National Taxidermists Association Major Awards List 1999

Sculpting and Original Art - People's Choice (Taxidermy Sculpture)
Dennis Middleton -- Buffalo

Sculpting and Original Art - Judge's Best of Show (Taxidermy Sculpture)
Brian Olson -- Caribou

Sculpting and Original Art - People's Choice (Bronzes & Castings, Carvings, Paintings & Reproductions)
Clark Schreibeis -- Heron and Trout
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Sculpting and Original Art - Judges Best of Show (Bronzes & Castings, Carvings, Paintings & Reproductions)
Clark Schreibeis -- Heron and Trout
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Mayor's Award (Selected by the Mayor or his/her designee)
Dennis Purcell -- Mountain Lion
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Horizon Award (Judges collective decision of the best entry in the children's division)
Collin Lajoie -- Whitetail Deer
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Star*Fish Award (Selected by the judges as the best fish reproduction)
Richard Gensch -- King Salmon

National Champions (Open Division)

National Champion Whitetail
Mark Stanley -- Whitetail

National Champion Whitetail Pedestal
Bill Becker -- Whitetail Pedestal
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National Champion Gamehead
Bruce Babcock -- Siberian Tiger
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National Champion Small Mammal -- Coyote and smaller
Gary Pegg -- Platypus
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National Champion Large Mammal -- Larger than a coyote
Larry Jensen -- Mountain Lion
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National Champion Reptile
Jody Slusher-- Snapping Turtle

National Champion Reptile Reproduction
Frankie Thompson -- Snapping Turtle

National Champion Coldwater Fish
Mike Ross -- Brown Trout
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National Champion Warmwater Fish
Richard Abraham -- Koi (Carp)
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National Champion Coldwater Fish Reproduction
Richard Gensch -- King Salmon

National Champion Waterfowl
John Stevens -- Canada Goose

National Champion Bird
Carlos Adams -- Ringneck Pheasant
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North American Champions (Division of Excellence)

North American Gamehead
Mitch Cain -- Bighorn Sheep

North American Pedestal Whitetail
Pat Wagner -- Whitetail
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North American Large Mammal -- Larger than a coyote
Mitch Cain -- Barbados Sheep

North American Reptile - Skin Mount
Ben Haden -- Rattlesnake

North American Waterfowl
Mike Vernelson -- Steller's Eider
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North American Bird
Patrick Rummans -- Sharptails
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Special Awards

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 -- Jim Brandenburg -- Pine Marten and Wolverine
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2nd Place -- Stefan Savides -- Canada Goose Family
3rd Place -- Ray Hatfield -- African Lion
4th Place -- Troy Rose -- Wolverine/Turkey/Coyote

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.
Jeff Brain -- King Salmon
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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.
Brian Kadrmas -- Bighorn Sheep
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Frank Newmyer Award
Presented to the highest scoring bird or waterfowl mount in the Open Division or the Division of Excellence.
Mike Vernelson -- Steller's Eider
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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.
Rodney Shreurs -- Weasel

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 mount's overall merit.
Dennis Purcell -- Mountain Lion
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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.
Pat Wagner -- Whitetail
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WASCO Award
Selected by all of the judges as the most artistic entry in the competition.
Cyril B. Smith, III -- Cuttbow Trout
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Masters Choice
Limited to the judges, competition judging chairman, and the competition operations chairman.
1st Chris Kreuger -- Caribou
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2nd Tony Finazzo -- Temmincks Tragopan

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.
Stefan Savides -- Canada Goose Family

Best All Around Taxidermist
Person with the highest combined score with a bird, fish/reptile, mammal and shoulder mount.
John Lager -- Walleye, Bighorn Sheep, Albert Squirrel, Ptarmagin

Peoples Choice Award
Chosen by registered convention members.
Dennis Purcell -- Mountain Lion ("Dreams")
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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.
Larry Jensen -- Mountain Lion
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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.
Mike Vernelson -- Steller's Eider
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