There are some good taxidermy schools around, PA has a few. If I were going to start out, I would go to school because there is a lot to learn and doing it on your own is a lot of trial and error. When PA still required licensed taxidermists to pass both a written and practical examination, I used to help twice a year with the exams. It boggled the mind that some of the stuff that was presented to the taxidermy board as a specimen to show the work of the applicant was so bad and they thought it was good. You will need to study the taxonomy of birds, mammals and fish because having things like wings and legs and eyes in the wrong place is a common mistake. Goggle taxidermy schools, if you find one you like, get references from students that went there, better yet, talk to some licensed taxidermists in your area that you like their work and ask them to recommend a school.