Competitors must have an active membership, a Full Convention Registration, be present at the convention, attend the Convention Banquet, and be photographed with ribbons and trophies to receive cash awards.
The National Taxidermists Championships offers a huge lineup of awards and honors. It is the responsibility of the competitor to read the award criteria requirements below, as well as the competition rules.
Major Awards
TAXIDERMIST OF THE YEAR
NTA Lion Sculpture on Walnut Base with Double Brass Plates
$1,000.00 cash prize
Chosen from: Distinguished Taxidermy entries that have earned a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal & North American entries that have earned a Gold Medal.
- The taxidermist whose piece best demonstrates artistry which captures with exquisite use of positive and negative space, extraordinary skill of taxidermy craftsmanship, showcasing by dynamic impression the essence of the specimen making it this year’s single finest achievement which shines above the rest.
BEST OF SHOW
Breakthrough Best Of Show Plaque
$1,000.00 cash prize
- This piece compels the viewer’s attention. It’s position portrays an advanced degree of difficulty while showcasing the correctness of specimen and fine taxidermy skill.
Chosen from:
- Distinguished Taxidermy entries that have earned a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal
- North American entries that have earned a Gold Medal
- National entries that have earned a Gold Medal
- Collective Artists entry that has earned the Collective Artists’ Championship Trophy
Division Awards
DISTINGUISHED TAXIDERMIST CHAMPIONSHIPS DIVISION
Medallions: Champion Title, 2nd Place, 3rd Place scores of 90 or greater.
This is a multiple-ribbon division.
Piece must be entered at NTA Convention as a single entry.
There are no categories; pieces go head-to-head.
Scoresheet by respective judge with final selection by judge panel.
- Correctness of specimen, taxidermy craftsmanship, and degree of difficulty.
NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS DIVISION
Medallions: Champion Title, 2nd Place, 3rd Place scores of 90 or greater.
North American Champion Hat for the Title Winner.
Chosen from 18 categories; multiple ribbon categories.
- Correctness of specimen, taxidermy craftsmanship, degree of difficulty.
North American Competitor’s Award
Crystal Medallions 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
Cash prizes.
- Selected by Judge Panel on accuracy, originality, and difficulty.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DIVISION
Medallions: Champion Title, 2nd Place, 3rd Place scores of 90 or greater.
National Champion Hat.
Chosen from 18 categories; multiple ribbon categories.
- Correctness of specimen, taxidermy craftsmanship, degree of difficulty.
National Competitor’s Award
Crystal Medallions 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
Cash prizes.
- Selected by Judge Panel on accuracy, originality, and difficulty.
COLLECTIVE ARTISTS DIVISION
NTA Collective Artists Champions Bulging Elk Sculpture on a Solid Cherry Base with Double Brass Plates, and Cash & Gift Certificate Prizes; Second Place: Cash & Gift Certificate Prizes; Third Place: Cash & Gift Certificate Prizes.
Multiple ribbon division.
Critique sheet by respective judge.
Pieces must be created by more than one competitor; past LIVE Warrior/s pieces permitted.
Final selection made by judge panel from all blue ribbons.
- Impression made by apparent multiple artist contribution to capturing a viewer’s attention towards the piece’s beauty and majestic essence.
CLAY SCULPTURE DIVISION
NTA Clay Sculpture Champion Standing Bison Sculpture on a Solid Cherry Base with Double Brass Plates and Cash/Gift Certificate Prize; Second Place: Gift Certificate Prize; Third Place: Gift Certificate Prize.
Five Categories within division; Multiple Ribbon Categories.
Critique sheet by respective judge.
Final selection made by judge panel from all blue ribbons.
- Correctness of anatomy, locomotion, and ready for industry use.
MANIKIN PREMADE DIVISION
NTA Manikin Pre-Made Champion Triple Buck Jumping Sculpture on a Solid Cherry Base with Double Brass Plates and Gift Certificate Prize.
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th places win Gift Certificate prizes.
Five Categories within Division; Multiple Ribbon Categories.
Critique sheet by respective judge.
Final selection made by judge panel from all blue ribbons.
Foam, wrap, carve, cast, or any combination.
Images of the process encouraged.
- Degree of necessary detail for the species. Anatomical accuracy, balance, and locomotion. Attractive and/or dynamic pose for the species. Degree of difficulty factored in. Surface does not require scoring or “roughing up”. Showing all alterations is key to high point’s accumulation.
Example: by painting the surface it would camouflage work which might hide your efforts.
LIVE Divisions Criteria
- WOW factor, ingenuity in design and seamless execution, and dynamic pose for the species.degree of difficulty – added ‘points’ due to the four hour mounting time limit, accuracy of species depiction, correctness of anatomy and locomotion,
LIVE WARRIOR DIVISION
NTA Lone Warrior Champion Howling Wolf Sculpture on a Solid Cherry Base with Double Brass Plates & Champion Ribbon
Multiple Cash Prizes
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th Place Ribbons
Respective judge for each species; final selection made by judge panel.
NTA Double Warriors Champions Fighting Elk Sculpture on a Solid Cherry Base with Double Brass Plates & Champions Ribbon
Multiple Cash Prizes
2nd, 3rd, 4th Place Ribbons
Respective judge for each species; final selection made by judge panel.
NTA Triple Warriors Champions Hunting Wolves Sculpture on a Solid Cherry Base with Double Brass Plates & Champions Ribbon
Multiple Cash Prizes
2nd, 3rd Place Ribbons
Respective judge for each species; final selection made by judge panel.
