Meet the 2022 NTA Show Judges
Kent Reedy: Birds
Kent is a self-taught taxidermist with 46 years of experience. During his competition career, he’s been awarded numerous State Championships & Best of Shows, World Titles & a World Best of Show, IGT Best Bird and National Champion. At the 2013 World Show, he received the Carl Akeley, Collective Artists, & Competitor’s Choice Best of Show, making him the first World Show winner to capture all three awards.
Kent considers it an honor to have judged at the World Show, European Taxidermy Show, NTA, IGT and many state shows. Currently most of Kent’s time is being focused on teaching bird taxidermy and new techniques from beginner to master levels and developing reproduction manikin parts.
Rick Krane: Fish
From Humble beginnings as a boy growing up in New England, Rick continues in admiration and passion for the Beauty of God’s great work! For nearly 40 years Rick has been a part of the industry of Taxidermy. After leaving a career in Biology to pursue Taxidermy full time, Rick’s love for the art is a driving motivation to inspire and work toward the betterment of taxidermy. Rick’s Anglers Artistry and now the Academy of Wildlife Art is driving motivation in sharing with fellow artists around the world including the world and national champions Rick has inspired through his teachings. Being in demand as a Judge and as an instructor has given this lifelong career in taxidermy such meaning as an opportunity to give back and to share with those who love the art of taxidermy as much as Rick does!
Wes Mote: Whitetails
My name is Wes Mote. I’m from Gene Autry, Oklahoma. As a small kid I was always fascinated with the beauty of wildlife, especially whitetail deer. I would draw pictures of the wildlife I would see while sitting in my tree stand. From a small age I wanted to be a taxidermist and combine my drive for art and the outdoors into a career.
After an eight year stint in the military I decided it was time to follow my passion. Through my career I have been able to showcase my talent and win several awards including: North American Champion, Oklahoma State Champion, Best in the World WT, Second in World WT, Breakthrough Best of Show, and various other awards. Getting the chance to combine my artistry with my passion for the outdoors is a life dream for me. I look forward to meeting everyone and seeing some amazing pieces.
Bill Neuman: Lifesize
Bill is a Minnesota native and has been living in Bismarck, North Dakota with his wife and three daughters for the past 17 years. Bill honorably served 4 years in the Marine Corps from 1990-1994 and began his taxidermy career in 1996 by attending Story’s School of Taxidermy in Spencer, Iowa. Bill started out part time for 7 years, then 2 years full-time before relocating to work for Dakota Taxidermy in 2004. Some special areas of interest would include studying anatomy of mammals, sculpting, composition, and design, artistry, habitat, molding, and casting. His area of expertise would be all mammals, with special attention to detail. He has been fortunate enough to have worked on many unique species from around the world, with his favorite being the Mountain Goat.
His competition awards from the past 22 years are too many to list, but his highlights would have to include over 20 Best of Categories, 10 Best of Shows (1 at Nationals), 4 National Titles, 6 Wasco Awards, 2-2nd and 1-3rd in World live sculpting, 2 World titles 2013 & 2017, and a 1st place Carl Akeley Gold Medallion in 2019. He has also been featured on the cover of Breakthrough magazine twice, and won Taxidermist of the Year in 2017 at Nationals. In addition to competing, Bill has been a judge for several years now, judging shows in WI, ND, SD, MT, MN, New England, MO, OR, OK, TX, UT, NB, IA and the National’s. Bill looks forward to meeting new people and assisting them in their mammal Taxidermy, so please come with an open mind and be willing to learn.
Brian Olson: Gameheads
World Champion Taxidermist Brian Olson hails from Platteville WI and has been a full-time taxidermist for 36 years. Brian has competed throughout his career for “continuing education” and to keep in touch with the vast number of great people he’s met over the years. He feels strongly that there is always something new to learn and as techniques and materials advance so must the taxidermist’s skills. His interest in deer anatomy has led to a role in manikin sculpting for Matuska Taxidermy Supply.
In addition to the World title, Brian has also been awarded National Champion, North American Champion, 3 Best of Show’s and State Champion in WI, IA and MN. Artistry has always been an important aspect of his work and resulted in 5 WASCO awards.
As a judge, Brian strives to objectively evaluate each piece for accurate representation of anatomy as well as craftsmanship. Over the years some of the most valuable information he has received has been from a judge’s critique and he tries to do the same for those he is critiquing. He looks forward to sharing what he has learned over the years as your Gamehead judge at the 2022 NTA competition.
Bob “Hutch” Hutchinson: Habitat Division – Natural/Realistic Category
Bob “Hutch” Hutchinson is from Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania. He has been doing taxidermy since 1980. Through the years, Hutch has earned multiple awards at the state and world levels in both taxidermy & habitat compositions. He is passionate about habitat and its influence and contribution to the overall mount appearance – he has studied its use, its methods, the materials, and what makes it an integral part of our work. Hutch has judged habitat at the state, national, and world levels multiple times and has also taught habitat techniques in Europe. Hutch is looking forward to the 2022 show and is honored to be your Habitat Division – Natural/Realistic category judge.
Randy Mitchell: Habitat Division – Abstract/Unconventional Category
Bio coming soon!