Competition Awards

Competititions are an excellent way for a taxidermist to learn how to improve his or her work, and learn the latest tips and techniques. I went to my first competition in 2007 and from then on I knew that I would be attending every competition that I could. Here are the awards that I've gotten for my mounts

 

2011 Award Winners
Competition was tough this year! Each of my mounts got 3rd place, and my fox's habitat got 2nd place (it would have gotten 1st except my "snow" looked too much like foam!) Although the mounts were some of my favorites I've done, I had several small details off on all of them that cost me the points. The judges were really helpful though and gave me a lot of great tips on what to do better next time, so it was a great learning experience and I still had fun!
Black Bear, half lifesize, 3rd place
Farm-raised Whitemark Fox 3rd place fox, 2nd place habitat	Raccoon holding soda can 3rd place

 

 

2010 Award Winners
This was a great show. I learned so much from the seminars and the judge's critiques, I think I might just be able to pull off a blue ribbon next year! (at least I hope so!) but I came so close this year--My bobcat earned 2nd place, with a score of 88, which is two points away from a first place! The habitat, however, did get a blue ribbon. My badger also scored an 88, and my howling coyote got an 85.
Bobcat 2nd place for mount, 1st place habitat
Badger 2nd place	Coyote 2nd place

 

 

2009 Award Winners
All my practice throughout the year definitely paid off. My coyote and otter each won 2nd place (professional division), and the coyote also won 1st place for the habitat. My possum won 3rd place, but probably would have gotten second had I remembered to tell the judge I carved my own form for it. But I was only two points away from getting second, so I'm not that dissapointed! I had a lot of fun at this competition; I can't wait for next year!
Coyote Won 2nd place for mount, 1st for habitat.
Opossum Won 3rd place	River Otter Won 2nd place

 

2008 Award Winners
From this year's competition I've concluded two things: One, I'm good at habitats! Two, I need to improve the quality of my mounts! My raccoon got a higher score than my fox did last year, but its still a 3rd place. Not bad, but I'm sure I can do better next time. And my hog...well, lets just say I need more practice on those! But, it was only my second hog, and I really learned a lot about what I could have improved on it.
Raccoon Won 3rd place for the mount, 1st place in the habitat division.	Wild Hog Won Honorable Mention

 

2007 Award Winners
This year was my first time entering in a competition. It was really fun and I learned a lot from the experience. And now that I know what the judges look for in mounts, my entries for next year will hopefully get higher scores. Nevertheless, I'm not disappointed by my scores from this year, considering I'd never done anything like this before!  Here are the mounts that I entered. Both were entered under the "professional" division.
Gray Fox Kit Won 3rd place in the Life-size Mammals category	Water Snake and Rat Won 3rd place in the Reptiles category and 2nd place for habitat