It is with a heavy heart that the NTA informs the membership of the passing of one of our own. Longtime NTA member and life member, Dave Cowley of Oklahoma has passed away. Dave is best known for his unique style of bird taxidermy and his one of a kind personality.  He was on schedule for Wednesday night at the NTA Convention in Lubbock, this summer and was very excited about donating a bird seminar. 

Dave Cowley was an extremely friendly person, and all of our taxidermy friends are sorry to see him go.  Anyone that knew Dave can easily remember seeing him in action at past conventions.  He was fun to be around. One of things we can all remember about Dave was his smile…it was larger than life. 

Dave leaves behind his wife, and numerous family members along with a host of taxidermy family.  Dave’s death is but a reminder that we will all walk that same trail one day.  The NTA grieves with Dave’s family.  May our Heavenly Father comfort them with His love, and may it bring them strength to know His house above is a house of many mansions free from pain and sorrow. 

To see more of how the NTA Conservation Committee has been representing all taxidermists, please read the following: 

Author, actor and SCI member James Swan, Ph.D. called upon SCI members to provide him with tales of their favorite out of the way hunts in preparation for a new book, Chasing the Hunter's Dream, co-authored with TV-hosts Jeff and Sherol Engel. Guides, outfitters and members from around the world responded, adding to the 600-page comprehensive listing of hunting destinations available in print. Chasing the Hunter's Dream is now done and available at http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061343827/Chasing_The_Hunters_Dream/index.aspx ..  SCI members who played an instrumental role in finishing this project include: Joe Hosmer, Tom Dum, Robert Keagy, John Sievers, John Banovich, John Janelli, Wayne Lau, Ivan Carter, Jameson Parker, Srdja Dimitrijevic, Donald William Craig Patterson, Jerome Knap, John Hagen, and Bjorn Birgisson 

The National Taxidermists Association received a request from James Swan, author of “In Defense of Hunting”, to supplement his new book; this assignment was presented to the Conservation Committee.  John Janelli, submitted a ten page chapter entitled “The Business of Taking Care of Trophies” for inclusion in the book.

The NTA is currently seeking responsible, conscientious persons and companies to host and/or sponsor children’s seminars in Lubbock, Texas, July 9-12, 2008.  There are 8 time slots available.  Please contact NTA Headquarters via phone or email or contact Steve Wolk, Seminar Chairman.  Compensation for your time, talents and funding include unlimited smiles, hugs, giggles and thank yous from those in attendance!

Renewal notices for 2008 will be mailed in November 2007.  This allows you to renew your membership early with no lapse in your $12,000 AD&D insurance policy.  You may renew your membership by phone, fax or email in advance using your Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express just phone NTAHQ @ (985) 641-4NTA (4682) or FAX (985) 641-9463 or visit and renew on our secured website www.nationaltaxidermists.com.

Should you choose to upgrade your membership to an NTA Life Member prior to January 1, 2008; the NTA can apply your 2007 dues towards your first initial lifetime installment.

1.  Earned at least 5 points at the NTA Annual Competition including one first place ribbon beginning with the 1982 competition. 

2. Earned at least 16 additional points at a national, regional or state level in NTA sanctioned competition using NTA score sheets, criteria, and judges. 

Note:  One must be an NTA member prior to a competition before points will be credited.  The competition must be an NTA Affiliate or regional and follow NTA requirements for sanctioned competitions.  It is the responsibility of the affiliate to complete the standard NTA forms for proper credit of points earned in competition.  For information on competition points you may contact NTA Headquarters 108 Branch Drive, Slidell, LA 70461 or via email: Ntahq@aol.com or phone toll free (866) 662-9054 or FAX: (985) 641-9463. 

Note:  A of E notification letters informing NTA members that they will be receiving their award in Lubbock, Texas will be mailed in June. 

The NTA Points Committee, wishes to remind everyone that May 15th is the deadline for your competition points to be counted for those persons wanting to receive their 2008 Award of Excellence in Lubbock, Texas.  Those that have completed the requirements will be notified in June that they will be receiving their NTA Award of Excellence.  Please forward points for your competition information promptly.   Points may be forwarded to NTA Headquarters 108 Branch Drive, Slidell, LA 70461 or via email: Ntahq@aol.com or phone toll free (866) 662-9054 or FAX: (985) 641-9463.

The NTA Distinguished Taxidermists Competition is open to those NTA members who have won a Judges Best of Show award at an NTA licensed or sanctioned affiliate or regional, WTC, SCI and NWTF competition since the 2007 NTA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.  Entrants must be registered members of the NTA Convention, be present at the convention, and pay all appropriate entry fees plus an additional $35.00 entry fee for this award prior to the early registration deadline.  Entries in this competition will also be eligible to win all other awards in their proper division. 

