BigGameHoundsmen.com

Well i was thinking about getting into taxidermy and i was looking at a place in Irasburg for about 5-6000 but this won't be for another year maybe but just want to start practicing and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on practicing or any info on practicing and if anyone has any extra skins or whatever that i could use it would be helpful.

go work for a taxidermist in the fall when it is the peak of hunting season.... You will get a lot of practice!! I did that for 3 years!

Ditto that suggestion. Back in the 80's, I got off work at 2:30 so I stopped into a local shop, introduced myself and told the owner I did'n't want paid, just wanted to learn. I helped in that shope for 8 years.
For the past 25 years, I've been asked at least a hundred times if someone could help me out to learn. One guy showed up for one day. You have to be dedicated and stick to it. You will not learn how to mount something properly in 6 months or even a year.

The info is out there you have to seek it out. Plenty of instructional videos on the market as well as books. Taxidermy.net. Even if you find the local guy you'll be ahead of the game if you've educated yourself in the basic lingo and basic taxidermy procedures like skinning, fleshing, tanning, form selection and prep, tools required, reference material and so-on. You'll learn alot just pouring over a taxidermy supply catalog if your totally a green-horn, as I was. Bill Atkins has a pretty good basic instructional dvd on whitetails using the dry rub tanning method. Capes can be purchased and whitetails are plentiful. Jim Allred supply had some recently. Don't be afraid to mess up just jump in with both feet because you will mess up.