The 2009 World Taxidermy Championships Categories

World Show Competition Divisions and Categories
The World Taxidermy Championships is truly an open competition. Participants are free to compete on any level -- Novice, Professional or Master Division--simply by making a choice according to their level of skill.

Taxidermists who choose to compete in the Master Division, Collective Artists Division, and the Taxidermy Sculpture Division will have their entries judged head-to-head against other entries in the same subcategory. Single first, second and third place ribbons are awarded. The judges' choice for the best entry from each of the sixteen major Master Division categories as well as one entry from the Collective Artists Division and one entry from the Taxidermy Sculpture Division may be named "Best in World" and the competitior earns the World Champion title.

Entries in Novice Division, Professional Division, and Freeze-Dry Division are judged according to their individual merits with a numerical score and are not judged against other entries. There is no limit to the number of ribbons that can be awarded in these divisions.

How to Choose Which Division To Compete In
The World Taxidermy Championships® is a competition where taxidermists at all levels can compete.

The Masters Division, the division from which World titles are selected, is usually competed in by seasoned competitors who have earned more than one First Place at other competitions. This is a single-ribbon division where many excellent, high-scoring pieces will not place. Master Division Rules and Regulations

The Collective Artists Division is for entries that are worked on and prepared by more than one person. Studios, where several people work on a piece, can compete for a special World title. It's also the division where friends can unite their efforts to produce a truly outstanding piece. This is a single-ribbon division with six categories. Collective Artists Division Rules and Regulations

The World Challenge Division is a special competition in which all of the entries must be of the same species and pose. Judging for this division will take place in a live open forum with seating for approximately 100 viewers. A special entry fee is required for this division, with a portion of this fee going toward a cash prize fund for the top three entries as determined by the judges. The World Challenge Rules and Regulations

The Professional Division, which offers multiple ribbons in ten categories, always has the most entries. This division is for professional taxidermists, even for those who have never competed. Professional Division Rules and Regulations

The Freeze-Dry Division offers multiple ribbons in four categories. This division is for entries which employ the use of a freeze-dryer to preserve the flesh of any part of an entry (without skinning). Freeze Dry Division Rules and Regulations

The Novice Division is for beginners, who have been doing taxidermy for two years or less. Multiple ribbons are offered in ten categories, with the main emphasis on teaching the competitors.Novice Division Rules and Regulations

The Youth Division is open to taxidermists who are 14 years or younger. Multiple ribbons are offered in ten categories, with the main emphasis on teaching the competitors.Novice Division Rules and Regulations

The Live Taxidermy Sculpture Division is open to eight entrants who will be sculpting a lifesize mammal or gamehead within a 25 hour time period. This is a single-ribbon competition. Live Taxidermy Sculpture Division Rules and Regulations

The Taxidermy Pre-Sculpted Division is open to any sculptor who would like to enter a completed taxidermy clay sculpture. This is a single-ribbon competition with two categories. Taxidermy Pre-Sculpted Division Rules and Regulations

World Taxidermy Championships 2009 Competition Divisions

Master Division
World Title Division (Sixteen world titles possible)
(Single first, second, third place ribbons in each subcategory)

Category 1. Medium-Small Lifesize Mammals (smaller than 50 lbs. [coyote/peccary])
a. Small mammals: less than 10 pounds
b. Medium mammals: greater than 10 pounds
c. Small mammals group
Note: Juvenile mammals will compete in a subcategory of comparable size. Example: a newborn whitetail deer would compete against small mammals, whereas a 2-month-old whitetail deer might compete against medium mammals. The Competition Chairman will make all final decisions on which subcategory a juvenile animal would be entered.
Category 2. Large Lifesize Mammals (larger than 50 lbs. [cougar/deer])
a. Large mammals (long/thick hair)
b. Large mammals (short/thin hair)
c. Large mammals group
Category 3. Whitetail Deer Heads
a. Whitetails long/thick hair, open mouth
b. Whitetails long/thick hair, closed mouth
c. Whitetails short/thin hair, open mouth
d. Whitetails short/thin hair, closed mouth
Category 4. Medium-Small Gameheads (mule deer/wildebeest and smaller)
a. Small gameheads (coyote and smaller)
b. Medium gameheads (deer, bear, sheep)
c. Half-lifesize gameheads
d. Gameheads, group
Category 5. Large Gameheads (caribou/waterbuck size and larger)
a. Large gameheads (long/thick hair)
b. Large gameheads (short/thin hair)
c. Half-lifesize large gameheads
d. Gameheads, group