LIVE MANIKIN DIVISION
NTA LIVE Manikin Champion Elk Sculpture on a Solid Cherry Base with Double Brass Plates and Cash & Gift Certificate prize.
NTA LIVE Manikin Second Place Bighorn Sheep Sculpture on a Solid Cherry Base with Double Brass Plates and Cash & Gift Certificate prize.
NTA LIVE Manikin Third Place Sitting Wolf Sculpture on a Solid Cherry Base with Double Brass Plates and Cash & Gift Certificates prizes.
4th, 5th, and 6th Place wins Cash & Gift Certificates prizes.
Chosen from 5 multiple ribbon categories.
Critique sheet by respective judge; final selection made by judge panel from all blue ribbon pieces.
Foam, wrap, carve, cast, or any combination.
Challenge Awards
Who may enter? Distinguished Taxidermist, North American, National, and Collective Artists
CHALLENGE OF THE ART
NTA Challenge of the Art Champion ~ Peregrine Sculpture set on a Walnut Tower and Solid Cherry Platform with Double Brass Plates and Cash Prize.
NTA Challenge of the Art Second Place ~ Cash/Gift Certificate Prize.
NTA Challenge of the Art Third Place ~ Cash/Certificate Prize.
NTA Challenge of the Art Fourth Place ~ Cash/Certificate Prize.
NTA Challenge of the Art Fifth Place ~ Cash/Certificate Prize.
NTA Challenge of the Art Sixth Place ~ Cash/Certificate Prize.
Most Strikingly Innovative Artistry
HABITAT CHALLENGE
Natural:
NTA Natural Habitat Champion Eagle Plaque and Sculpture, Champion Ribbon, and Gift Certificate Prize.
2nd and 3rd Place Ribbons and Gift Certificate Prizes.
Abstract:
NTA Abstract Habitat Champion Eagle Plaque and Sculpture, Champion Ribbon, and Gift Certificate Prize.
2nd and 3rd Place Ribbons and Gift Certificate Prizes.
Natural/Realistic Criteria
Any visually realistic portrayal of naturally occurring material. A presentation that represents the specimen in its natural environment. Habitat materials may be made from any material but will be judged on realistic appearance.
Abstract/Unconventional Criteria
Any supportive base or complimentary composition which does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of visual reality. A presentation that incorporates natural and/or man-made materials in a manner that is purposefully unrealistic, but complimentary to the subject.
Memorial Awards
Who is eligible to win? Distinguished Taxidermist, North American, National, and Collective Artists
Memorial Awards
NTA Eagle Cherry Plaque & Gift Certificates
The respective judge’s opinion of the most impressive representation.
JOSEPH BRUCHAC ~ Whitetail
CHRIS BARNHARDT ~ Gamehead
HENRY WICHERS INCHUMUK ~ Lifesize mount the size of a squirrel or smaller
Honors
WASCO
Wasco Award & Gift Certificate
Most artistic piece as seen through the eyes of the National Taxidermists Association’s Photographer of 34 Years, Ken Edwards.
CHARLIE HAYNES MEMORIAL AWARD
NTA Eagle Cherry Plaque & Gift Certificates
Eligible from Distinguished Taxidermist Division entries and North American Division entries. Chosen by majority vote; one vote per competitor, entered into either or both of those divisions.
TAXIDERMIST’S CHOICE
National Taxidermists Association Eagle on a Solid Cherry Platform with Double Brass Plates & Gift Certificates
Favorite Mount voted on by each competitor, one vote per competitor, in the following categories:
- Whitetail
- Bird
- Lifesize
- Fish
- Gamehead
- Reptile
What You May Earn if Your Piece Qualifies …
Distinguished Taxidermists Division
✓ Medallions: Champion Title, 2nd Place, 3rd Place scores of 90 or greater
✓ Taxidermist of the Year Award
✓ Best of Show
✓ Charlie Haynes Memorial Award voted on by DT and NA competitors
✓ Joseph Bruchac Memorial Award if Whitetail
✓ Chris Barnhardt Memorial Award if Gamehead
✓ Henry Wichers Inchumuk Memorial Award if Lifesized, smaller than squirrel
✓ WASCO Award
✓ Habitat natural or abstract
North American Division
✓ Medallions: Champion Title, 2nd Place, 3rd Place scores of 90 or ~ per category
✓ Taxidermist of the Year Award
✓ Best of Show
✓ Charlie Haynes Memorial Award voted on by DT and NA competitors
✓ Henry Wichers Inchumuk Memorial Award if Lifesized, smaller than a squirrel
✓ Chris Barnhardt Memorial Award if Gamehead
✓ Joseph Bruchac Memorial Award if Whitetail
✓ WASCO Award
✓ Habitat natural or abstract
National Division
✓ Medallions: Champion Title, 2nd Place, 3rd Place scores of 90 or greater ~ per category
✓ Best of Show
✓ Henry Wichers Inchumuk Memorial Award if Lifesized, smaller than squirrel
✓ Chris Barnhardt Memorial Award if Gamehead
✓ Joseph Bruchac Memorial Award if Whitetail
✓ WASCO Award
✓ Habitat natural or abstract
Collective Artists Division
✓ Collective Artist Sculpture
✓ Best of Show
✓ WASCO Award
✓ Habitat natural or abstract