Taxidermy Supply Catalogue Acquisition and Professional Resource Procurement

The pursuit of taxidermy as both a professional craft and a specialised hobby requires an immense array of precision tools, anatomical forms, and chemical preservatives. For the practitioner, the primary gateway to discovering these essential materials is through the procurement of industry catalogues. These documents serve not merely as price lists but as comprehensive blueprints for the trade, detailing everything from the specific dimensions of manikins to the chemical compositions of tanning kits. In the current landscape of 2026, the ability to secure free print catalogues from leading suppliers remains a cornerstone for those who prefer a tactile, offline browsing experience over digital interfaces. By accessing these catalogues, enthusiasts and professionals can plan their projects with a level of detail that allows for the precise matching of manikins to the specific measurements of a specimen, ensuring anatomical accuracy in the final mount.

The acquisition of these catalogues often involves a formal request process, which acts as a bridge between the consumer and the supplier. This process is critical because it allows companies to segment their audience, distinguishing between those seeking a general overview of supplies and those interested in formal education through integrated school brochures. The depth of information contained within these publications is vast, covering the entire lifecycle of a mount, from the initial fleshing and tanning stages to the final application of professional paint schedules and the installation of habitat bases. For the UK-based consumer or professional, understanding the breadth of available supplies—ranging from the minutiae of eye and nose reference casts to the grand scale of elephant tusk bases—is essential for achieving a museum-quality result.

Authoritative Sources for Free Catalogue Requests

There are several primary entities that dominate the taxidermy supply market, each offering distinct methods for receiving their product literature. These organisations provide the foundational tools required for the craft and offer their catalogues free of charge to facilitate the growth of the industry.

The following table outlines the primary providers and their specific catalogue offerings based on available data.

The McKenzie Taxidermy Supply Procurement Process

McKenzie Taxidermy Supply positions itself as a provider of the world's largest complete selection of taxidermy supplies. Their approach to catalogue distribution is dual-pronged, catering to both the traditionalist and the modern user.

The print catalogue remains a vital resource for the taxidermist. The impact of having a physical copy is significant, as it allows the artist to keep a reference guide on their workbench without the need for a digital device, which is often impractical in a workshop environment where chemicals and organic materials are present. This physical document contains exhaustive lists of merchandise that can be browsed and subsequently added to a shopping basket for order.

For those who cannot wait for postal delivery, the online catalogue provides an immediate alternative. This digital version mirrors the structure of the print edition but enhances the experience by removing the waiting period associated with mail. Users can interact with the site via a computer or mobile device, utilizing a printable order form to bridge the gap between digital browsing and physical ordering.

The scope of products detailed within the McKenzie literature is immense. This includes:

• Tanning Kits: Specific kits designed for the preservation of hides.
• Reference Materials: This includes bird, fish, mammal, and reptile reference albums, as well as reference casts for eyes, ears, and noses.
• Paint Schedules: Detailed guides for oil paints and species-specific schedules for birds, fish, and reptiles.
• Mounting Kits: A wide array of kits including those for deer, birds, fish, and lamps.
• Lamp Kits: Specialized options such as pin-up lamp kits, deer foot lamp kits, and big game lamp kits, alongside antler chandelier kits.
• New Product Lines: The 2025-2026 range introduces new shoulder forms, life-size forms, bird and turkey mounting products, and fish reproductions.

Taxidermy Arts Supply and Educational Resources

Taxidermy Arts Supply distinguishes itself by intertwining the sale of supplies with professional education. Their catalogue request process is specifically designed to capture a wide range of user data to ensure the correct materials are sent.

The request form for the Free School/Supply Catalogue requires several pieces of information to ensure accurate delivery. This includes the user's full name, home phone number, work phone number, email address, and full postal address including city, state, and zip code. This level of detail allows the company to maintain a professional database for future updates and offers.

The impact of this specific catalogue is that it provides a dual purpose: it serves as a product guide and an informational brochure for the Taxidermy School. This is particularly beneficial for those seeking scholarships, as the organisation offers $100 and $400 scholarships to support aspiring taxidermists.

The product range detailed within the Taxidermy Arts Supply documentation is vast and categorized by species and tool type:

• Deer and Antelope: Extensive options for Boss Whitetails, Boss Mule Deer, and CAD Antelope, including specific series such as the Aggressive Series 800, Dominator Series, and the Last Look Series 1000.
• Specialized Forms: Options for semi-upright, upright offset, and semi-sneak positions, as well as "change out" heads for CAD Elk and Antelope.
• Tanning and Chemicals: Information on T.A.S.C.O/Rittel tanning kits and supplies, as well as auto tanner replacement parts.
• Small Mammal and Novelty: Ear liners for small mammals and various novelty items.
• Mounting Hardware: Pedestal rods, pins, and skull brackets.

Van Dyke and Jonas Supply Catalogues

Van Dyke and Jonas provide a comprehensive catalogue that emphasizes both the technical aspects of the craft and the aesthetic presentation of the final piece. Their documentation is heavily focused on the intersection of taxidermy and interior design, providing a wealth of information on how to display specimens.

