IF you're friends with your 2nd cousin, go and visit. You have a great opp. because alot of people think they'll like taxidermy, but when the blood, guts and fur fly, they really don't think it's for them. Go check him out and talk to him, he may let you help around the shop. A squirrel is the best thing to start with, IMHO, because they are plentiful and a pain in the rump. If you can mount a squirrel and get it to look good, you are about home free. I started with a squirrel and wouldn't change it. When you skin one to it's second knuckle joint, you know that you can skin anything. And when it turns out well, you know you can mount anything. These are just my opinions but.... Hope it helps