For the aspiring taxidermist or the seasoned professional, the process of sourcing high-quality manikins, tanning chemicals, and habitat materials begins with comprehensive research. While digital storefronts offer immediate access, the traditional print catalog remains a cornerstone of the industry. These catalogs serve as physical reference guides, allowing practitioners to browse the world's largest selections of taxidermy supplies, compare anatomical forms, and plan complex mounts without the constraints of a screen.
Major industry suppliers such as McKenzie Taxidermy Supply, Van Dyke's, and Taxidermy Arts Supply provide structured programs for requesting these resources. By securing these catalogs, professionals can access detailed specifications on everything from shoulder mounts and life-size forms to the intricate tools required for fleshing and tanning.
The Strategic Value of Print Catalogs in Taxidermy
In an era of instant digital browsing, print catalogs offer unique advantages for the taxidermy professional. A physical catalog allows a practitioner to keep a reference guide on their workbench, enabling them to cross-reference measurements and product codes while working on a specimen.
McKenzie Taxidermy Supply, for example, emphasizes that their print catalogs contain one of the most complete selections of taxidermy supplies available globally. The ability to flip through pages of shoulder forms, life-size manikins, and specialty tools provides a tactile planning experience that digital scrolling often lacks. Furthermore, these catalogs often include curated lists of new products for upcoming seasons, such as the 2025-2026 releases for shoulder forms, bird and turkey mounting products, and fish reproductions.
Navigating Free Catalog Request Programs
Most leading suppliers offer a streamlined process for requesting free physical catalogs. These programs are designed to cater to different levels of expertise, from hobbyists seeking their first mounting kit to professional studio owners updating their inventory.
Requesting Through Taxidermy Arts Supply
Taxidermy Arts Supply integrates their catalog requests with educational opportunities. Their "Free School/Supply Catalog Request" is particularly valuable for those looking to enter the field, as it often bundles supply information with school-related brochures.
When requesting these materials, users are typically required to provide: - Full Name - Home and Work Phone Numbers - Email Address - Full Mailing Address (City, State, Zip)
The supplier also allows users to specify their preferred method of contact (email, home phone, work phone, or mail) and whether they wish to receive additional e-mail updates and special offers alongside the physical catalog.
Specialized Requests at McKenzie and Van Dyke's
McKenzie Taxidermy Supply and Van Dyke's provide dedicated portals for catalog requests. While they emphasize the speed of their online catalogs—which allow users to browse and place merchandise into a digital basket immediately—they maintain a robust print request system for those who prefer a physical archive. This duality ensures that the consumer can choose between the instant gratification of a web store and the comprehensive nature of a printed volume.
Comprehensive Breakdown of Taxidermy Supplies and Categories
The catalogs provided by these industry leaders are not merely lists of products; they are encyclopedic guides to the craft. A typical high-end catalog is divided into several critical functional areas.
Anatomical Forms and Manikins
The core of any taxidermy project is the form. Catalogs categorize these by species and pose to help the taxidermist match the specific anatomy of the animal they are preserving.
| Category | Specific Form Types | Specialized Series |
|---|---|---|
| Deer/Antelope | Whitetail, Mule Deer, Sika Deer, Boss Antelope | Boss Aggressive, Dominator, Head Up, Offset Sneak |
| Large Game | Black Bear, Boss Elk, Boar Accessories | Semi Upright, Semi Sneak, Wall Pedestals |
| Small Game | Bobcat, Raccoon, Small Mammal Ear Liners | CAD Antelope/Elk "Change Out" Heads |
| Avian/Aquatic | Turkey Products, Bird Bodies (Tony Finazzo) | Artificial Fish and Bird Heads |
Habitat and Display Materials
Creating a realistic scene requires more than just the animal form. Suppliers provide extensive catalogs of "habitat" materials used to build a natural environment around the mount.
- Bases and Rocks: Options include Octagon Habitat Bases, Rectangular Habitat Bases, and specialized rock materials such as Van Dyke's Urethane Rocks, Newmyer Rocks, Joe Walter Rocks, and Ivan Harvey Rock Bases.
- Natural Elements: This includes drifted cedar (tumbled, flat back, or 3D), branches, plants, roots, vines, grasses, ferns, and aquatic elements for water and snow effects.
