National Taxidermists Association Major Awards List 1998

Sculpting and Original Art - People's Choice (Bronzes & Castings, Carvings, Paintings & Reproductions)
James Jackson Hamilton, Ont. Canada Deer Mice

Sculpting and Original Art - Judge's Best of Show (Bronzes & Castings, Carvings, Paintings & Reproductions)
James Jackson Hamilton, Ont. Canada Deer Mice

Sculpting and Original Art - People's Choice (Taxidermy Sculpture)
Matt Thompson Lovejoy, GA Whitetail Deer

Sculpting and Original Art - Judges Best of Show (Taxidermy Sculpture)
Matt Thompson Lovejoy, GA Whitetail Deer

Mayor's Award (Selected by the Mayor or his/her designee)
Tommy Armstrong Ethel, MS Whitetail Deer

Horizon Award (Judges collective decision of the best entry in the children's division)
Mandy Gill Lewston, MT Raccoon

Star*Fish Award (Selected by the judges as the best fish reproductions)
Randy Turner Texas City, TX Doctor Fish

National Champions (Open Division)

National Champion Whitetail
Brian Dobson Edmonton Alb, Canada Whitetail Deer

National Champion Gamehead
Chris D. Krueger Hot Sulphur Spr, Co. Mule Deer

National Champion Large Mammal -- Larger than a coyote
Ross Moon Somerset, PA Leopard

National Champion Reptile
Frankie Thompson Grover, SC Snapping Turtle

National Champion Coldwater Fish
Cyril B. Smith III Woodland Park, CO Brown Trout

National Champion Waterfowl
Terry A. Gill Strasburg, PA Cinnamon Teal

National Champion Bird
Shane Smith Bridgeport, AL Purple Gallinule

North American Champions (Division of Excellence)

North American Gameheads
Bill Bowen Albuquerque, NM Pronghorn

North American Small Mammal -- Coyote or smaller
Chris D. Krueger Hot Slphr Spr, Co Arctic Ground Squirrels

North American Reptile
Terry Rheinlander San Marcos, Tx Rattlesnake

North American Waterfowl
Kevin Hynes Slidell, LA Wood Duck

North American Bird
Danny Owens Lubbock, TX Pheasant

Special Awards

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 mounts overall merit.
Cyril B. Smith III Woodland Park, CO Brown Trout

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 mounts overall merit.
Ross Moon Somerset, PA Leopard

Frank Newmyer Award
Presented to the highest scoring bird or waterfowl mount in the Open Division or the Division of Excellence.
Kevin Hynes Slidell, LA Wood Duck

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.
Chris D. Krueger Hot Slphr Spr, Co Arctic Ground Squirrels

Van Dyke's / Original Creations 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 mounts overall merit.
Rodney Schreurs Cedar Grove Raccoon

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 mounts overall merit.
Brian Dobson Hot Slphr Spr, Co Arctic Ground Squirrels

WASCO Award
Selected by all of the judges as the most artistic entry in the competition.
Kevin Hynes Slidell, LA Wood Duck

Masters Choice
Limited to the judges, competition judging chairman, and the competition operations chairman.
3rd Mike Orthober Egg Harbor, WI Starling
2nd Jan Van Hoesen Rogers City, MI Coyotes
1st Ed Thompson Lilburn, GA Cedar Waxwings

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 mounts overall merit
Harvey Zeigler III Marion, IL Woodduck Mallard

Best All Around Taxidermist
Person with the highest combined score with a bird, fish/reptile, mammal and shoulder mount.
Kenny Galimore Denton, NC Whitetail Pintail King Snake Bighorn Sheep

Peoples Choice Award
Chosen by registered convention members.
Kenny Galimore Denton, NC Bighorn Sheep

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 mounts overall merit.
Danny Owens Lubbock, TX Pheasant

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 mounts overall merit.
Chris D. Krueger Hot Slphr Spr, Co Arctic Ground Squirrels