Full-Time taxidermy shop

Hunters, outfitters and lodges, collectors, and sometimes museums, schools and nature centres.

Price per mount, plus repairs, restoration, custom display work and sometimes tanning or raw hide drop-off fees. Outfitter partnerships can bring steady work.

• Advanced taxidermy and finishing skills
• Managing a queue of jobs and deadlines
• Dealing with customers and suppliers
• Basic bookkeeping and pricing

• Provincial taxidermy licences, record keeping and inspection rules, check with your provincial wildlife agency
• Federal and provincial rules on migratory birds, endangered species and animal parts, including any import or export limits
• Commercial lease, zoning and waste disposal for animal remains and chemicals, check with your municipality
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, including cover for clients' animals and freezers
• WCB or WSIB registration if you hire help, rules differ by province
• Heavy seasonality and long turnaround times, so plan cash flow for slow months

Estimated startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $40,000, depending on premises, workshop equipment, freezer storage and showroom fit-out. Use this as a guide and get your own quotes.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on job volume, pricing and the season. Expect heavy seasonality and long turnaround times, so plan cash flow for slow months. Full-time work is around 35 hours a week or more.

Check provincial taxidermy licences, record keeping and inspection rules, plus federal and provincial rules on migratory birds, endangered species and animal parts. Also check your commercial lease, zoning, waste disposal, insurance, and WCB or WSIB registration if you hire help.