- Structural Supports: Pedestal bases, pre-finished wall and table pedestals, and flexible pedestal backs.
- Display Accessories: Glass display cases, gun racks, and specialized lamp kits (including pin-up and big game lamp kits).
Technical Resources and Instructional Materials
Beyond the physical products, free catalogs often point users toward an ecosystem of educational resources. This is critical for those utilizing "Free Taxidermy School" resources or scholarship programs.
Reference and Educational Media
Modern taxidermy relies heavily on visual references to ensure anatomical accuracy. Catalogs often highlight the availability of: - Reference Albums: Detailed photo albums by experts like Ronnie Gaillard, Tommy Hall, Rosanna Life, Randal Curtis, and Matt Thompson, covering fish, birds, and mammals. - Reference Casts: Physical casts of eyes, ears, and noses, as well as fish half-casts, which allow the taxidermist to see the 3D structure of a feature. - Instructional Videos: Comprehensive libraries covering everything from beginner basics and fleshing to specialized videos for reptiles, fish, and whitetail mounting.
Paint and Finishing Supplies
The final appearance of a mount depends on the "paint schedule"—the specific set of colors used to mimic a living animal. Professional catalogs provide: - Paint Kits: Polytranspar and LifeTone kits. - Schedules: Specific paint schedules for birds, fish, reptiles, and oil-based applications. - Tools: Airbrush equipment and specialty adhesives, pastes, and glues.
Essential Toolkits and Mounting Kits for Beginners
For those new to the craft, catalogs highlight "Kits" which bundle the necessary components for a specific project, reducing the need to source every single item individually.
- Deer Mounting Kits: Including specialized options like Rinehart and WASCO kits.
- Avian and Aquatic Kits: Dedicated bird and fish mounting kits.
- Specialty Kits: Skull mounting kits, small mammal shoulder kits, and turkey tail and beard kits.
- Tanning and Prep: Tanning kits (including T.A.S.C.O/Rittel kits) and maintenance kits for long-term preservation of the mount.
Comparison of Catalog Offerings by Provider
While all three major providers offer catalogs, their focus areas differ slightly based on their product lines.
| Provider | Primary Focus | Unique Offering |
|---|---|---|
| McKenzie Taxidermy | Global selection and breadth | Largest complete selection of supplies; extensive 2025-2026 new product lists. |
| Taxidermy Arts Supply | Education and Training | Bundled school brochures and scholarship information ($100 & $400 scholarships). |
| Van Dyke's | Reference and Habitat | Deep focus on reference albums, specialized habitat bases, and comprehensive video training. |
The Role of Tanning and Preservation Supplies
A critical section of any taxidermy catalog is dedicated to the chemical process of hide preservation. This is where the technical specifications of the trade are most prominent.
Suppliers offer a variety of preservatives and tanning agents, such as the T.A.S.C.O/Rittel tanning kits. These catalogs provide the necessary guidance on selecting the correct preservative for different skins, whether they are dealing with a large bear hide or a small mammal. The availability of "Super Cape Stretch" materials and various pins and preservatives ensures that the hide is properly prepared before it ever touches a manikin.
Integrating Digital and Print Workflows
The modern taxidermist uses a hybrid approach to sourcing. The digital catalog allows for rapid searching, real-time inventory checks, and the ability to add items to a shopping cart for immediate checkout. However, the print catalog serves as a permanent reference.
The process typically follows this workflow: 1. Request: The user submits a request via the website (providing name, address, and contact preferences). 2. Review: The print catalog arrives, allowing the user to study the Boss Series (Aggressive, Dominator, Head Up, etc.) or CAD (Computer-Aided Design) forms. 3. Reference: The user utilizes reference albums and paint schedules found in the catalog to plan the animal's expression and color. 4. Order: The user transitions to the online store to place the order for the specific manikin and kit identified in the print version.
Conclusion
The availability of free catalogs from McKenzie Taxidermy Supply, Van Dyke's, and Taxidermy Arts Supply provides an invaluable resource for the taxidermy community. These documents are more than mere advertisements; they are technical manuals that guide the practitioner through the complexities of anatomical forms, habitat construction, and skin preservation. By leveraging these free resources, taxidermists can ensure they have the most current tools and the most accurate reference materials to create life-like, professional-grade mounts.