National Taxidermists Association Major Awards List 2000

Special Awards

Taxidermist of the Year
Limited to NTA members who have earned the NTA Award of Excellence and are present at the convention. Selected by the judges collectively from all mounts entered in the Division of Excellence. Judges are not bound by any numerical score but will make the selection based upon the mount's overall merit.
Ken R. Walker, Alberta Beach, Canada -- Ringtail

Judges Best of Show
Selected by the judges collectively from all National Champions and North American Champions. Judges are not bound by score but will consider the mount's overall merit.
Ken Walker -- Ringtail

Peoples Choice Award
Chosen by registered convention members.
Ken Walker -- Ringtail

Best All Around Taxidermist
Person with the highest combined score with a bird, fish/reptile, mammal and shoulder mount.
John Lager, Littleton, CO -- Walleye, Mountain Goat, Bobwhite Quail, Abert's Squirrel

Distinguished Taxidermists Award
Collectively selected by the judges from all mounts entered that have been recognized as winning an NTA Affiliate, Judges Best of Show Award. Judges are not bound by any ribbon or score an individual mount may have received. Selection is based on the mount's overall merit.
Jason Snowberger, Duncansville, PA -- Coyote Pups

Challenge of the Art of Taxidermy
This is a judges' interpretation division open to all species collectively. It is judged for aesthetics, not mechanics.
1st Place -- Brenda Duvall, Colby, WI -- Blue Fox Pups
2nd Place -- Cyril B. Smith III, Woodland Park, CO -- Brown Trout
3rd Place -- Roy Holdridge, Tara Tibljas, Ken Howard, Granbury, TX -- Impala
Honorable Mention -- Andy Campbell, Galena, KS -- Teals

Joseph E. Bruchac Award
Selected by the whitetail judges from the National Champion and North American Champion. Judges are not bound by score but will consider the mount's overall merit.
Allen Palermo, Bryan, TX -- Whitetail Deer

Masters Choice
Limited to the judges, competition judging chairman, and the competition operations chairman.
1st Place -- Rodney Holmes, Arlington, TX -- Zebra
2nd Place -- Roy Cogburn, Albuquerque, NM -- Coyote
3rd Place -- Danny Owens, Lubbock, TX -- Common Eider

North American Champions (Division of Excellence)

North American Champion, Waterfowl
Brad Pharr, Valley View, TX -- Shoveler Drake

North American Champion, Cold Water Fish Skin Mount
Mike Ross, Parker, CO -- Rainbow Trout

North American Champion, Warm Water Fish Skin Mount
John Lager, Littleton, CO -- Walleye

North American Champion, Small Mammals
Ken R. Walker, Alberta Beach, Canada -- Ringtail

North American Champion, Large Mammals -- Larger than a coyote
Mark Smart, Great Falls, MT -- Grizzly Bear

North American Champion, Gameheads
Allen Palermo, Bryan, TX -- Axis Deer

North American Champion, Whitetail Pedestal
Allen Palermo, Bryan, TX -- Whitetail Deer

National Champions (Open Division)

National Champion Birds
Ryan Zeigler, Marion, IL -- Quail

National Champion Waterfowl
Jim Pitts, Shawnee, OK -- Cinnamon Teal

National Champion Cold Water Fish, Skin Mount
Jeff Mourning, Littleton, CO -- Brook Trout

National Champion Cold Water Fish, Reproduction
Mark Oslund, Anchorage, AK -- Grayling

National Champion Warm Water Fish, Skin Mount
Richard Abraham, Taupo, New Zealand -- Red Pig Fish

National Champion Reptiles, Skin Mount
Ritchie Webster, Greensburg, KS -- Western Diamond Rattler

National Champion Reptiles, Reproduction
Jeff Mourning, Littleton, CO -- Cayman

National Champion Small Mammals
Jason Snowberger, Duncansville, PA -- Coyote Pup

National Champion Large Mammals
Gary Bray, Ontario, Canada -- Moose Calf

National Champion Gameheads
Dwayne "Bones" Johnson, Lebenon, VA -- Wild Boar

National Champion Whitetails Pedestal
Louis J. Gagliano, Green Lane, PA -- Whitetail

Special Awards

Horizon Award (Judges collective decision of the best entry in the children's division)
Jacob Rheinlander, Austin, TX -- Rattlesnake

Henry Wichers Inchumuk Award
This award is presented to the highest numerical score for the best small mammal (squirrel or smaller) not involved in the freeze dry process.
Ken R. Walker, Alberta Beach, Canada -- Ringtail

Frank Newmyer Award
Presented to the highest scoring bird or waterfowl mount in the Open Division or the Division of Excellence.
Brad Pharr, Valley View, TX -- Shovler Drake

WASCO Award
Selected by all of the judges as the most artistic entry in the competition.
Cyril B. Smith III, Woodland Park, CO -- Brown Trout

Van Dyke's Award
Selected by the judges as the most original and creative in the mammal, gamehead or whitetail category in the Open Division or the Division of Excellence. Judges are not bound by the highest numerical score, but will consider the mount's overall merit.
Tom Weickum, Cheyenne, WY -- Zebra

Matt Thompson Award
Selected by the judges as the best warmwater or coldwater fish in the Open Division or the Division of Excellence. Judges are not bound by the highest numerical score, but will consider the mount's overall merit.
Richard "Buck" Jones, Comanche, OK -- Largemouth Bass

Roger Martin Lifesize Mammal Award
Selected by the judges as the best large or small mammal in the Open Division or the Division of Excellence. Judges are not bound by the highest numerical score, but will consider the mount's overall merit.
Ken R. Walker, Alberta Beach, Canada -- Ringtail

Al and Evelyn Holmes Award
Selected by the judges as the best habitat that combines difficulty with a realistic presentation.
Mike Evans, Plano, TX -- Marcor

Rick Kennair Best Habitat Award
Selected by the judges as the best major habitat presentation.
Mike Evans, Plano, TX -- Marcor

Star*Fish Award (Selected by the judges as the best fish reproduction)
Mark Oslund, Anchorage, AK -- Grayling

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Award
Felix B. Wakefield III, Jemez Pueblo, NM -- Elk

Pheasants Forever Award
Jim Kimball, Lewistown, MT -- Pheasant

Buckmasters Award
Jody Green, Mc Leansboro, IL -- Whitetail

Safari Club International Award
Ray Hatfield, Sparks, NV -- African Lion

Mayor's Award
Selected by the mayor of the host city.
Ken R. Walker, Alberta Beach, Canada -- Ringtail

Sculpting and Original Art

Judge's Choice Best of Show Taxidermy Sculpture
Tru-Fitt Life Forms, Lebanon, OR -- Mountain Lion

Peoples's Choice Taxidermy Sculpture
Tru-Fitt Life Forms, Lebanon, OR -- Mountain Lion

Judge's Choice Best of Show Original Artwork
Bruce C. Taylor, Albuquerque, NM -- Brook Trout

People's Choice Original Artwork
Ray Hatfield, Sparks, NV -- Black Rhino