National Taxidermists
Association · Est. 1972
Become a Member
We exist to promote the art of taxidermy, to protect the freedom to hunt, and to promote wildlife conservation — uniting professionals, suppliers and sportsmen under one Code of Ethics for more than half a century.
The National Taxidermists Association is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the art of taxidermy, to protect the freedom to hunt, and to promote wildlife conservation. Since 1972 we have been the meeting ground where the trade sets its own standard — in the judging room, in the seminar hall, and on the show floor.
01
Anatomy, locomotion, correctness of specimen and degree of difficulty — measured openly against the best work in the country, and taught hands-on to whoever wants to learn it.
02
Protecting the rights of taxidermists and the freedom to hunt — uniting professionals, suppliers and sportsmen, and advocating within the law for positions that benefit them all.
03
Advancing education in taxidermy and wildlife conservation, so that every mount is both a record of an animal and an argument for the habitat it came from.
Advancing education in taxidermy and wildlife conservation.
Protecting taxidermists' rights and uniting professionals, suppliers and sportsmen.
Advocacy supporting positions that benefit taxidermists and sportsmen, within legal boundaries.
Establishing and operating under a formal Code of Ethics.
Entries are scored by credentialled judges. Ninety and above takes a medallion — nothing is graded on a curve, and nothing is graded in private.
Solid-walnut and cherry sculptures, crystal medallions, gift certificates and cash purses — plus memorial awards carrying the names of the people who built this association.
Honors the entry that best demonstrates artistry and craftsmanship among Distinguished medalists and North American gold.
The piece that commands attention through advanced difficulty and correct representation of the specimen, drawn from top medalists across divisions.
Champion, 2nd and 3rd medallions. Judged on correctness of specimen, taxidermy craftsmanship and degree of difficulty.
Champion title medallion and champion hat, plus a competitor's award of crystal medallions and cash for accuracy, originality and difficulty.
Six placements recognizing the most strikingly innovative artistry brought to the show floor.
Natural and Abstract habitat champions, each with two to three placements, judged on the world built around the mount.
Awarded in the Whitetail category, in memory of Joseph Bruchac (1912–1986).
Awarded in the Gamehead category.
For lifesize mounts smaller than a squirrel — named for the first World Taxidermy Championships Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Voted on by Distinguished and North American competitors, honoring the association's 1972 founder.
Recognizing the most artistic piece on the floor, chosen through photographer Ken Edwards' eye.
Voted by all competitors across six categories — the award your own trade hands you.
Every category on the floor starts here — with the living animal, its anatomy, its attitude and the split second the mount is trying to hold.
Annual memberships renew automatically and may be cancelled at any time. All members agree to the NTA Code of Conduct, and must be in good standing at the time of competition registration.
One taxidermist. Full access to the convention, seminars, directory listing and auction bidding.
JoinIncludes significant other and immediate family members under the age of 18.
JoinOwner plus four full-time taxidermists. Customized private sessions available for businesses.
JoinPaid once. Never renews. Your name stays on the roll for as long as you work.
JoinSpouse and immediate family members under the age of 18, for life.
JoinThe National Taxidermists Association was founded in 1972 by Charlie Haynes of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. What began as a handful of working taxidermists agreeing on a standard is now the association that sets one for the country.
Charlie Haynes establishes the National Taxidermists Association in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
A continuous roster of officers and directors documents four decades of volunteer leadership.
Remembered in Breakthrough Magazine and honored each year through the Whitetail category memorial award.
Ralph Garland's account of the association's founding is published in Breakthrough Magazine.
First recipient of the World Taxidermy Championships Lifetime Achievement Award — his name now marks the smallest-mount category.
Convention, Competition & Trade Show held in Bowling Green, Kentucky, July 16–18.
Convention, Competition & Trade Show heads to Western Sports Park in Farmington, Utah, July 14–18.
Sign up to receive e-mail updates about our events and other NTA announcements — convention dates, registration windows, rule changes and results.
National Taxidermists Association
Colt Ford — Treasurer
520 JN Ford Road
Nashville, GA 31639
July 14 – 18, 2027
Western Sports Park
Farmington, Utah