Competition Awards • National Taxidermists Association

National Taxidermists Association Competition Awards

Competitors must have a Full Convention Registration, be present at the convention, attend the Convention Banquet, be photographed & recognized in order to win any awards.

The NATIONAL TAXIDERMISTS CHAMPIONSHIPS offer a huge lineup of AWARDS & HONORS – it is the responsibility of the competitor to read the competition rules & award criteria requirements.

NTA TAXIDERMIST OF THE YEAR ~ HIGHEST NTA HONOR. $1000. 00, Lion Sculpture
An outstanding and remarkable specimen along with extraordinary craftsmanship.
Limited to Division of Excellence and Open Division,
Piece must be entered at NTA Convention as a single entry,
Selected by the judges collectively, numerical score is not a factor.
THE BREAKTHROUGH BEST OF SHOW $1000, Plaque
Chosen from North American Champions and National Champions,
Each entry on a multiple entry piece must score 90 or above,
Selected by the judges collectively, numerical score is not a factor.
WASCO AWARD $250.00 Gift Certificate, Trophy
Most Artistic Entry,
Limited to Division of Excellence and Open Division entries,
Each entry on a multiple entry piece must score 90 or above,
Selected by the judges collectively, numerical score is not a factor.
Award Provided and Sponsored by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply.
PEARL HENDERSON MEMORIAL AWARD
Chosen by the NTA Board of Directors.
This award is given to an NTA Member(s) who has shown continuing solid efforts with an unselfish willingness to assist others and perform duties beyond expectations.
A perfect example of a Great Leader!
NTA BEST OF DIVISION CHALLENGE OF THE ART $250, $150, $100, 1st Trophy
Judged on Overall Artistic Impression,
Must enter Challenge of the Art Division,
Entries may be single, multiple, or taxidermy studio,
Selected by the judges collectively,
Numerical score is not a factor.
NTA DISTINGUISHED TAXIDERMIST AWARD Trophy $150
Mount’s Overall Merit,
Limited to state and region Best of Show, and WTC Medallion Winners,
Entrant must pre-register and supply proof of award,
Piece must be entered at NTA Convention as a single entry,
Judged on Overall Merit,
Selected by the judges collectively,
Numerical score is not a factor.
JOSEPH BRUCHAC MEMORIAL AWARD $100.00, Plaque
Overall Merit of Presentation,
National Champion or North American Champion,
Selected by the Whitetail Judge,
Numerical score not a factor.
CHRIS BARNHARDT MEMORIAL AWARD $100.00, Plaque
Overall Merit of Presentation,
Division of Excellence and Open Division entries,
Selected by the Gamehead Judge,
Numerical score not a factor.
HENRY WICHERS INCHUMUK MEMORIAL AWARD $100.00, Plaque
Overall Merit of Presentation,
Mount must be the size of a squirrel or smaller,
Freeze-dry process prohibited,
Selected by Lifesize Judge,
Numerical score not a factor.
BRIAN HARNESS MEMORIAL AWARD $250.00 Gift Certificate, Plaque
Overall Merit of Presentation,
Division of Excellence and Open Division entries,
Selected by the Lifesize Judge,
Numerical score not a factor.
Award Provided and Sponsored by Ozark Woods Taxidermy Supply
FRANK NEWMYER BIRD AWARD $250.00 Gift Certificate, Plaque
Overall Merit of Presentation,
Division of Excellence and Open Division entries,
Selected by the Bird Judge,
Numerical score not a factor.
Award Provided and Sponsored by Wildlife Gallery
POLYTRANSPAR FISH AWARD $100.00 Gift Certificate, Plaque
Most Realistic application of Polytranspar Products,
Any Division,
Selected by the Fish Judge,
Numerical score not a factor.
Award Provided and Sponsored by Polytranspar
NTA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONS ~ DIVISION OF EXCELLENCE MEDALLION
Highest Scoring Entry in the Division of Excellence with score of 90 or above,
Chosen from 17 categories,
Recreations: one North American Champion from all subcategories,
Freeze-Dry entries are prohibited,
Ties: respective judge shall award champion from the presentation’s overall merit.
NTA DIVISION OF EXCELLENCE COMPETITOR’S AWARDS $1,500.00, $1000.00, $750.00; Medallions
Competitors must pre-register and identify their four entries ,
Competitors may enter multiple groups of four,
Cannot sweep division,
Selected by the judges collectively,
Numerical score is not a factor.
NTA DIVISION OF EXCELLENCE BEST ALL AROUND $250.00, Trophy
Competitors entering this must have one designated entry in each of the four following categories: Bird (any species), Fish or Reptile (any species), Life-size Mammal (any species), and a Game-head (any species, half-life size are included in the game-head category);
competitors must pre-register and identify their four Best All-Around entries where indicated on the competition entry forms;
all 4 must be in the same division; each entry must score 90 or above;
selected by the judges collectively.
NTA DIVISION OF EXCELLENCE COMPETITOR’S CHOICE
CHARLEY HAYNES MEMORIAL AWARD Multiple Vendor Gift Certificates, Plaque
Division of Excellence Entries,
Chosen by majority vote from Division of Excellence entrants as their favorite piece.
DIVISION OF EXCELLENCE HABITAT AWARD ~ NATURAL/REALISTIC CATEGORY
1st, 2nd, 3rd place ribbons
Gift Certificates: 1st $150, 2nd $75, 3rd $50; 1st place Trophy
Without this habitat, taxidermy entry would not have made such an impact,
accurate habitat representation,
habitat proportionate to mount,
chosen by Habitat Judge from all Division of Excellence entries,
no score sheet, critique.
Awards provided and sponsored by Scenes-n-Nature.
DIVISION OF EXCELLENCE PRESENTATION AWARD ~ ABSTRACT/ UNCONVENTIONAL CATEGORY
1st, 2nd, 3rd place ribbons
Gift Certificates: 1st $150, 2nd $75, 3rd $50; 1st place Trophy
Without this presentation, taxidermy entry would not have made such an impact,
exceptionally creative presentation along with extraordinary craftsmanship,
‘habitat’ proportionate to mount,
chosen by Habitat Judge from all Division of Excellence entries,
no score sheet, critique.
Awards provided and sponsored by Scenes-n-Nature.
NTA VIRTUOSO AWARD $250.00; Buffalo Sculpture
Awarded to an outstanding use of molded and casted parts
Such as: mouth cups, jaw sets, birds’ feet, fish heads, cast displays, etc.
Open to ALL Divisions,
Selected by the judges collectively,
Numerical score is not a factor.
Award provided and sponsored by PRO-1 Performance Chemicals

