2000 NTA Competition Judges:
Whitetails - Pete Lajoie
Pete began competing in 1993 at the state level. By attending seminars and having his pieces judged by some of the best in taxidermy, he was able to win many blue ribbons, Best of Category, People's Choice and WASCO awards. In 1995 and 1996 he received blue ribbons for his whitetail mounts at the NTA. In '97 he won the NTA North American Champion Whitetail, NTA Joe Bruchac Award and the NTA Van Dyke Award for most original. At the 1st Annual NE Wildlife Art Show, he won Best of Show Whitetail, Gamehead, Lifesize and the WASCO Award. He attributes his success in taxidermy to organizations like the NTA, UTNY, and the CT association. "Now, I would like to share this knowledge with others."

Upland Game Birds - Danny Owens
Danny and wife Kim live in Lubbock, Texas. Due to the abundance of upland game and waterfowl on the Texas South Plains, Danny has taken full advantage and studied these birds in their natural habitat. Danny has received the NTA Award of Excellence in Birds, and has won numerous awards for his relaxed and realistic mounts.

Coldwater Fish & Warmwater Fish - Matt Thompson
Matt began his love and learning of taxidermy as a teenager. He worked after school for his neighbor who owned a taxidermy business. This carried on into his own full time business which he has operated successfully until going into the supply business. Matt has judged, taught seminars, competed, and won numerous blue ribbons at all levels of competition. Matt is the recipient of the NTA Award of Excellence and each year supports the NTA by generously sponsoring the Matt Thompson Award which includes a $500.00 cash award and plaque at the annual NTA convention.

Small Mammals - Roy Cogburn
Roy began doing taxidermy in the late 60's and opened his first studio in 1973 and is an NTA Award of Excellence recipient. He has received numerous awards for his unique style of taxidermy. Knowing what judges look for and how to interpret the scoresheets are but one of the seminars that Roy has given. He will bring this knowledge and valuable insight to NTA competitors.

Waterfowl - Harvey Zeigler
Harvey lives in Marion, Illinois with wife Marilyn, daughter Laura and son Ryan. He is an avid outdoorsman and received a degree in commercial art from Southern Illinois University. With over 20 years experience Harvey has won numerous awards for his unique waterfowl mounts including the NTA Distinguished Taxidermist and Best in World. He is also an NTA Award of Excellence recipient. His relaxed manner and extensive knowledge of birds will give NTA competitors a learning experience.

Large Mammals,Gameheads and Reptiles - Jody Slusher
Jody was 11 years old when he began bringing home mounted specimens. He was an avid trapper and mounted animals for his friends. In 1988 Jody and his wife Karla decided to establish their own taxidermy studio. Jody is sought after as both a judge and seminar instructor. Jody has captured numerous awards for his unique mounts and has received his NTA Award of Excellence. He and Karla run a successful business and enjoy the outdoors.

How NTA Judges are Chosen
Members have asked "How do the judges get chosen for the NTA convention?" It certainly is important that they are respected as competent opinion givers to the work that each competitor puts into their mounts. So how are they chosen? Well this year the same as before, the president appoints a board member to chair the judges committee. This years chairman is Rodney Holmes of Texas. Rodney was told the importance of a Democratic selection that would be made up of competent judges that would serve the competitor well and keep politics out of the picture. In past years the NTA has been fortunate to have outstanding individuals chair this important committee. Several of those chairman of the past include Skip Skidmore, Mike Kirkhart, and Ron Reynolds.

The competition and judges committee consists of several NTA members, judges, and board members and in all committee work is NTA president Mike Kirkhart. Phone calls usually start right after the close of the NTA convention to start work on the following year. Those individuals contacted are asked for names and input for each of the categories. A lot of things are considered when trying to come up with three names for each category. This gives the committee a list of qualified judges from several sources. Each member is then called and asked to vote in order 1-2-3 of their choice for each category. Each of the possibilities is then scored.

The lowest score was the first selection for that category. None of the selection committee knows how the other voted. It works out pretty well. At the February Board Meeting these selected judges are approved by the directors. So there you have it. A simple and democratic way of deciding who the lucky individuals are that will be judging the NTA competition.