Any tips on competing at National level?

[WillinghamsTaxidermy]

I have been wanting to go an NTA competition ever since I first started competing at state shows. This year, I decided to finally make it happen, make the drive up to Arkansas in July for the 41st Annual NTA show. So exciting!

I do have a few questions, though, since I've never done this before. First off, is there any difference in how they judge mounts at National shows? Is the judging any tougher or more detailed?

Also, do they let you provide an envelope with reference pictures for the judge, like you can at state shows? (I'm asking because last year at the FL State show I totally altered the form of a raccoon but didn't take pictures, and they told me that in order to get points for the alterations I had to prove it with photos)

I'm sure I'll have more questions as July approaches, so any other tips or advice that some of you more experienced National competitors could share would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[Jerry Huffaker]

They will let you put pictures with the mount. The judging should be tougher than at the State level, although that depends on the judge and how extensive his knowledge of the specie is. You will have fun and learn a lot, good luck.

[mvernelson]

Depends on the judges, half of them out there have no business being a judge, but the judging should be tougher.

[RJ Simington]

As they have said, Yes you can put your reference photos with your mount.

If you are showing photos of a form you have made yourself, be sure your face is either blacked out or not be in the photo.

Most judges care less Whom the taxidermists is , & we will score the mount according to what we find, good or bad.

If you are going to do an out of ordinary pose , like a sleeping sheep with his lip up on one side or something that is different, BE SURE to put your reference photos with the mount so the judge can see what you are trying to replicate, versus a mistake.

Animals can do things away from the norm.

Most judges undrstand that the National show is a higher level of quality than state shows, but some of the competitors dont.

There have been Many disagreements at Nationals because the peice won blues at several state shows & a second & some times a third at nationals.

Be ready before you go that the judges are going to be more critical & could count off a point that other judges at state shows not neccesarily over looked but didnt think it was out of line enough to deduct for.

The other is to remember to have a good time at the show too.

Its all a learning experience & a great time to make freinds with other folks in your occupation.

Some guys show up like a pre wound spring, just waiting to get their score sheet so they can try to prove the judge wrong before it even starts. Thats no good for anyone.

I have learned SO MUCH from the judges in my past tearing my pieces apart, because I am there to beat ONE PERSON, MY SELF.

I want to do better than I did on the last piece & some times it does set you back on your heels, but if you use EVERY criticizm in a possitive way how can that be a bad thing.

I hope you have a blast at all the shows & have fun in the proccess.

RJ Simington
541 883 2492

[WillinghamsTaxidermy]

Thanks, all of this is great advice! I know I am far from a perfect taxidermist but always want to learn and improve, and the competitions have really helped me with that. Even when I've gotten a bad score on something, I've taken the judge's advice to heart and improved on those mistakes the next time around. I always have fun at the state competitions anyway, so I am really looking forward to the Nationals.

I am still not sure what species I will enter in the show yet, but whatever it is I will try to make it my best mount yet!

[Jerry Huffaker]

You will have a good time, RJ is correct, just go into it with an open mind and think of it as and education.

[Old Fart]

It's a "crap shoot" because the judging varies so much from one show to another. I don't mean that in a negative way, it's just the way it is. Judges have different likes and dislikes, they like different styles, and some even favor one species over another. And NO JUDGE knows every thing about every species. If you do a piece "for competition", you owe it to yourself to take it to different shows and get different opinions, anyway. Just going "up" in shows doesn't necessarily mean that the judging is harder(or better). If you do major alterations or make your own form, by all means include pictures......you still may get out scored by a "better" mount on a standard commercial form.

[Old Fart]

And if you join at the convention, don't expect to see any other correspondence from them until they send you a renewal notice(I got mine the other day). And I thought that they forgot all about me.LOL

[John Janelli]

 Ellie, thanks for your interest in coming to Rogers, Arkansas for the NTA's 41st annual convention and trade show. Personally, I can't wait to meet you there! Please feel free to phone me toll free @ 877-JANELLI for any questions you might have with regards to competing or anything else that you may need help with as a member of the National Taxidermists Association.

BTW, the awe inspiring judges so far are Mike Kirkhart for reptiles and fish, Harvey Zeigler, waterfowl, Brett DeFreitas birds, Joe Meder whitetails.

John Janelli
NTA Vice President

[mammal man]

I think you will hove a good time at the NTA i know i made new friends the first time I was there and I have never got a bonus point for alteration at least it wasnot written on my sheet good luck remember people make a show

[Jim Tucker]

At ANY level All you can EVER do is mount the BEST possible piece that you can do.  IF you are good enough to mount a first place piece....THEN judges preferences MIGHT help, BUT if the piece is not up to snuff then you are sunk from the start.

[WillinghamsTaxidermy]

Ellie, thanks for your interest in coming to Rogers, Arkansas for the NTA's 41st annual convention and trade show. Personally, I can't wait to meet you there! Please feel free to phone me toll free @ 877-JANELLI for any questions you might have with regards to competing or anything else that you may need help with as a member of the National Taxidermists Association.

BTW, the awe inspiring judges so far are Mike Kirkhart for reptiles and fish, Harvey Zeigler, waterfowl, Brett DeFreitas birds, Joe Meder whitetails.

John Janelli
NTA Vice President

Thanks so much for your reply -- I probably will give you a call at some point. Like I said, I have never been to a national show before (in fact this will be my first time even showing my work anywhere out of state) so I'm still not totally sure what to expect from the whole event but I am up to the challenge and really looking forward to it!  I have heard great things about all of the judges you mention. Just curious, though, who will be judging lifesize mammals? I have a really nice specimen picked out, and it will be lifesize.

Thanks again!
Ellie

[John Janelli]

 Ellie, the lifesize mammal judge will be the gifted and talented Brian Harness. So get that piece cranking! And don't forget, I'm only small part of a pretty good team here at the NTA. You need anything, please don't wait, just pick up the phone and call any board member or headquarters. Any one of us will put in you in the proper channels for the assistance you may need. Keep my phone number handy, and use it when ever you like.

Thanks again,

JJ@NTA

[Kay Raynewolfe]

Yay, Ellie!!! Im going too! We will get to meet in person instead of just online all the time LOL!!! :-)

Kay Raynewolfe

[Naturesway07]

Just keep a open mind and learn to get out of your own way.have fun