Meet Your Instructor

My workshops are tailored to the individual’s needs. Whether you’re a beginner wanting to learn the basics, or you already have experience and want to greatly improve your work, or perhaps you want to learn competition techniques, my workshops will do all of the above. I’ve competed at the state, national and world competitions, winning numerous ribbons and awards. I’m a recipient of the National Taxidermist’s Association (NTA) Award of Excellence; a very high honor, which puts me in the “Master Taxidermist” division. I’m also a NTA Certified Judge and an instructor for the Academy of Realistic Taxidermy in Havre, Montana. I offer a comprehensive, thorough training regime centered on individual instruction: with a maximum of only two students per class, I can guarantee that you’ll receive plenty of one-on-one training! For those students traveling from outside of Great Falls, I will pick you up and drop you off at the Great Falls International Airport if needed. On-site lodging is available.

–Shawn Dawson

Call now to check class availability (406) 452-8500

Testimonials

Being completely new to taxidermy, I looked all over the internet and asked many people in the field about training and classes. I heard of Shawn Dawson’s workshop from a friend. After reading about Shawn’s workshop on his website and noticing his many awards, merit, and reputation, I decided to contact Shawn. Right from the starting gate, Shawn treated me with the utmost respect and seemed to be as excited as I was about the workshop. After talking with Shawn, I opted to take the two week head mounting course. Really!!, always and never, symmetry, uniform, and reference are just a few of the things that really stand out. I had no idea what to expect but Shawn and his staff made me feel right at home during my two weeks. Shawn made sure every thing he was teaching me was crystal clear. If I had any questions he would stop and make sure I fully understood what was being taught. What I gained from this workshop is hard to put into words. Countless years of taxidermy experience, trial and error, self-expectation, positives and negatives for each step and style, attention to detail, tricks of the trade, understanding products offered by suppliers, and how to use the tools needed for the job. Not to mention the general things outlined in the workshop description including lots of extras. I would recommend Shawn’s workshops to any level of taxidermist. If you’re just starting out or if you have been doing taxidermy for years, Shawn Dawson is all a student could ask for in a teacher. He has the ability to adapt his teaching style to suit his student. Shawn has something to offer taxidermists of all skill levels. I will never look at another head mount the same ever again. I am already starting my third head mount at home and it’s all thanks to Shawn Dawson and the guys at Timberland Taxidermy! (Sam, Steve, Bugsy, and Molly) By the way Sam, my feet are also attached to my legs!!! Justus Hilbig and Family

Since I was a little kid I was fascinated with mounted animals and wanted to learn how to do it! About six years ago I wanted to learn to do taxidermy; I did some research and found there was a work shop in Havre, MT called Academy of Realistic Taxidermy. I called Steve and talked to him about his workshop he sent me a folder of all the things he teaches at his academy, man I was excited! Well that was six years ago, when I was ready I called Steve back, he told me he was excited to hear that I wanted to take a course and learn all about taxidermy. I asked him when could I start? He asked If I knew Shawn at Timberland Taxidermy? Yes I know Shawn I just had two phesants done by him! Great he said, if you want to save some money in travel Shawn is now teaching in Great falls. Awesome I said, told Steve thanks ended the call and called Shawn immediately to set up the work shop with him and I was ready and could not wait to start!

In the spring of 2009 I took my first course on shoulder mounts! Day one was on turning, fleshing, and salting capes. Day two- yeah, I could go on and on, but can I just say he went step-by-step, one-on-one with me through the course. Shawn thought me a lot throughout the head course. And yeah, I was even lucky to learn some of his trade secrets. Last but not least I was more than happy with the way he teaches and with my finished deer mount! I have completed three deer since and if I had questions Shawn was a phone call a way. Let me tell you some thing (to avoid a phone call take a note book and write every thing down!)I learned the hard way –I thought I could wing it with out a note book (WRONG). Shawn is going to throw so much information at you that it will leave you scratching your head (meaning you forgot). So take my advice and take a note book!

