C3218 - Taxidermy

Operational Details
Taxidermists operate out of a store front and serve the general public (mostly sportsmen), or purchase hides from trappers, hunters, or government bodies and prepare the hides so that the fur or skin is preserved. Often this is done by a pickling or salt brine process of placing the hides into a vat. Over a period of time the hide is cured. It is then dried and combed out.

Animals, birds and fish usually are brought into the shop by an individual or a museum curator etc. The carcass is skinned, flesh disposed of, the skin is dried and then stretched over a foam, wire or fiberglass mold and then sewn or glued to the form. The customer usually has a choice of pose for the finished product..

Glass eyes and plastic claws, teeth are some of the accessories used in completing the process of beautifying the product.

In more recent years, fiberglass molds have largely replaced the former metal wire skeletons that were often fashioned by the taxidermist on site. The molds are crated by the taxidermist and urethane is poured into the mold, sealed and clamped into place. After a period of drying the mold is removed, and the finished product, which is much lighter than old materials, is stored until needed.

While taxidermy is not seasonal, obviously most of their inventory comes from fall and spring hunts. However, due to the labour intensive nature of this business, the taxidermist is kept busy all year preparing hides and furs for the customers.

SIC Codes
000000210 - Taxidermy