NTA LIVE MOUNTING AWARDS:

Lone Warrior Minimum 10 ~ Single Competitor Entries needed to take place.

10 competitors, 3 places. $1000.00, $750.00, $500.00
15 competitors, 5 places same plus $350.00, $200.00
20 competitors, 6 places same plus $150.00.
25 competitors, 8 places same plus $125.00, $100.00
2 Legit 2 Quit Minimum 8 ~ Two Competitor Teams needed to take place.

1st $2250.00
2nd $1500.00
3rd. $1000.00
Triple Threat Minimum 6 ~ Three Competitor Teams needed to take place.

1st $3500.00
2nd $2250.00

PARAMETERS:

Degree of difficulty is a factor, but the mount must be well executed.

All three divisions are open to any type of mounts.

Unfinished, partially finished, or finished bases are allowed.

Design and composition may help though be careful as habitat and bases should not overwhelm the subject.

Competitor must bring everything except: NTA supplies one table for Lone Category and two for all others, and plastic table coverings.

Competitor must bring plastic or tarp to work on.

TIME ALLOTMENT: 3 hours Friday and 1 hour Saturday

RULES:

Skin & Form: As much prep as you would like!
Tanned Skins Only.

Eyes: Cannot be set.
Setting and clay work must be done during contest.
No premade eyelid parts may be used.

Ears: Earliners may be fitted but not installed until contest.
Bondo/Filler method is very acceptable.
Premade earbutts are allowed but cannot be attached to the form.

Mouth & Nose: Premade fleshy parts are allowed and may be installed prior to contest.

Beaks, Bills, and Feet: Premade parts are allowed.

