Illinois Taxidermist Association Convention 2009

[sarahdj]

That would be cool!

[Ross Vogler]

That would be cool!

What? MK ,wearing a cowboy hat and boots and maybe little pink shorts and a tanktop? Sick! LOL

[erik1]

BW and Doug my dad found an old photo album the other night in the basement and gave it to me.  It is from the first few years of the ITA and its members.  I will have it at the show.  Wait till you see some of the pics!!

[bw]

Did your dad have chops?  Or maybe a pornstar mustache?

[Missouri Creek Studio]

I remember my first ITA comp  a year or two after it was  formed by your Dad the Emkens, Underhills, and others that have moved on  or I can't remember.  The very first comp I attended was in the Aurora area and Gary Zehner judged the Game heads and mammals.I have a photo  around somewhere when my 5 year old daughter went with me at alter competition's  and is holding some small mounts....she just had her 29th birthday several weeks ago. For  a couple of years I took some photos for the association, then Bill Crance and his wife took over the photographer duties.
It was a great experience for a  young taxidermist back then to be able to talk to Murph Berndt, Sam Hackett and some taxidermists  from the Chicago area that knew Leon Pray.

[mk]

well, bw, i thought we could go as a pair.  your wearing that biker jacket and assless chaps aren't you ???lmao

[erik1]

I wanted to let everyone know that Pat Wagner will be doing his whitetail seminar on finishing techniques, back brushing hair and getting a super clean mount.  His seminar will be on Sunday afternoon. 

[erik1]

We still have a few days before we have to give our final meal count numbers to the hotel so we are not charging a late registration fee.  Give me a call or email your info if you are interested in coming within the next few days!

[Ross Vogler]

Hey, Eric. Is Decatur in a dry county? LOL

[erik1]

Nope!  There is a gas station within walking distance from the hotel too!

[Uncle Harley]

Nope!  There is a gas station within walking distance from the hotel too!

Eh, too cold for that chit  Ross, I'll drive ya!  LOL

[Ross Vogler]

Nope!  There is a gas station within walking distance from the hotel too!

Eh, too cold for that chit  Ross, I'll drive ya!  LOL

Sounds like a plan. We'll have to pre-flight before the banquet. The Indiana show put a big hole in my wallet. Especially when the cocktails were around 5 bucks a piece.

[Uncle Harley]

Nope!  There is a gas station within walking distance from the hotel too!

Eh, too cold for that chit  Ross, I'll drive ya!  LOL

Sounds like a plan. We'll have to pre-flight before the banquet. The Indiana show put a big hole in my wallet. Especially when the cocktails were around 5 bucks a piece.

That's why I quit drinkin a long time ago  who the heck can afford it?  lol

[tnarg]

Do I have to be a member of the ITA inorder to attend the convention or is it open to the public?

[antlerman]

For a nominal fee you can go into the competition room and view the mounts. I think it's $3.00.  To go into the supply room and attend the seminars and banquet you must be a member, or a member in good standing with another state assoc. but even still you would have to pay the convention fees, you just wouldn't have to pay the membership fees.