Birds
All birds other than waterfowl and turkey
NTA
Est. 1972 · Preserving the Craft
National Taxidermists
Association · Est. 1972
Become a Member
Entries are scored by credentialled judges on an NTA-approved score sheet. Ninety and above takes a medallion — and nothing is graded in private.
Western Sports Park, 25 N. Sports Park Way, Farmington, UT 84025.
The 56th Annual rulebook has not been published yet.
More info coming soon. The rules below are those published for the 55th Annual (2026) and are kept here for reference only — dates, deadlines and entry times will change for 2027. This page will be updated the moment the association releases the 56th Annual rulebook.
It is the responsibility of the competitor to read the competition rules and award criteria requirements.
All competitors must be NTA members in good standing and registered for the convention. Competitors must have their mount registered, groomed, photographed and delivered to the showroom within the posted entry hours.
No mount can be removed from the showroom before the conclusion of the awards banquet. Major award winners are also photographed with their mounts at the conclusion of the banquet on Saturday 18 July.
Live mounting competition
Vendor hours
A competitor who is not able to attend the convention may still enter a mount in the competition. The competitor must be an NTA member in good standing, pay the convention fee, and pay all applicable entry fees.
The mount may be pre-registered, or registered by the person delivering it to the competition on Thursday 16 July. It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure whoever delivers the mount has the appropriate registration information and payment if necessary.
During registration, competitors acknowledge the release of NTA staff and agents from any liability for mounts entered into the competition. Since accidents are possible, competitors may consider purchasing insurance through their local insurance company if they deem it necessary.
Trophies sponsored by Matuska Taxidermy Supply Company.
Any competitor with four or more entries in the same division is automatically entered for the Competitor’s Award, with the four highest scores progressing on.
A competitor who enters four or more pieces in both the North American and National divisions must designate which division they choose to compete in, or the division with the highest-scoring four pieces will progress. Speak directly with the Competition Chairperson if this applies to you.
All awards — cash, ribbons or trophy — are considered conveyed to the winners when a representative of the team accepts them. Distribution among team members is the responsibility of the representative accepting the award. Additional trophies and ribbons may be requested at the cost of the requesting competitor, including shipping.
Judges are available on Saturday 18 July to provide competitors with critiques. Sign-up sheets are available to meet with judges, and the competition area is open during this time. Competitors should be in the competition area before their designated critique time and check in with the staff member assisting the judge, to keep the critique process efficient.
Each division carries its own award — plaque, medallion or ribbon. Full division detail.
Distinguished Taxidermist may only be entered by a competitor whose piece has won Best of Show at any state or regional competition in the last 12 months. All pieces compete head-to-head with no species categories. A piece entered in Distinguished Taxidermist may also be entered in either the North American or National division. Live Mounting judges take into consideration the number of competitors on a team, difficulty and size of the specimen, and the number of specimens in the entry when determining placings.
Categories for the North American, National, Novice and Youth divisions.
All birds other than waterfowl and turkey
Its own category, separate from other birds
Its own category, separate from other birds
Skin mount — trout, salmon, char
Skin mount — panfish, bass, pike, saltwater fish
Skin mount
Renderings which include no natural parts of the specimen portrayed
Warm and cold, salt and freshwater fish and reptiles
Life size, coyote and smaller
Life size, larger than a coyote
Coyote and smaller
Larger than a coyote
Exposed lower lip and teeth allowed, no inner mouth detail visible
Inner mouth detail is visible: upper palate, teeth and tongue
Flat art, sculptures, invertebrates, crustaceans, or any entry not fitting another category. No division distinguishment — all pieces go head-to-head, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons awarded
Live mounting categories
Challenge of the Art is selected by the judges, with a plaque award. One entry fee per base, regardless of how many specimens are on the base. The piece is judged in its entirety on composition and visual impact, and no scorecards are provided.
Judges score each entry separately on an NTA-approved score sheet and initial the numerical score it was given. All scores are recorded, and an electronic record of scores remains with the NTA Secretary for a minimum of one year.
Distinguished Taxidermist and North American divisions are judged at the same level. While the North American division has categories, Distinguished Taxidermist pieces all go head-to-head against one another, having no categories. No piece may be entered into both the North American and National divisions.
Half-life size entries compete in their respective Gamehead division. Small Gameheads are defined as coyote or smaller; large Gameheads are larger than a coyote, including the juvenile of the species — a bear cub is still a large Gamehead. Multiple mounts on a single base may be additional entries, or may be considered habitat.
Competitors may provide photos to document form alterations and parts they made themselves, for the judge’s review and consideration during judging.
Fairness and integrity in conduct and competition are the cornerstones of the NTA. NTA Board Members may enter mounts into the competition. Any Board Member electing to enter a mount has convention duties that do not include being in the competition room during judging, nor addressing any questions arising from the judges or other competitors regarding judging criteria or any other aspect of the competition. All such questions are directed to the Competition Chairperson.
To preserve the integrity of the competition, competitors shall not travel with or lodge with an NTA scheduled judge.
No judge may enter pieces into the competition, except for NTA members volunteering to judge entries and mentor competitors in the Novice and Youth divisions. By using qualified NTA members to judge and critique those entries, more time is available for detailed critiques for less experienced competitors — which is what those two divisions exist for.
A competitor, Board of Director or judge may register a note of concern about a perceived conflict of interest. The NTA Secretary presents all comments to the Board.
Touching or moving any mount without the express permission of the competitor, by anyone other than NTA staff, is expressly forbidden and may be grounds for disqualification and removal from the convention. Any conduct deemed unsportsmanlike may result in disqualification and forfeiture of awards. Unruly or disruptive behaviour towards judges or show officials will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the competition and being barred from future competitions.
Every member also agrees to the NTA Code of Ethics.
The association extends a warm welcome to its 2027 judges. The panel has not been published yet — this section will list every judge as soon as the association releases the names.