The acquisition of physical and digital catalogs from premier taxidermy supply houses represents a critical step for both novice enthusiasts and seasoned professionals in the art of preservation. In an industry where the precision of a manikin's posture or the chemical composition of a tanning agent can determine the success of a mount, having a tangible reference guide allows for a level of scrutiny and planning that digital browsing often lacks. These catalogs serve as comprehensive inventories of the specialized tools, forms, and chemical agents required to transform a raw specimen into a lifelike piece of art. By requesting these materials, practitioners gain access to the world's largest selections of taxidermy supplies, ranging from the smallest ear liners to industrial-scale fleshing machines.
Primary Catalog Procurement Channels
Securing a free print catalog is a foundational step in organizing a taxidermy studio's inventory needs. Several industry leaders provide streamlined methods for requesting these guides to ensure that artists have the most current specifications for forms and tools.
McKenzie Taxidermy Supply offers a robust request system for their print catalogs. These publications are positioned as containing the world's largest complete selection of taxidermy supplies. For those who prefer immediate access, the company provides a digital alternative allowing users to view the catalog on a computer, browse pages, and place merchandise directly into a virtual basket. This dual-pathway approach ensures that whether a professional needs a physical book for the workshop or a digital list for quick ordering, the information is accessible.
Taxidermy Arts Supply provides a specific "Free School/Supply Catalog Request" mechanism. This process is integrated with their educational offerings, suggesting a synergy between learning the craft and procuring the necessary materials. To obtain these catalogs, applicants must provide a comprehensive set of personal and contact details.
The required information for the Taxidermy Arts Supply request includes:
- Full Name
- Home Phone Number
- Work Phone Number
- E-mail Address
- Full Mailing Address
- City
- State
- Zip Code
Furthermore, the requester must specify their preferred method of contact, choosing between email, work phone, home phone, or standard mail. The request options allow the user to select the Free School/Supply Catalog and opt-in for E-mail Updates and Offers, ensuring a continuous stream of information regarding new product releases and promotional events.
Specialized Taxidermy Forms and Manikin Categories
The core of any supply catalog is the manikin or form section. These are the structural foundations upon which the skin is stretched. The diversity of these forms is vast, catering to a wide array of species and artistic poses.
Taxidermy Arts Supply emphasizes a wide range of specialized forms, particularly for ungulates and mammals. Their offerings include a variety of Whitetail deer configurations, which are essential for the most common North American mounts. These include:
- Upright Whitetails
- Upright Offset Whitetails
- Semi Upright Whitetails
- Whitetail Septums
The "Boss" series from Taxidermy Arts Supply represents a tiered system of manikins designed for specific artistic effects. The impact of these series is that it allows the taxidermist to choose a posture that matches the personality of the animal. The Boss series includes:
- Boss Aggressive Series 800
- Boss Dominator Series
- Boss Head Up Series 700
- Boss Last Look Series 1000
- Boss Offset Sneak Series 400
- Boss Semi Sneak Series 600
- Boss Semi Upright Series 500
- Boss Wall Pedestal Series 900
Beyond deer, the catalogs detail forms for a massive variety of fauna. This includes Black Bear, Bobcat, Boar Manikins, and specialized Boss Antelope, Boss Elk, and Boss Mule Deer forms. The CAD (Computer Aided Design) series provides further precision, such as the CAD Antelope Upright and the CAD Elk Semi Sneak, including "Change Out" heads which allow the artist to swap head positions on a single body.
Other specialized forms mentioned in the supply catalogs include:
- Sika Deer
- Sheep Forms
- Raccoon
- Turkey Products
- Tony Finazzo "Master Series" Bird Bodies
- Tom Kinser Jr. Deer
Chemical Agents and Tanning Supplies
The chemistry of taxidermy is what ensures the longevity of the mount. Catalogs from Van Dyke's and other suppliers detail the exhaustive list of chemicals required for the processing of hides.
Tanning and preservation chemicals are categorized by their specific function in the curing process. Tanning chemicals ensure the skin remains supple and resistant to decay. Pickling agents are used to lower the pH of the skin to prepare it for tanning. Degreasers remove natural oils that could otherwise cause the mount to rot or discolor over time.
The chemical inventory typically found in professional catalogs includes:
- Tanning Oils
- Preservatives
- De-Hairing agents
- Mount Cleaning and Protection chemicals
- Skull Bleaching agents
- Deodorizers
- Neutralizers
- Bates
- Kleens
- Bactericides
For those who prefer pre-packaged solutions, Tanning Kits are available, such as the McKenzie Tanning System and the T.A.S.C.O/Rittel Tanning Kits. These kits provide a curated selection of the necessary chemicals, reducing the risk of error for the practitioner.
Essential Hardware and Mounting Supplies
Once the form is selected and the skin is tanned, the taxidermist requires a suite of hardware to secure the specimen. Van Dyke's and McKenzie provide detailed listings of these essential components.
Ear liners are a critical detail for achieving realism, as they provide the internal structure of the ear. Catalogs list various types, including Whitetail Ear Liners, North American Ear Liners, African-Exotic Ear Liners, H-Form Ear Liners, Jonas Plastic Ear Liners, and Wasco Ear Liners. Similarly, jawsets, mouth sets, and tongues are listed to ensure the facial expression of the animal is anatomically correct.
