anything you can think of in the way of habitat and design including, but not limited to:
- Building Rock Bases (3 Different Methods)
- Faux Finishes (Patinas and Bronzes)
- Silicone Molds (Plant Life)
- How to reproduce what you see in habitat
- Design and Composition (Open Discussion)
Much of this class will be tutorials, however students will work with multiple mediums to help them understand various processes. Students will build their own small rock base and will be taught about the multitude of mediums they can use to enhance their work. What is covered is determined by the speed of the class.
Materials Needed: None, all materials, tools and supplies will be included in the cost.
Cost: $1,800
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Whitetail A – Z –
June 10 – 14, 2024
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: $2,500 (Cost includes raw whitetail cape, tanned whitetail cape and use of all materials and tools needed for the completion of the mount.)
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
3 Day Whitetail Refresher Course –
June 17 – 19, 2024
3 Day Whitetail Refresher Course
Details: In this class, we will take previous Whitetail A-Z students and help them with the areas that challenge them most. Students will provide their own cape, supplies and tools. We will evaluate your progress throughout this class and help you fine tune your skills in the areas you want to improve. Students are encouraged to bring one whitetail to mount and another one dried and ready to finish. This is an excellent way to build and grow on your established foundation. You will advance quickly in your skill set with proper guidance in this course.
Materials Needed: Students will provide all materials and supplies.
Cost: $1,500
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
4 Day Black Bear Mounting and Alterations Course –
August 19 – 22, 2024
Black Bear Mounting and Alterations Course
Details: In this class, my students will assist in making the necessary changes to mounting a lifesize black bear. Understanding what the skin is telling you is a vital component in proper fit and a realistic mount. Depending on amount of alterations will detemine overall objective in this class. We will take you through the process from start to finish. Many techniques will be demonstrated, giving students the confidence to tackle these large scale projects. The goal is to mount the bear in it’s entirety in this class.
Materials Needed: None.
Cost: $1,200
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Advanced Open Mouth Whitetail with Jena Everage –
August 26 – 30, 2024
Advanced Open Mouth Whitetail
Details: Jena is one of the most accomplished whitetail artists known nationally. She has placed second in the world and third in the world with her creative whitetail displays. In this course, Jena will demonstrate painting techniques, assembly and mounting of a whitetail deer. This course will challenge even the most skilled taxidermists. We will discuss and demonstrate alterations and intricate details of the whitetail deer as well as finishing techniques. Included in the cost of this course is a tanned cape, manikin, mouth cup, and all materials needed to complete mount. * ONLY 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE!
Materials Needed: Set of antlers for a 3 year old buck
Cost: $3,700
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
5 Day Whitetail A – Z –
September 9 – 13, 2024
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: $2,500 (Cost includes raw whitetail cape, tanned whitetail cape and use of all materials and tools needed for the completion of the mount.)
Register by calling Casey at: (419) 362-1060
Taxidermy Judging
Casey has judged many taxidermy shows across the country.
Our Past Students
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We pride ourselves in giving our customers the very best customer service. Please contact us should you have any questions or would like to get started on your next trophy.
