2021 Major Award Winners
Taxidermist of the Year
The Theodore Roosevelt Lion Award – $1,000.00
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, Texas
196 Sable
The Theodore Roosevelt Lion Award – $1,000.00
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, Texas
196 Sable
The Breakthrough Best of Show Award
Judges’ Choice Best of Show – $1,000.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma
356 Whitetail Deer
Judges’ Choice Best of Show – $1,000.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma
356 Whitetail Deer
The WASCO Award
Most Artistic Entry – $250.00
CLINT RICKEY Dodgeville, Wisconsin
127 Aoudad
Most Artistic Entry – $250.00
CLINT RICKEY Dodgeville, Wisconsin
127 Aoudad
NTA Competitor’s Award – Division of Excellence
First Place – $1,500.00
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana 262 Cuttbow Trout
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana 260 Westslope Cutthroat Trout
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana 261 Westslope Cutthroat Trout
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana 263 Brook Trout
First Place – $1,500.00
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana 262 Cuttbow Trout
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana 260 Westslope Cutthroat Trout
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana 261 Westslope Cutthroat Trout
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana 263 Brook Trout
NTA Competitor’s Award – Division of Excellence
Second Place – $1,000.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota 284 Wild Turkey
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota 285 California Quail
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota 286 King Eider
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota 287 Northern Shoveler / Wigeon hybrid
Second Place – $1,000.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota 284 Wild Turkey
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota 285 California Quail
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota 286 King Eider
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota 287 Northern Shoveler / Wigeon hybrid
NTA Competitor’s Award – Open Division
First Place – $1,000.00
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri 219 Axis Deer
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri 220 Silver Fox
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri 221 Gemsbok
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri 222 Whitetail Deer
First Place – $1,000.00
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri 219 Axis Deer
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri 220 Silver Fox
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri 221 Gemsbok
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri 222 Whitetail Deer
NTA Competitor’s Award – Open Division
Second Place – $500.00
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota 249 Black Bear
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota 250 Black Bear
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota 251 Black Bear
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota 252 Black Bear
Second Place – $500.00
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota 249 Black Bear
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota 250 Black Bear
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota 251 Black Bear
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota 252 Black Bear
NTA Competitor’s Award – Open Division
Third Place – $250.00
ERIN KRINGS Hawkings, Minnesota 157 Bobcat
ERIN KRINGS Hawkings, Minnesota 158 Pine Marten
ERIN KRINGS Hawkings, Minnesota 159 Whitetail Deer
ERIN KRINGS Hawkings, Minnesota 160 Fisher
Third Place – $250.00
ERIN KRINGS Hawkings, Minnesota 157 Bobcat
ERIN KRINGS Hawkings, Minnesota 158 Pine Marten
ERIN KRINGS Hawkings, Minnesota 159 Whitetail Deer
ERIN KRINGS Hawkings, Minnesota 160 Fisher
Best All-Around Taxidermist
Highest Combined Score in Four Categories in Open Division – $100.00
KENT ALLARD Sydney, Nebraska 208 Black Bear
KENT ALLARD Sydney, Nebraska 209 Mule Deer
KENT ALLARD Sydney, Nebraska 210 Prairie Rattlesnake
KENT ALLARD Sydney, Nebraska 211 Red Crested Pochard/Speckled Teal Hen
Highest Combined Score in Four Categories in Open Division – $100.00