One of the most critical sections of their catalogue is the focus on habitat bases. The ability to choose the correct base can change the entire narrative of a mount. Their offerings include:

• Habitat Base Varieties: Octagon habitat bases, rectangular habitat bases, and multi-use bases.
• Rock Work: A wide selection including Van Dyke's urethane rocks, Newmyer rocks, Joe Walter rocks, and Ivan Harvey rock bases.
• Pedestal Options: Pre-finished wall and table pedestal habitat bases, as well as flexible pedestal backs.
• Floor and Table Bases: Octagon floor bases, floor pedestals, and table pedestals.

Furthermore, the Van Dyke and Jonas catalogue provides a roadmap for those seeking to improve their skills through multi-media learning. They list extensive video resources and manuals, which are essential for a practitioner to move from basic to advanced levels. These include:

• Educational Videos: Specialized content for bird, fish, mammal, and reptile taxidermy, as well as specific videos for whitetail mounting and rug mounts.
• Technical Training: Videos focusing on fleshing, hide prep, tanning, and habitat construction.
• Reference Material: Manuals from Breakthrough, reference albums by experts such as Ronnie Gaillard and Tommy Hall, and photo albums by Randal Curtis and Matt Thompson.

The catalogue also details a massive array of specialized kits, ensuring that a taxidermist has everything required for a specific project in one package. These include:

• Antler and Deer Kits: Van Dyke's and Walnut Creek antler kits, along with whitetail and mule deer kits.
• Specialized Mounting: Bird mounting kits, fish mounting kits, and skull mounting kits.
• Accessory Kits: Lamp kits (including Jonas lamp kits), tanning kits, and turkey tail and beard kits.
• Functional Kits: Deer foot gun rack kits and wall habitat kits.

Comprehensive Analysis of Taxidermy Supplies and Materials

The sheer volume of materials detailed across these catalogues reveals the complexity of the taxidermy profession. It is not merely about the form but about the total environment surrounding the specimen.

The materials can be broken down into several critical layers of production. First is the preparation phase, where tanning kits and fleshing videos are paramount. The use of T.A.S.C.O/Rittel tanning supplies ensures that the skin is preserved correctly, preventing decay and ensuring longevity.

Second is the structural phase. This involves the selection of manikins. The catalogues provide a dizzying array of choices, from the Boss Dominator Series to the CAD Semi Upright with nostrils. The impact of this variety is that the taxidermist can match the form precisely to the animal's original posture and size, avoiding the "cookie-cutter" look of inferior mounts.

Third is the finishing phase. This involves the use of paint kits, such as Polytranspar or LifeTone, and the application of specific paint schedules. The inclusion of these schedules in the catalogues allows the artist to achieve a realistic colouration that mimics the natural appearance of the animal in the wild.

Finally, the presentation phase involves the use of habitat supplies. The catalogues provide a detailed list of organic and synthetic additions to create a realistic scene:

• Flora: Branches, plants, roots, vines, grasses, ferns, cactus, succulents, thorns, briars, and shrubs.
• Environmental Elements: Moss, lichen, shale, mushrooms, and fungus.
• Water Effects: Specialized aquatic supplies and water/snow effects.
• Groundwork: Earth bases, rock panels, and various driftwood options including tumbled cedar, flat back, and 3D driftwood.

Strategic Importance of Catalogue Procurement for Professionals

For a professional taxidermist, the act of requesting these catalogues is a strategic business decision. The catalogues provide a centralized location for comparing the specifications of different manikin series, such as comparing the Boss Head Up Series 700 with the Boss Wall Pedestal Series 900. This allows for better cost estimation and project planning.

The inclusion of "New Products 2025-2026" sections in the McKenzie catalogues is particularly vital. The industry is constantly evolving, with new shoulder forms and life-size forms being released to improve anatomical accuracy. By staying current with these releases, a professional can offer their clients the most modern and realistic mounting options available.

Moreover, the accessibility of these catalogues through simple request forms—requiring only basic contact and address information—lowers the barrier to entry for new students. When combined with the scholarship opportunities offered by Taxidermy Arts Supply, these catalogues serve as the first step in a professional journey, transitioning a hobbyist into a trained expert.

The ability to browse a catalogue and then use a printable order form or a digital basket ensures that the procurement of these highly specialized tools is efficient. Whether it is a simple item like a pedestal rod or a complex setup like a large game foot kit, the catalogues provide the necessary part numbers and specifications to ensure that the correct item is ordered every time, reducing the likelihood of costly mistakes in the mounting process.

Conclusion

The procurement of free taxidermy catalogues from McKenzie Taxidermy Supply, Taxidermy Arts Supply, and Van Dyke/Jonas is an indispensable practice for anyone serious about the craft. These publications are not merely promotional tools but are comprehensive technical manuals that guide the practitioner through the complexities of tanning, mounting, and habitat creation. The transition from a print catalogue to a digital basket represents the modernization of the trade, yet the physical catalogue remains the gold standard for the workshop environment.

The exhaustive nature of these offerings—spanning from the most minute eye reference casts to the largest elephant display bases—demonstrates the sophistication of the modern taxidermy industry. By utilizing the request forms provided by these companies, practitioners can gain access to a wealth of knowledge, including educational videos, reference albums, and scholarship information. Ultimately, these catalogues provide the structural framework upon which professional taxidermy is built, ensuring that every mount is anatomically correct, aesthetically pleasing, and preserved for generations.

Sources

1. McKenzie Taxidermy Supply
2. Taxidermy Arts Supply
3. Free Taxidermy School
4. Van Dyke / Jonas