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

That's me (holding the flashlight) giving a critique to competitor Bob Helm of Salina, Kansas at the 2010 Kansas state show.

Testimonials

After retiring at 55, I signed up for a taxidermy course. Upon returning home, I found my self lacking confidence. (No instructor to fall back on.) The class instructor recommended competing at state shows to continue to improve. Good advice and it was fun. You are allowed to compete in the novice division your first two years. After that, you are in the open class and from observing the difference in quality; I thought it would be about four years before I could expect any ribbons in that division.

Shawn Dawson was the judge at the 2009 Oregon Show, which was my second and final year as a novice. My wife and I were impressed by his easy going personality and obvious knowledge of taxidermy. When we learned that he offered one on one classes back at his shop in Great Falls, Montana, my wife purchased a one week class for my birthday present. Wow, best present ever!

I drove to Shawn’s shop in March 2010; I had a great week and learned a ton. Shawn would stay as late in the evening as I wanted. My only complaint was the week went too fast!

June of 2010 brought the Northwest Regional Taxidermy show to Oregon. I mounted a black tail buck for the show with techniques I learned from Shawn. I thought, “oh great,” when I heard they had brought in a tough judge from New Mexico because it was regional competition. Imagine my surprise to find a second place ribbon on my buck. Shawn Dawson—YOU ROCK! Score sheet showed I only missed a blue ribbon by two points. Wow, I just scored a touchdown in the professional division.
Ernie Glenn
Animal House Taxidermy
Coquille, Oregon 97423

I met Shawn Dawson for the first time at a taxidermy convention. I volunteered to ‘scribe.’ Not having any idea what to expect, I quietly wrote down his comments in each section as he meticulously went over each specimen. Details it is! As he looked at the general appearance standing back, under the belly of the animal, on a ladder to get closer, with flashlights and magnifying lens to see in the eyes, ears, nostrils; he went over each piece of competition for detail. Wow, I did not realize how much really goes into each piece…then to be scrutinized this thoroughly!

Shawn offers one on one class to learn mammal detail, improve skills and better techniques to improve the overall appearance of the specimen. If you have difficulty in any area, Shawn will make that part of your class. Questions…just ask. I have not been involved in the actual taxidermy work; my contribution to our business has been keeping books and financial decisions. From a business prospective, the class Shawn offers is the best investment you can make. Your return on investment is less than one year. After going to my first convention and seeing how many taxidermists do not even get ribbons, I would recommend this class for all levels of experience, novice to the professionals. At the convention, Shawn even had a class on business ideas.

Ernie retired from a plywood manufacturing plant where he was the machinist to start a new career in taxidermy. This was his second year doing taxidermy and I knew he would glean more skills with this class because he knew what gave him the most frustration.

Ernie just got back from the class.

He went there asking about eye detail, coming home learning tricks to make the job easier to finish, techniques to improve the overall appearance and the fine details that the judges look at. Anything Ernie mentioned that gave him grief, Shawn spent the time showing techniques to make it less difficult.

I cannot close without mentioning the dogs. They would bring balls to play with in the afternoon and Shawn would tell them it wasn’t time yet, so they would go back and lay down for a while. Ernie talked about that a whole lot! Ernie thinks we need a dog……………
Carol Glenn

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
(406) 868-5840

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
(801) 857-8017

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
(507) 269-6603

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
(406) 231-5045