General mounting hardware listed across the supply catalogs includes:
- Adhesives and Glues
- Clays and Apoxies
- Epoxies
- Powders and Dry Products
- Antler Mounting hardware
- Foot Forms
- Pins, Screws, and Brads
- Wire and Rods
- Thread
- Carving Foam
Tools of the Trade: From Fleshing to Finishing
The transition from a raw specimen to a finished mount requires a progression of specialized tools. McKenzie Taxidermy Supply's catalog outlines a comprehensive toolset.
The initial stages of taxidermy involve skinning and fleshing. For this, catalogs list knives, knife sharpeners, scalpels with blades, and scissors/shears. For larger scale operations, machinery is required, such as Dakota Fleshing Machines and various other fleshing machines, as well as tumblers.
The painting and finishing stage requires a different set of instruments to recreate the natural colors of the animal. The catalogs detail:
- Airbrushes and Parts
- Paint and Utility Brushes
- Gloss Guns
- Bottles and Miscellaneous containers
- Air Compressors and Compressor Parts
- Air Compressor and Airbrush Kits
For the final grooming and detailing, tools such as mixing, modeling, and tucking tools are used, alongside grooming tools and multi-purpose hand tools. Advanced artists may also utilize woodcarving and woodburning tools, including woodburning units, tips, and Foredom Tools, to create custom bases.
Display Options and Environmental Fabrication
Modern taxidermy often involves creating a naturalistic scene, known as a habitat. The catalogs provide extensive options for simulating the animal's natural environment.
Wall Habitat® options allow the artist to mount the specimen against a simulated background. This includes the use of Wall Habitat® Rocks, Driftwood Panels, and Limb-Rock combinations. The goal is to blend the manikin seamlessly into a reconstructed ecosystem.
Materials for environmental fabrication listed in the catalogs include:
- Artificial Wood
- Cypress Knees
- Mammal Limbs
- Turkey Limbs
- Knot Holes
- Bark Slabs and Panels
- Pedestal Stumps and Perches
- Artificial Driftwood
- Artificial Wood Panels and Trees
- Artificial Barn Wood
Rock bases are also highly categorized to fit specific needs. These include Flat Rock Bases, Ledge Rocks, Dual Rock Bases, Mantel Rocks, Rock Sets, Pedestal Rocks, River Rocks, and Small Rocks. Specifically, there are specialized rock bases for Bear and Mammals.
Rug Making and Specialized Materials
Some practitioners focus on rug making rather than traditional mounting. Van Dyke's catalog details the upholstery and leather supplies necessary for this craft.
The materials used for rug bases and backing include:
- Felt
- Leather and Burlap
- Trim, Braid, and Rope
- Decorative Tacks
- Padding
- Faux Fur
- Jonas Rug Materials
- Naugahyde
For those working with skulls, the catalogs provide artificial European skulls, as well as North American, African-Exotic, and Warthog/Boar skulls. These can be acquired as two-piece skulls or as dipped skulls (both North American and African) for those who prefer a pre-treated surface.
Procurement Specifications and Promotional Offers
The method of obtaining these supplies often involves promotional codes or bulk pricing strategies to assist the professional taxidermist.
G2 Taxidermy Supply utilizes a "Bakers Dozen" promotional model for their Whitetail forms. By using the code "BAKERSDOZEN" at checkout, customers who buy 12 Whitetail forms receive the 13th form free. This is a significant cost-saving measure for high-volume studios.
Supply catalogs also provide a structured way to track inventory through printable order forms, as seen with McKenzie Taxidermy Supply. This allows the artist to manually track their needs before submitting an order via mail or digital channels.
Summary of Supply House Specializations
The following table outlines the primary focuses of the mentioned supply houses based on their catalog and website offerings.
| Supplier | Primary Catalog Focus | Key Product Specialties | Procurement Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKenzie Taxidermy Supply | Comprehensive General Supplies | Wall Habitat, Fleshing Machines, Large-Scale Inventory | Print Catalog / Digital Basket |
| Taxidermy Arts Supply | Educational and Form-Centric | Boss Series Manikins, CAD Forms, School Information | Request Form / Email |
| Van Dyke's / Jonas | Specialized Materials and Hardware | Rare Horns, Tusks, Rug Materials, Tanning Chemicals | Catalog Request |
| G2 Taxidermy Supply | Whitetail Focused | Volume Whitetail Form Promotions | Online Store / Mailing List |
Detailed Analysis of Taxidermy Supply Ecosystems
The interdependence between the various supply houses creates a comprehensive ecosystem for the taxidermist. For instance, an artist might procure a Boss Series manikin from Taxidermy Arts Supply, utilize the McKenzie Tanning System for hide preparation, and finish the piece with a custom base using Van Dyke's rug materials.
The shift toward digital catalogs has not replaced print catalogs but has augmented them. The ability to "View from your computer NOW" allows for rapid price checking and availability tracking, while the print catalog remains the gold standard for studio planning and visual reference. The inclusion of "Tech Support" via email at McKenzie's further demonstrates that these catalogs are not just sales tools but gateways to expert technical assistance.
The importance of specific measurements and specifications—such as the difference between a "Semi Upright" and an "Upright Offset" Whitetail—cannot be overstated. These nuances, detailed extensively in the free catalogs, allow the taxidermist to match the form to the exact measurements of the hide, preventing the need for extensive carving or modification of the foam.
Furthermore, the integration of safety apparel and specialized needles (Glover's, S, Curved Surgeons, Half Circle Surgeons, Straight, and Scalp-Leather needles) indicates that the supply catalogs cover the entire lifecycle of the project, from the first incision during skinning to the final application of wax or paint.