KENT ALLARD Sydney, Nebraska 208 Black Bear
KENT ALLARD Sydney, Nebraska 209 Mule Deer
KENT ALLARD Sydney, Nebraska 210 Prairie Rattlesnake
KENT ALLARD Sydney, Nebraska 211 Red Crested Pochard/Speckled Teal Hen
Distinguished Taxidermist Award
Entry has previously won a Judges’ Best of Show at another qualifying competition – $150.00
JENA EVERAGE Versailles, Indiana
191 Whitetail Deer
Entry has previously won a Judges’ Best of Show at another qualifying competition – $150.00
JENA EVERAGE Versailles, Indiana
191 Whitetail Deer
Challenge of the Art of Taxidermy
First Place – $250.00
CRAIG WESTBROEK Plain City, Utah
131 Common Goldeneye
First Place – $250.00
CRAIG WESTBROEK Plain City, Utah
131 Common Goldeneye
Challenge of the Art of Taxidermy
Second Place – $150.00
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri
220 Silver Fox
Second Place – $150.00
LANCE VAN DUSEN Lawson, Missouri
220 Silver Fox
Challenge of the Art of Taxidermy
Third Place – $100.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
347 Steinbok
Third Place – $100.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
347 Steinbok
NTA Best of Show Collective Artists
Judges’ Choice for Best Collective Artists Entry – $300.00
JAMES BENSON and JARED GLIMSDAHL East Grand Forks, Montana
177 Bighorn Sheep
Judges’ Choice for Best Collective Artists Entry – $300.00
JAMES BENSON and JARED GLIMSDAHL East Grand Forks, Montana
177 Bighorn Sheep
Master’s Choice Award
Selected by convention attendees
MIKE NAKIELSKI Iron Ridge, Wisconsin
248 Shoveler
Selected by convention attendees
MIKE NAKIELSKI Iron Ridge, Wisconsin
248 Shoveler
Henry Wichers Inchumuk Award
Judges’ Choice for Best Lifesize Mammal, Size of Squirrel or Smaller – $100.00
ROSS RICHARD Herriman, Utah
274 Raccoon
Judges’ Choice for Best Lifesize Mammal, Size of Squirrel or Smaller – $100.00
ROSS RICHARD Herriman, Utah
274 Raccoon
Joseph Bruchac Memorial Award
Judges’ Choice for Best Whitetail Deer – $100.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma
256 Whitetail Deer
Judges’ Choice for Best Whitetail Deer – $100.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma
256 Whitetail Deer
Chris Barnhardt Memorial Award
Judges’ Choice for Best Gamehead – $100.00
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, Texas
196 Sable
Judges’ Choice for Best Gamehead – $100.00
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, Texas
196 Sable
Brian Harness Memorial Award
Judges’ Choice for Best Lifesize Mammal – $100.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
347 Steinbok
Judges’ Choice for Best Lifesize Mammal – $100.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
347 Steinbok
National Wild Turkey Federation Award
Judges’ Choice for Best Turkey – $100.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota
284 Wild Turkey
Judges’ Choice for Best Turkey – $100.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota
284 Wild Turkey
2021 North American Champions
North American Champion Turkey
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota
284 Wild Turkey
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota
284 Wild Turkey
North American Champion Whitetail Deer Open-Mouth
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma 256
Whitetail Deer
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma 256
Whitetail Deer
North American Champion Whitetail Deer Closed-Mouth
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
JENA EVERAGE Versailles, Indiana
191 Whitetail Deer
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
JENA EVERAGE Versailles, Indiana
191 Whitetail Deer
North American Champion Large Gamehead
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, Texas
196 Sable
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, Texas
196 Sable
North American Champion Large Mammal
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
JOHNNY RISINGER Mt. Enterprise, Texas
339 Whitetail Deer
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
JOHNNY RISINGER Mt. Enterprise, Texas
339 Whitetail Deer
North American Champion Small Mammal
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
347 Steinbok
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
347 Steinbok
North American Champion Coldwater Fish Skin Mount
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana
262 Cutbow Trout
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana
262 Cutbow Trout
North American Champion Bird
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota
129 California Quail
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota
129 California Quail
North American Champion Habitat
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
CLINT RICKEY Dodgeville, Wisconsin
127 Aoudad
First Place in the Division of Excellence – $200.00
CLINT RICKEY Dodgeville, Wisconsin
127 Aoudad
NTA Best Habitat Award
Judges’ Choice for Outstanding Habitat – $100.00
CLINT RICKEY Dodgeville, Wisconsin
127 Aoudad
Judges’ Choice for Outstanding Habitat – $100.00
CLINT RICKEY Dodgeville, Wisconsin
127 Aoudad
2021 National Champions
National Champion Whitetail Deer Open-Mouth
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
TIM SCHROEDER Huxley, Iowa
309 Whitetail Deer
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
TIM SCHROEDER Huxley, Iowa
309 Whitetail Deer
National Champion Whitetail Deer Closed-Mouth
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
TOM HANSEN Windom, Montana
300 Whitetail Deer
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
TOM HANSEN Windom, Montana
300 Whitetail Deer
National Champion Small Gamehead
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
ABEL EVERAGE Versailles, Indiana
337 Coyote
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
ABEL EVERAGE Versailles, Indiana
337 Coyote
National Champion Large Gamehead
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
PAUL KLAR Broadus, Montana
254 Pronghorn Antelope
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
PAUL KLAR Broadus, Montana
254 Pronghorn Antelope
National Champion Large Mammal
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota
251 Black Bear
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
NICK GENEREUX Crookston, Minnesota
251 Black Bear
National Champion Small Mammal
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
ERIN KRINGS Hawkins, Wisconsin
160 Fisher
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
ERIN KRINGS Hawkins, Wisconsin
160 Fisher
National Champion Reptile Skin Mount
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
ROYCE DAKE Ulm, Utah
279 Prairie Rattlesnake
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
ROYCE DAKE Ulm, Utah
279 Prairie Rattlesnake
National Champion Warmwater Fish Reproduction
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
SCOTT LULA Wisdom, Montana
288 Shevelnose Sturgeon
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
SCOTT LULA Wisdom, Montana
288 Shevelnose Sturgeon
National Champion Waterfowl
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
TIM COOLEY Akeney, Iowa
302 Pintail
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
TIM COOLEY Akeney, Iowa
302 Pintail
NTA Best Bird Award
Judges’ Choice for Best Bird – $100.00
TIM COOLEY Akeney, Iowa
302 Pintail
Judges’ Choice for Best Bird – $100.00
TIM COOLEY Akeney, Iowa
302 Pintail
National Champion Bird
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
TIM COOLEY Akeney, Iowa
303 Ringneck Pheasant
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
TIM COOLEY Akeney, Iowa
303 Ringneck Pheasant
National Champion Habitat
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
CRYSTAL HALFHILL Scottsdale, Pennsylvania
137 Groundhog Habitat
Highest Score in the Open Division – $100.00
CRYSTAL HALFHILL Scottsdale, Pennsylvania
137 Groundhog Habitat
2021 Other Awards
NTA Impact Award
NTA Impact Award
Sponsored by Champions Choice – $200.00
ERIN KRINGS Hawkins, Wisconsin
160 Fisher
Sponsored by Champions Choice – $200.00
ERIN KRINGS Hawkins, Wisconsin
160 Fisher
NTA Virtuoso Award
NTA Virtuoso Award
Sponsored by Pro-1 for excellence in “Molding & Casting” – $200.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma
256 Whitetail Deer
Sponsored by Pro-1 for excellence in “Molding & Casting” – $200.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma
256 Whitetail Deer
Taxidermists’ Choice Best Whitetail Award
Taxidermists’ Choice Best Whitetail Award
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma
256 Whitetail Deer
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
WES MOTE Tuttle, Oklahoma
256 Whitetail Deer
NTA Best of Show Novice