Fall of 2010 I was hungry for more. I wanted to take a lifesize course with Shawn working on coyotes. Shawn and I set up a date and we were on our way. Feburary 1 I started my class, man I was excited. As a matter a fact I went down a couple of days earlier and he had all ready had one coyote form there. I asked where’s the other one at, and he said it should be here by Monday, no big deal right? Wrong, he told me that he had ordered a totally different form from the one I thought he was going to order for me (they were supposed to be the same, right?) Wrong! Out of his mouth he said you’re going to make that form look just like that one! I forgot to mention that my form was in a run state and his was crouched back with his head down. I’m thinking to myself “he’s out of his flipping mind!” Wrong again. Shawn taught me how to alter. We started to draw the bones just as if it was a real body, putting hinge points where everything should move correctly and so on! Cool, right? Yeah, until the saw came out. I knew a little about alterations, but to cut it into twenty different pieces to make it look like the other one, I’ll say it was totally awesome! Keep in mind guys its just foam! Hey, it reminds me Shawn made a little video on extreme alterations; you should be able to find it on this website. Hey guys sorry to make a long story short, but I finished my class with a notebook this time and I was overly happy with the things that Shawn taught me! Shawn is a great person as well as his staff so if you’re ready to have some fun, Timberland Taxidermy is the place to go, even if you want to do this as a business, hobby or just for yourself or fun I promise you will not be disappointed! So what are you waiting for? Give Shawn a call right now and talk to him about his workshops! It was money well worth spending and the time working with Shawn! Thanks again guys!
Brad Kjelsrud, Great Falls, Mt.

After hours of searching through the internet looking at different Taxidermy Schools and reading testimonials I found the website of Timberland Taxidermy. Once I started looking through the work that Shawn Dawson had done at Timberland Taxidermy I knew that it was one that I was  interested in because of the quality of work. I am currently working another full time job and could only attend the week long game head course. Shawn made everything very easy to attend from booking a hotel room to picking me up at the airport. Shawn is a great teacher and a perfectionist. He pays very close attention to little details that make a mount come to life. He and his staff make you feel very much at home and spend as much time as necessary to make sure you learn everything you need to know. There is no 8 to 5 with Shawn, he will stay as long as necessary to teach you until you are comfortable with the concept. The one on one instruction I received from Shawn for a week was worth every cent. I have received numerous compliments on my deer head I brought home. I am currently working on what I hope to be many more mounts. Thank you to Shawn Dawson for a outstanding week. Justin Parduhn Highland, Utah

I just finished spending a week doing a one-on-one gamehead workshop with Shawn. I have been doing taxidermy for about six years before this. I had attended another school that had taught me the very basics, basically to get a “mount out the door,” and I was ready to take the next step into competition. Now, I thought that my work was “pretty good” up until I showed up in Shawn’s shop. Let’s just say that I thought I prepped a cape real well until Shawn showed me the right way, and what a difference it makes. That was just the tip of the iceberg! I learned everything from cape preparation to finish work. Not only does Shawn show you the right way to do things, he tells you why they need to be this way. I left with a more complete understanding of anatomy than I had previous to this. Shawn and his staff, (Scott, Randy…thanks guys) make you feel right at home. They are all very willing to help in a positive manner. Any question you have, they will answer. After only a few days with these guys, I was upset that I had even spent money on the other school. I left this class with a mount that I am proud to show off and the confidence to tackle any problem. Whether you are a beginner, or a veteran looking to improve your work, you should check out Shawn’s workshop, you will not be disappointed. Thanks again guys!

Jason Hatz Bucksnort Taxidermy Rochester, MN

I have always wanted to do a taxidermy class, but didn’t think I could do it since I am a mother of a two-year-old and have a full-time job. Shawn gave me the opportunity to do the Game Head Mounting Course in one week. Everything was so well organized and set-up, that I could fit all that knowledge into one week. By the end of the week, I had my deer mounted and ready to hang on the wall, Oh…don’t forget to pay close attention on hanging it straight, as Shawn is very picky about that. Shawn is a great teacher and also a fountain of knowledge. If you are lucky, he might even share some of his personal trade secrets with you. My time and money was well worth spent. I’ve already mounted another deer and am working on my third.

Tina-Mari Pribyl Cascade, MT