National Taxidermists Association

Dedicated to promoting and protecting the art and practice of taxidermy.

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

No refunds will be given.

  1. NTA TAXIDERMIST OF THE YEAR ~ Cash Award – Selected by the judges collectively from all mounts entered in the Division of Excellence. In making the selection judges are not bound by any numerical score an individual mount may have received but will make the selection based upon the mounts overall merit.
  2. THE BREAKTHROUGH BEST OF SHOW ~ Cash Award – Selected by the judges collectively from all Division of Excellence and Open Division entries. In making the selection judges are not bound by any numerical score but will make the selection based upon the mounts overall merit.
  3. WASCO AWARD ~ Cash Award – Limited to entries in the Division of Excellence and the Open Division. To be selected by the judges as the most artistic entry.
  4. NTA COMPETITOR’S AWARDS ~ Division of Excellence: 1st $1500, 2nd $1000, 3rd $750 ~ Open Division: 1st $1000, 2nd $500, 3rd $250 Cash Awards – Competitors must enter 4 pieces either in the Division of Excellence or Open Division. Numerical score does not determine placement.  This is a judge’s selection determination.
  5. NTA BEST ALL-AROUND TAXIDERMIST ~ Cash Award – Division of Excellence & Open Division – Competitors entering this must have one designated entry in each of the four following categories: Bird (any species), Fish or Reptile (any species), Lifesize Mammal (any size), and a Gamehead (any species – half-lifesize are included in the gamehead category).  Competitors must identify their four Best All Around entries where indicated on the competition entry forms – all 4 must be in the same division.  The person with the highest total numerical score with four entries will win this award.
  6. NTA DISTINGUISHED TAXIDERMIST AWARD ~ Cash Award – Limited to competitors whose entry has previously won a “Judges Best of Show” at a State, Regional or WTC event where only one “Judges Best of Show” is awarded. It will be the responsibility of the competitor to obtain forms from NTAHQ for eligibility. Entries are limited to the same entry that won the Best of Show. The judges will select the winner of this award collectively and numerical score does not bind them. Selection will be based on the mounts overall merit.
  7. NTA CHALLENGE OF THE ART ~ Cash Awards – Limited to entries competing in the Challenge of the Art Division. A first, second, & third place will be selected by the judges. This is judged on artistic interpretation. Entries may be entered by a single, multiple, or taxidermy studio entry.
  8. NTA BEST OF SHOW – COLLECTIVE ARTISTS ~ Cash Award – Limited to entries competing in the Collective Artists Division where more than one taxidermist has worked on the entry. The winning entry is selected by the Judges from the first-place ribbon winners in each Collective Artists category.
  9. NTA MASTERS CHOICE AWARDS – A first, second, & third place ribbon will be awarded. Selected by the voting of the registered convention members. Ballots are included in registration packets and ballot box is located in the competition room.
  10. HENRY WICHERS INCHUMUK AWARD ~ Cash Award – Limited to entries in the Division of Excellence and Open Division. The Mount must be the size of a squirrel or smaller that are not involved in the freeze-dry process. Based on the Highest Numerical Score.
  11. JOSEPH BRUCHAC MEMORIAL AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by the whitetail judge from the National Champion or North American Champion Divisions. In making the selection, judges are not bound by score but will consider the mounts overall merit.
  12. CHRIS BARNHARDT MEMORIAL AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by the Gamehead judge from the National Champion and North American Champion Divisions. In making the selection, judges are not bound by score but will consider the mounts overall merit.
  13. BRIAN HARNESS MEMORIAL AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by the Life-Size judge from the National Champion and North American Champion Small Life-Size Mammals. In making the selection, judges are not bound by score but will consider the mounts overall merit.
  14. NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by the Bird judge from the National Champion and North American Champion Turkeys. In making the selection, judges are not bound by score but will consider the mounts overall merit.
  15. NTA NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONS ~ 15 Categories ~ Cash Awards Each – Limited to NTA members competing in the Division of Excellence. A maximum of fifteen North American Champions will be named from the categories in the Division of Excellence based on the Highest Numerical Score in each category. In the case of Re-creations, one North American Champion will be selected based on the Highest Numerical Score in the Re-creation subcategories. Freeze-Dry & Habitat entries are not eligible for North American Champion.  To be eligible for North American Champion, the highest scoring entry must be a first-place ribbon. In the case of a tie the judges will make the determination based upon the mounts overall merit.