NTA Best of Show Novice
Judges’ Choice for Best Novice Entry – $100.00
MICHAEL RYSAVY Brookings, South Dakota
244 Black Crappie
Judges’ Choice for Best Novice Entry – $100.00
MICHAEL RYSAVY Brookings, South Dakota
244 Black Crappie
People’s Choice Award
People’s Choice Award
The Charley Haynes Memorial Award – $100.00
JAMIE BRINCKS Council Bluff, Iowa
334 Horse
The Charley Haynes Memorial Award – $100.00
JAMIE BRINCKS Council Bluff, Iowa
334 Horse
Delia Akeley Award
Delia Akeley Award
Best entry by a female competitor selected by convention attendees – $100.00
JAMIE BRINCKS Council Bluff, Iowa
334 Horse
Best entry by a female competitor selected by convention attendees – $100.00
JAMIE BRINCKS Council Bluff, Iowa
334 Horse
Taxidermists' Choice Best Lifesize Mammal Award
Taxidermists’ Choice Best Lifesize Mammal Award
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
JAMES BENTON East Grand Forks, Minnesota
178 Moose Calf
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
JAMES BENTON East Grand Forks, Minnesota
178 Moose Calf
Taxidermists’ Choice Best Fish Award
Taxidermists’ Choice Best Fish Award
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana
262 Cutbow Trout
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana
262 Cutbow Trout
The Polytranspar Award
The Polytranspar Award
Highest Scoring Fish Painted with Polytranspar – $100.00
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana
262 Cutbow Trout
Highest Scoring Fish Painted with Polytranspar – $100.00
RICHARD WHITE Billings, Montana
262 Cutbow Trout
Taxidermists’ Choice Best Reptile Award
Taxidermists’ Choice Best Reptile Award
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
ROYCE DAKE Ulm, Utah
280 Ball Python
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
ROYCE DAKE Ulm, Utah
280 Ball Python
Taxidermists’ Choice Best Bird Award
Taxidermists’ Choice Best Bird Award
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota
284 Wild Turkey
Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply – $100.00
SAM CAHOY Aberdeen, South Dakota
284 Wild Turkey
NTA Best of Show Taxidermy Sculpture
NTA Best of Show Taxidermy Sculpture
Sponsored by the National Taxidermists Association – $100.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
349 Marco Polo Sheep
Sponsored by the National Taxidermists Association – $100.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
349 Marco Polo Sheep
People’s Choice Taxidermy Sculpture
People’s Choice Taxidermy Sculpture
Sponsored by the National Taxidermists Association – $100.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
349 Marco Polo Sheep
Sponsored by the National Taxidermists Association – $100.00
BILL NEUMAN Bismarck, North Dakota
349 Marco Polo Sheep
NTA Best of Show Original Art
NTA Best of Show Original Art
Selected by the judges collectively from all first-place winners in the five Original Art categories – $100.00
TIM HECHT Jackson, Minnesota
318 Elephant
Selected by the judges collectively from all first-place winners in the five Original Art categories – $100.00
TIM HECHT Jackson, Minnesota
318 Elephant
People’s Choice Original Art
People’s Choice Original Art
Sponsored by the National Taxidermists Association – $100.00
CHARITY NEWMAN Shadehill, South Dakota
126 Pencil Drawing
Sponsored by the National Taxidermists Association – $100.00
CHARITY NEWMAN Shadehill, South Dakota
126 Pencil Drawing
Van Dyke’s Award
Van Dyke’s AwardVan Dyke’s Award
Most Creativity Mammal, Gamehead or Whitetail Entry – $100.00Van Dyke’s Award
GARY WEIR Montrose, Colorado Van Dyke’s Award165 Whitetail Deer
NTA International African-Exotic Award
NTA International African/Exotic Award
Judges’ Choice for Best African/Exotic Mount – $100.00
DEAN SCHULTE Coalville, Utah
145 African Lion
Judges’ Choice for Best African/Exotic Mount – $100.00
DEAN SCHULTE Coalville, Utah
145 African Lion
Youth Horizon Award
Youth Horizon Award
Judges’ Best of Show Youth Division – $100.00
DAGEN HANSEN Windom, Minnesota
138 Raccoon
Judges’ Best of Show Youth Division – $100.00
DAGEN HANSEN Windom, Minnesota
138 Raccoon
Children’s Horizon Award
Children’s Horizon Award
Judges’ Best of Show Children’s Division – $100.00
HYATT HANSEN Windom, Minnesota
176 Muskrat
Judges’ Best of Show Children’s Division – $100.00
HYATT HANSEN Windom, Minnesota
176 Muskrat