Submitted by Perilous on 4/22/99. ( )
How many of you belong to the National Taxidermist Assoc.? I think itis a great idea to join and to get to know the industry and learn new things. It is their "certification" procedure that has me miffed. The way they put it you are not a "real" taxidermist until you have undergone their certification process. Which, I believe, entails entering their shows (money for entry fees) and placing several times. So not only do you have to spend lots of money to enter AND WIN but you must also spend the money for "competition" grade eyes, noses, earliner ect. ect..... And even if you are able to come out with competition quality mounts time after time from your basement, back room or laundry room, and get certified, you must still continue to enter year after year because the certification is only good for one year! I guess they think that after a year you are no longer a taxidermist and so must prove it again.
If I have it wrong please tell me. I am not adverse to entering competitions. You can learn alot. In fact I think everyone should enter a mount or two just to see how they are doing. My problen is the expense involved just for someone to tell you " O.K. you can be a taxidermist now, but only for a year" Is this certification only reserved for the elite of our class or does the average Joe/Jane stand a chance?
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This response submitted by Bill on 4/22/99. ( yoxtax@aol.com )
...I'm not certified, and I get some work in here. My customers certify me. Competitions will help you improve, too. Look at the NTA, its direction, use of finances, etc and decide whether or not you want to join. The same goes for state assoc. too. I'm better for it, but not certified...if you know what I mean.
This response submitted by John C on 4/22/99. ( )
The cerification program does in many ways stink. Its a good plan but no follow thru. I can show you people whom claim they are certified. And are not at this time or in the past few years.
Next I can show you a letter of reprimand from the NTA over a true and factual yellow pages ad.
But my whole point is don't bitch about it, if you are not going to help fix it.
Having the Nationals in Lubbuck texas one year is good, but two years running? Wichita, KS has a very good bid for 2001 and it is my understanding the BOARD was not allowed to look at the bid. Michelle reed is working hard for all!!!
As far as certification you are going on rumor and speculation, write the NTA and get a copy of the guide lines.
I am a lifetime member, there is strengh in numbers. JOHN C
This response submitted by Perry on 4/22/99. ( pgk@ncentral.com )
As far as spending extra $ for competitions parts, I already
do. When mounting COMMERCIAL bears, I use the buckeye detailed
cups on competition mannikins with competition ears and eyes.
I use competition components on my whitetails as well. I use
the best I can get for all my mounts. If I really wanted to,
I could compete with a customers mount with only adding extra
time.
This response submitted by Keith Daniels on 4/23/99. ( arlcape@bright.net )
I don't know that much about the N T A certification, but I do know that many people are turned off by the certification program. If you happen to be from the Mid-West to eastern U S, the I G T is usually pretty close to home, they don't normally move the show to extreme parts of the country. Yes, it will cost money any where you go, there's no getting around that, but with the I G T your certification is permanant. They have two programs, one is called master, which is honestly a misnomer since you don't need master competition to get it, you just need to accumulate enough points in the category with at least one blue ribbon. (I think) What they have next is Golden Masters, you need to accumulate enough points in the category and have at least one blue in that category, all in masters division. Their last step is Grand Masters. After you have Golden in 4 categories, then you need a blue in masters at the I G T, just in one category, not all four.
Do you need certification to be good and get customers? Not at all. Do trophies and ribbons get you customers? maybe if you push it as an advertising ploy, but in the end, like Bill said, your work is your certification and gets you the customers. Carol has trophies and rosettes stuffed in corners gathering dust, customers don't pay attention to them even if they could see them and she has 18 months worth of work right now.
Going after the certifications will make you a better taxidermist though, it will force you to step up the level of your work, and this will carry over into the product you put out to the customer. Keith
This response submitted by John C on 4/26/99. ( )
Way to many people use the excuse of "I don't want to compete". What entering a competition will do for you, and this is the primary reason to compete.
IS TEACH YOU TO BE A BETTER TAXIDERMIST.
You can't learn everything totally by yourself, you become blind to your own mistakes.
I competed in the WTC this year did ok and also got my butt stomped. BUT I LEARNED. I know what and where my problems lay. I also have a path to correct them.
Yes if your work is good you don't need the certifcation program. If your work is so-so you could not pass the certification program anyway.
If used correctly I feel it is a good thing. But at this point I know of several whom are miss using it. We all know everything can be screwed up.
John C
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