I am what is best described as a "hobby" taxidermist in that I mount stuff but I am not in it professionally. I mount a few things for myself and a few others, mostly friends. I got into it initially specifically to learn to mount turkeys,...and that was primarily because there were just no good turkey taxidermists in this area. I eventually started doing shoulder mounts of big game, but have never ventured beyond that. In addition, I have never gone to any kind of taxidermy school,...just learned it myself from videos that are readily available,...although I have no doubt that attending a taxidermy school would have probably been a wise choice if there had been one nearby.
Specifically, regarding turkeys: Turkey taxidermy, in particular, is one of the most difficult taxidermy arts, in my opinion. Really good turkey taxidermists are few and far between from what I have seen. The guys that can make an ultra-realistic turkey mount have my full respect and admiration. I can tell you from my experience that it is difficult, and takes a LOT of time and effort.
On the other hand, from what I have seen, most folks that get turkeys mounted don't have a real understanding of what a good turkey mount looks like or how much time is involved in achieving an exceptional mount. In addition, most folks aren't going to pay the "going rate" for a quality turkey mount. Many are satisfied with a less-than-perfect mount if it falls within their budget,...or more importantly, what they think a turkey mount should cost,...which is very often not what the really great turkey taxidermists are charging.
Having rambled on a bit about it, here are my observations regarding taxidermy:
> It is rewarding and fun if you have an interest in it, regardless of whether you plan to get into it professionally or not.
> The advances in the art over the years are such that it is relatively easy once you have the basic knowledge and understanding of what it entails, and have gathered up all of the tools, chemicals, and such needed to whatever you are mounting.
> Good professional taxidermists, when they are located in the right area and with limited competition, can make a killing in the business, in my opinion, based on the cost of materials and labor compared to what is being charged nowadays.
> Conversely, because taxidermy has become relatively easy to do with all the advances in the art, there are a lot of people in some areas that are doing it, which can create a level of competition that suppresses the "economic" end of it in terms of it being financially viable.
Even if you don't get into it professionally, if you like having wildlife mounts,...and perhaps a "trophy room",...you will ultimately recover the cost of going to a taxidermy school just in the amount of money you will save in being able to mount stuff yourself. I know I have saved thousands of dollars in taxidermy costs by learning how to do it myself.
