A question on becoming a "Master" taxidermist

[GravityKills]

Ok, this may be a stupid question, but would like to hear the diffrent definations from all who may know....

So, there are Novice entries in a taxidermy show. What qualifies them to be a "novice"? That is simple enough.

Open or Professional division is the big catagory, being those who have surpassed novice either by own judgement or blue ribbon placement in novice division. Again, that is simple enough.

So,......... what qualifies one to be a "Master"?

[Bobbi Meyer]

from some of the work I've seen, their own interpretation.
George will have fun with this one!!

[Russ of V.O.W.T]

most state associations have it set up when you place high enough in the pro division and acrue a set number of points for x amount of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes that you must move up to masters, but it cannot be on 2nd and 3rds alone, you have to have x amount of blues.

[timberlandtaxidermy]

I do know that if you achieve the Award of Excellence, (21 accumulated points, blue is worth 3, red is worth 2 and yellow is worth 1, from competing at the state or National level; 5 of those points coming from Nationals; blue mandatory) you must then compete in the Masters division at Nationals in the category you "blued" in from Nationals.
For example, if you took a first with a lifesize in Nationals, and you have your 21 points, you must compete in the masters division with lifesize from here on out. (if that makes sense?)

[RDA]

the term  MASTER  is thrown around in taxidermy like a shamwow!!!   Yes  many state associations  have masters catagories you must some how qualify for,  some anyone can enter in masters  just check that box.....   NTA  has a "master certification program  (or used to)  and that was a different  Masters label....Then  according to our history,,,,,,  guys Like Akeley and the rest  were the true masters,  as their knowledge started all that followed  ,  so in essence  we cant really be like those guys due to the advancement of technique and materials...But,,,IF  imo,,  You can mount anything that could be brought in,  from scratch, in every medium,  carving  casting  wrapping,, creating your own mannikins,  tanning your own skins,,   doing every process from start to finish  on everything that can be shot ,, cuaght,  or trapped  then  yura  MASTER.........

aLSO  imo,  state associations should not have a qualification for masters  like some do,  based on points per ribbon earned at previous shows..  why??   well,  its like me for instance,  one state association,  im in the mastes in birds  due to qualifications,  and becuase I seldom compete in mammals,  im in the open,  even though my mammals are equal to my birds,  so is it fair for those in the open to compete with someone who does masters work  and 30 + years  ?

[psycho]

Well I don't understand how all that stuff works but then again I don't think I will ever have to worry about it either.  LOL  Dan

[Sarge]

Oh I just gotta say it.

Gravity, you gotta be able to beat up some old guy that calls ya Grasshopper, and then ya gotta pick up this really cool Glowing ceramic pot full of red hot coals by gripping the Dragon shapes with the insides of your wrists.  Oh yeah almost forgot ya need to be able to play a funky looking Flute while walking across Death Valley barefoot stopping in every little town helping the Dry Cleaning / Won Ton soup guy with the evil slave trading land dude.

And be able to shove stuffing into a skin and get it picked up before it starts to stank up the place.

Jeff

[Russ of V.O.W.T]

Oh I just gotta say it.

Gravity, you gotta be able to beat up some old guy that calls ya Grasshopper, and then ya gotta pick up this really cool Glowing ceramic pot full of red hot coals by gripping the Dragon shapes with the insides of your wrists.  Oh yeah almost forgot ya need to be able to play a funky looking Flute while walking across Death Valley barefoot stopping in every little town helping the Dry Cleaning / Won Ton soup guy with the evil slave trading land dude.

And be able to shove stuffing into a skin and get it picked up before it starts to stank up the place.

Jeff

what the "4 letter word" have you been smokin, you totally lost me there LMAO

[timberlandtaxidermy]

the term  MASTER  is thrown around in taxidermy like a shamwow!!!   Yes  many state associations  have masters catagories you must some how qualify for,  some anyone can enter in masters  just check that box.....   NTA  has a "master certification program  (or used to)  and that was a different  Masters label....Then  according to our history,,,,,,  guys Like Akeley and the rest  were the true masters,  as their knowledge started all that followed  ,  so in essence  we cant really be like those guys due to the advancement of technique and materials...But,,,IF  imo,,  You can mount anything that could be brought in,  from scratch, in every medium,  carving  casting  wrapping,, creating your own mannikins,  tanning your own skins,,   doing every process from start to finish  on everything that can be shot ,, cuaght,  or trapped  then  yura  MASTER.........

aLSO  imo,  state associations should not have a qualification for masters  like some do,  based on points per ribbon earned at previous shows..  why??   well,  its like me for instance,  one state association,  im in the mastes in birds  due to qualifications,  and becuase I seldom compete in mammals,  im in the open,  even though my mammals are equal to my birds,  so is it fair for those in the open to compete with someone who does masters work  and 30 + years  ?

Ron,
Exactly!
My award of excellence is in life-size. Technically, I can compete in the open division with a game head at the a state or national show.
But would I? Ethically, no. I guess if I wanted to win a BOC  in the pro division that bad, I would, but it doesn't seem right or fair to the other competitors in the pro division. I'm not saying that I would "sweep" the pro division, but in my mind, I know it wouldn't be right.
Heck, I haven't competed for some time, and I'd probably get my butt handed to me by someone in the pro division!

[Sarge]

You never watched KUNG FU Grasshoppa

Roook it Up Big Time 70's TV series where Masts teach'um Grass Hoppa how to be Masta\

Jeff

You Check um dis out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCyJRXvPNRo

[Ron B]

To me it is when you can mount a morning dove, a 16 foot croc, paint a brook trout,  mount a squirrel, an elaphant, an eland (without those big kissy lips) someones cat, a jack rabbit with thin smooth ears, and fix all that african Krap without cussing.and still make money...that my friends is a MASTER taxidermist

[timberlandtaxidermy]

To me it is when you can mount a morning dove, a 16 foot croc, paint a brook trout,  mount a squirrel, an elaphant, an eland (without those big kissy lips) someones cat, a jack rabbit with thin smooth ears, and fix all that african Krap without cussing.and still make money...that my friends is a MASTER taxidermist

BOO YEAH!

[Trashfish]

What does it really matter. A Master Taxidermist is a Title too often used, just like the Award Winning Taxidermist. People--- lets not let those ribbons,trophies and work load go to our head!!

[GravityKills]

Thank you all, this is what I wanted. everyone's opinion of the term "master".
And yes, I also feel it is thrown about too easily. I can not have an educated explaniation of it, as I have not been in the industry that long. But many threads here, of late, have been covering point and dicision status.
Of course I would love to be labeled a Master Taxidermist, who wouldnt, but I would just like to know what makes you deserve it. Sure, there is what your peers think, and then there is what your stat org. thinks, as well as National and World status.
On the peer level, it dont mean much. On the business level, we all know it DOES help. On the personal level, everyone has a diffrent feeling on that.

At my state show, competiting in the Open division, I placed a first AND Best of Catagory on my starling. Does this mean that if I enter another non-game bird, I have to enter in the Masters Division? When it comes to my state association, nothing is clear. And, no, the website dont say nothing about it. I know I have no chance to compete with the big boys in that division, but it would be nice to know if I have to or not.....

[JSeiler]

I think here in Ohio you need 2 blue ribbons and a best of category in the professional division before you can compete in the masters. I may be wrong though, that is just how I understood it.