Chelsey Larkins
My name is Chelsey Larkins, and I attended The Western Pennsylvania School of Taxidermy in Oliveburg, PA, during the summer of 2025.
I’m based in Southeast Idaho, and after struggling to find a taxidermy school locally, I began researching programs across the country—from Montana and Wisconsin to Georgia and everywhere in between. That’s when I found Marc’s school.
From my very first phone call with Marc, I could tell he was the real deal—genuine, passionate, and incredibly kind. He was more than willing to work with my schedule to make sure I could attend the course, and that flexibility meant the world to me.
Marc brings his knowledge and passion for taxidermy into the classroom every single day. He teaches using multiple methods to ensure every student has a chance to learn in the way that suits them best. He encouraged note-taking and gave us the hands-on experience needed to build confidence and skill. We weren’t just watching—we were actively creating our own mounts with his support and guidance. Marc allowed us the freedom to work independently while still making sure we were doing things correctly and thoughtfully.
Due to my schedule, I was able to attend 6 out of the 8 weeks. In that time, we completed a mallard duck, a pheasant, a small mammal, and three deer shoulder mounts. We also designed custom habitats for each animal, which gave us the chance to get creative and add our personal touch. In the final two weeks (which I wasn’t able to attend), students move on to fish mounting.
If I could change one thing about my experience, it would simply be having more time there! I truly feel that I left with the knowledge and tools I need to start my own taxidermy business (which is exactly what I plan to do), but I would’ve loved the opportunity to soak in even more information. There’s always more to learn, especially in a field like this.
Marc is a fantastic instructor. His course is top-notch, the mounts he produces are five-star quality, and I would absolutely make that 30-hour drive from Idaho all over again without hesitation. He far exceeded my expectations, and I’ll always credit him for helping me get my foot in the door.
Highly recommended taxidermy school—100%.
-Chelsey Larkins
Summer Class 2024
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