Premade wattles, combs, airsacks, etc., eye-rings permitted.

Finishing Paints etc.: No aerosols or spraying.
Basic Spray Bottles with water are allowed.

Fish: Pedestal mounts only.
Skin may be fully prepped.
Body may be blanked from templates but all carving must be done during competition.
Cast heads and fins may be premade.
Eyes cannot be set.

NTA IMPACT AWARD $250.00 Cape Buffalo Sculpture
Awarded to a piece that creates a visual impact due to an accurate depiction of the essence of the species being portrayed.
Open to ALL Divisions,
Selected by the judges collectively,
Numerical score is not a factor.
Award provided and sponsored by Champions Choice
NTA ORIGINAL ART ~ BEST OF DIVISION $100.00 Trophy
Selected by the judges collectively from all first place winners in the six original art categories. There are no score sheets, judges will consider overall merit.
NTA OPEN DIVISION ~ OPEN DIVISION MEDALLION
Highest Scoring Entry in the Open Division with a score 90 and above,
Chosen from 17 categories,
Recreations: one National Champion from all subcategories,
Freeze-Dry entries are prohibited,
Ties: respective judge shall award champion from the piece’s overall merit.
NTA NATIONAL CHAMPION COMPETITOR’S AWARDS
$1,000.00, $500.00, $250.00 1st place Medallion
Competitors must pre-register and identify their four entries ,
Competitors may enter multiple groups of four,
Cannot sweep category,
Selected by the judges collectively,
Numerical score is not a factor.
NTA OPEN DIVISION BEST ALL AROUND $250.00 TrophyCompetitors entering this must have one designated entry in each of the four following categories: Bird (any species), Fish or Reptile (any species), Life-size Mammal (any species), and a Game-head (any species, half-life size are included in the game-head category); competitors must pre-register and identify their four Best All-Around entries where indicated on the competition entry forms; all 4 must be in the same division;
each entry must score 90 or above; selected by the judges collectively;
numerical score is not a factor.
OPEN DIVISION HABITAT AWARD ~ NATURAL/REALISTIC CATEGORY
1st, 2nd, 3rd place ribbons
Gift Certificates: 1st $150, 2nd $75, 3rd $50 1st Place Trophy
Without this habitat, taxidermy entry would not have made such an impact,
Accurate habitat representation,
Habitat proportionate to mount,
Chosen by Habitat Judge from all Open Division entries,
No score sheet, critique available.
Awards provided and sponsored by Scenes-n-Nature.
OPEN DIVISION PRESENTATION AWARD ~ ABSTRACT/UNCONVENTIONAL CATEGORY
1st, 2nd, 3rd place ribbons. Gift Certificates: 1st $150, 2nd $75, 3rd $50 1st Place Trophy
Without this presentation, taxidermy entry would not have made such an impact,
exceptionally creative presentation along with extraordinary craftsmanship,
‘Habitat’ proportionate to mount, chosen by Habitat Judge from all Open Division entries, no score sheet, critique available.
Awards provided and sponsored by Scenes-n-Nature.
NTA Taxidermy Sculptures Best of Division $100.00 Trophy
Judged on correctness and overall merit.
Selected by judges collectively from all first-place winners, respective scoresheet, critique, numerical score is not a factor.
Van Dyke $100.00 Trophy
Mount that displays the most originality and creativity.
Chosen from all areas of competition,
Selected by the judges collectively,
Numerical score is not a factor.
Collective Artists $250.00
Pieces whereby one or more competitors have worked on an entry,
Must score 90 or above by the judge in competitor’s category to be considered for a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place ribbons, 1st place cash award,
Cash award contingent on division having three or more entries,
Final selected by the judges collectively on overall merit.
Novice Best of Division $100.00 Multiple Vendor Gift Certificate, Trophy
Eligible to the highest scoring piece from each of five categories,
Selected by the judges collectively,
Numerical score is not a factor.

Taxidermist’s Choice $100.00 Multiple Vendor Gift Certificate, Trophy provided by Mc Kenzie Taxidermy Supply

Favorite Mount voted on by each competitor in the following categories:

Whitetail
Bird
Lifesize
Fish
Gamehead
Reptile