The mount entered in the Distinguished Taxidermists Competition must be the exact same mount that won in the state or regional affiliate competition and NO substitutes permitted.  Any mount that has been entered in any previous NTA National Competition is NOT eligible.  Entry into the Distinguished Taxidermists Competition is allowed only if members fulfill these requirements and present an official registration form.   Forms may be obtained from NTA Headquarters upon request.  NO entries are allowed into the Distinguished Taxidermists Competition unless this form is presented at time of registration or entry. 

We now have our eyes set on Lubbock, Texas, July 9-12, 2008, at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.  The NTA performed a mass mailing to prospective exhibitors however, if you have not received this brochure please telephone or email and we will forward to you promptly.  If you have not selected your exhibit space at this time, please contact NTAHQ to secure your space.  Exhibit space is limited, so call now at (985) 641-4NTA (4682) Toll Free @ (866) 662-9054 or email: Ntahq@aol.com to receive your exhibitor’s packet! 

“All of my First Class mail has been forwarded; my Outlook Magazine will be too.”  NOT!

Outlook Magazine is not forwarded.  Each time we mail an issue of Outlook Magazine you would be surprised at how many magazines are discarded by USPS.  To avoid this, all it takes is one minute to phone or email NTAHQ.  If you are planning a move let us know.

Can you help us locate the following missing members?  We have no forwarding address or current telephone number hence they do not receive NTA literature.  If you see the name of a friend, please lend a hand by providing an address, telephone number or email.

James R Baxter  LT-Mission, TX; Robert Brooks  LT-Nokesville,VA; Thadius Countess LT CT-Durango, CO; Jed and Melissa Dunning-Lampasas, TX; Lorraine Harrison  LT AE-John Day, OR Anthony M. Mascipinto  LT-Port Washington, WI; Donald T. Parsons-Gainesville, FL; Lee Prescott LT-Cody,WY; Robert A. Randall  LT-Pittfield, MA; Thomas D Scott-Palmerton, PA; Wayne Swords  LT-New Holland, PA; Becky Varble LT-Godfrey, IL;Vernel Wagner LT-Cody, WY; Bart Walker  LT-Weatherford, TX; Danny Waters-Millboro, VA; Adam Zorn LT-Cordova,SC

The National Taxidermists Association scoresheets, judging criteria and judges are designed to distinguish and assist those taxidermists who endeavor toward high quality standards in their competition entries. The National Taxidermists Association is pleased to present the following information with regard to sanctioned events. 

All state chapters will be considered in one of four categories when hosting taxidermy competitions.  Please read below to reference where your state chapter falls.

1.  Affiliated states are those whose memberships are 100-percent NTA members.  These states may host sanctioned NTA competitions provided they make use of NTA judging criteria, NTA judges and NTA scoresheets.  Their competitors, as NTA members, will earn points toward their NTA Award of Excellence and NTA Certification.  Points must be presented to the NTA Pointskeeper by May 15th in order to qualify for that years Award of Excellence.  Affiliated states are provided 100 complimentary scoresheets yearly.  Affiliated state conventions are published in “Outlook” once information is forwarded to NTA Headquarters.

2.  For a $250.00 "licensing fee" per event, all associations other than NTA affiliates, may conduct a sanctioned competition provided that NTA judging criteria, NTA judges and NTA scoresheets are used. Scoresheets must be purchased from NTAHQ.  All NTA members that enter competition will earn points toward their NTA Award of Excellence and NTA Certification.  Points must be presented to the NTA Pointskeeper by May 15th in order to qualify for that year Award of Excellence. Sanctioned taxidermy competitions are published in “Outlook” upon receipt of information at NTAHQ.

3.  If chapters desire to host an unsanctioned competition they have the option of paying a $50.00 “licensing agreement” and make use of the NTA copyrighted scoresheets, which must be purchased through NTAHQ.  However, competition points are not credited for competitors, as the competition is not an NTA sanctioned event.  Without a signed and paid licensing agreement or licensing fee, no competition may legally make use of the NTA scoresheets.  NTA scoresheets are protected by U.S. copyright. Without the licensing fee, or licensing agreement, NTA copyrighted scoresheets cannot be used under any condition.

4. Chapters are, of course open to host unsanctioned competition and make use of their own or other form of scoresheet.

The above information released by National Taxidermists Association Headquarters, 108 Branch Drive, Slidell, Louisiana 70461.  For scoresheet costs, licensing agreement and additional information contact NTAHQ (985) 641-4NTA (4682) or Toll Free: (866) 662-9054.
 

Please take the time to visit  The Taxidermist Emergency Relief Fund Site Mounts and taxidermy items for sale on www.taxidermistrelieffund.com Join the NTA now! Call, write, or e-mail Cindy at NTA Headquarters NTA Headquarters 108 Branch Drive Slidell, LA 70461 Phone 1-866-662-9054 E-mail: ntahq@aol.com Fax: 985-641-9463 Want to know about advertising rates with the NTA? Click here for our Media Kit Information Copyright © 2001-2008 National Taxidermists Association