  16. NTA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ~ 15 Categories ~ Cash Awards Each – Limited to NTA members competing in the Open Division. A maximum of fifteen National Champions will be named from the categories based on the Highest Numerical Score. In the case of Re-creations, one National Champion will be selected based on the Highest Numerical Score in the Re-creation subcategories. Freeze-Dry & Habitat entries are not eligible for National Champion. To be eligible for National Champion, the highest scoring entry must be a first-place ribbon. If no mount scores a first place, no award will be given in that category. In the case of a tie the judges will make the determination based upon the mounts overall merit.
  17. NTA VIRTUOSO AWARD ~ Cash Award – Sponsored by PRO-1 Performance Chemicals. Awarded to the best display of excellence in “Molding & Casting” and covers a wide array of taxidermy areas, such as; mouth cups, birds feet, fish heads, cast displays, etc. Open to all Divisions.
  18. NTA BEST OF SHOW – NOVICE ~ Cash Award – There are five categories. The best of show will be selected from one of the five Best of Categories based on the highest numerical score.
  19. PEOPLE’S CHOICE – CHARLEY HAYNES MEMORIAL AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by convention members as the best entry in the competition.
  20. TAXIDERMIST CHOICE – BEST WHITETAIL AWARD ~ Cash Award – Limited to whitetail entries competing in the Division of Excellence and the Open Division. Selected by the registered competitors.
  21. TAXIDERMIST CHOICE – BEST LIFESIZE MAMMAL AWARD ~ Cash Award – Limited to lifesize mammal entries competing in the Division of Excellence and the Open Division. Selected by registered competitors.
  22. TAXIDERMIST CHOICE – BEST FISH AWARD ~ Cash Award – Limited to fish entries competing in the Division of Excellence and the Open Division. Selected by the registered competitors.
  23. TAXIDERMIST CHOICE – BEST REPTILE AWARD ~ Cash Award – Limited to Reptiles or Amphibians entries competing in the Division of Excellence and the Open Division. Selected by the registered competitors.
  24. TAXIDERMIST CHOICE – BEST BIRD AWARD ~ Cash Award – Limited to bird, turkey, or waterfowl entries competing in the Division of Excellence and the Open Division. Selected by registered competitors.
  25. NTA BEST OF SHOW – TAXIDERMY SCULPTURES ~ Cash Award – Selected by judges collectively from all first-place winners in the seven taxidermy sculpture categories. There are no score sheets, judges will consider overall merit.
  26. NTA BEST OF SHOW – ORIGINAL ART ~ Cash Award – Selected by the judges collectively from all first-place winners in the five original art categories. There are no score sheets, judges will consider overall merit.
  27. PEOPLE’S CHOICE – TAXIDERMY SCULPTURES ~ Cash Award – Selected by registered convention members from the seven taxidermy sculpture categories.
  28. PEOPLE’S CHOICE – ORIGINAL ART ~ Cash Award – Selected by registered convention members from the five original art categories.
  29. NTA INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN/EXOTIC AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by competition judges as the best large life-size mount or gamehead. Limited to entries in the Division of Excellence and Open Division. In making the selection, judges are not bound by the highest numerical score but will consider the mounts overall merit.
  30. DELIA AKELEY AWARD ~ Cash Award – Limited to women competing in the Division of Excellence and Open Division. Selected by registered convention members. Ballots are included in registration packets.
  31. VAN DYKE’S AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by the judges as the mount that displays the most originality and creativity in the mammal, gamehead or whitetail category in the Division of Excellence and Open Division. In making the selection judges are not bound by the highest numerical score but will consider the overall merits of each entry with judges focusing on the impact of presentation.
  32. NTA BEST BIRD AWARD ~ Cash Award – Sponsored by Frank Newmyer. Awarded to the highest scoring Bird in the Division of Excellence or Open Division.
  33. NTA BEST HABITAT AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by the judges. Judges will pick a habitat that combines difficulty with a realistic presentation that should complement and not overpower the overall artistic expression of the mount. Chosen from all areas of the competition.
  34. POLYTRANSPAR AWARD ~ Cash Award – Awarded to the highest scoring fish painted with Polytranspar products.
  35. NTA BEST OF SHOW – YOUTH HORIZON AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by the judges collectively as the best mount in the Youth Division. In making the selection judges are not bound by the highest numerical score but will consider the mounts overall merit.
  36. NTA BEST OF SHOW – CHILDREN’S HORIZON AWARD ~ Cash Award – Selected by the judges collectively as the best mount in the Children’s Division. In making the selection judges are not bound by the highest numerical score but will consider the mounts overall merit.