Category 6. Game Birds
a. Pheasants
b. Grouse
c. Quail
d. Migratory game birds (doves, rails, coots, cranes)
e. Game birds, group
Category 7. Non-Game Birds
a. Small birds (magpie and smaller)
b. Large birds (crow, rook and larger)
c. Raptors and owls (birds of prey)
d. Non-game birds, group
Category 8. Turkeys
a. Turkeys, strutting
b. Turkeys, open wings
c. Turkeys, standing
d. Turkeys, group
Category 9. Waterfowl
a. Diving ducks (mergansers, stiff tails)
b. Puddle ducks
c. Geese and swans
d. Waterfowl group
Category 10. Warm Water Fish (skin mounts)
a. Sunfish, perch, walleye, crappie, other bass
b. Other, 12 inches or smaller
c. Other, larger than 12 inches
d. Saltwater
e. Group
Category 11. Cold Water Fish (skin mounts)
a. Trout, salmon, char
b. Pike, muskellunge, pickerel
c. Other, 12 inches or smaller
d. Other, larger than 12 inches
e. Group
Category 12. Largemouth Bass (skin mounts)
a. Largemouth bass (single)
b. Largemouth bass (group)
Category 13. Reptiles, Amphibian, Other (skin mounts)
a. Reptiles, amphibian, other (single)
b. Reptiles, amphibian, other (group)
Note: Any reptile incorporating any part of its skin or shell will go into one of the above subcategories.
Category 14. Reproductions
a. Fish
b. Reptiles and amphibians
c. Mammal
d. Group
e. Miscellaneous
Category 15. Re-Creations
a. Mammals
b. Birds
c. Re-Creation Group
Note: Re-creations, for the purpose of this category, are defined as renderings which include NO natural parts of the animal portrayed. A re-creation can use natural parts, provided the parts are not from the species being portrayed. For instance, a re-creation eagle could be constructed using turkey feathers, or a cow hide could be used to simulate African game. For extinct species, copies (reproductions) of skulls, bones, teeth, tusk, antlers, or horns may be used to reconstruct the creation, or can be used as part of the re-creation. Reproductions of horns and antlers are not allowed in this Master Division category. They should be entered in the Professional Division under Re-Creations/Replicas.
Category 16. Mixed Group
a. A combination of two or more different categories.
Note: Mixed Group is a combination of two or more different categories (whitetail deer, game heads, lifesize mammals, bird, fish, reptiles/amphibians, re-creations or reproduction classes). Examples: for a bass chasing a frog, the piece must be entered in Mixed Group if both are to be judged, but a mountain lion attacking a mule deer would have to be entered in Lifesize Mammal Group. If a piece contains one coyote and one quail, you can enter the coyote for judging in the Lifesize Mammal Category and the quail for judging in the Bird Category. If you wish to have only the coyote judged, you may do so and enter it into the Lifesize Mammal Category. If you wish both mounts to be judged together, they must be entered into the Mixed Group Category. You must specify your wishes at the time of entry.
Competitors are not allowed to change into this division after they have already entered the piece into one of the single categories. Example: if you have a bass chasing a frog and have entered this piece into the Fish Category, you cannot come back later and change to Mixed Group.
Mixed Group pieces will be scored as follows: The appropriate score sheet will be used to judge each species accordingly. These score sheets will then be averaged to give a final score. Example: in the case of two coyotes chasing a quail, a single score sheet will be used to judge both coyotes and one score sheet will be used to judge the quail. The two score sheets (1 mammals and 1 bird) will be averaged together.

Master Division Rules and Regulations

Collective Artists Division
For competition pieces where more than one taxidermist work on the entry.
(Single first, second, third place ribbons)

A. Lifesize Mammals. May include single or group pieces
B. Gameheads. May include single or group pieces
C. Birds. May include single or group pieces
D. Fish, Reptiles or Amphibians (skin mounts). May include single or group pieces
E. Mixed Group. May include a combination of mammals (lifesize or game heads), birds and/or fish.
F. Re-Creations and Reproductions. May include single or group pieces. This will include carvings, reproduction fish or reptiles, re-creations and replicas of any animal.

Collective Artists Division Rules and Regulations

Professional Division
(Multiple first, second, third place ribbons)

A. Lifesize Mammals
B. Whitetail Deer Heads
C. Gameheads
D. Birds
E. Fish Skin Mounts
F. Reptiles, Amphibians or Invertebrates Skin Mounts
G. Reproductions: Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians, Antlers, Horns
H. Re-Creations: (see note in Master Division, Category 15.)
I. Mixed Group (see note in Master Division, Category 16)
J. Skeletons

Professional Division Rules and Regulations

Novice Division
(Multiple first, second, third place ribbons)

A. Lifesize Mammals
B. Whitetail Deer Heads
C. Gameheads
D. Birds
E. Fish Skin Mounts
F. Reptiles, Amphibians or Invertebrates Skin Mounts
G. Reproductions: Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians, Antlers, Horns
H. Re-Creations: (see note in Master Division, Category 15.)
I. Mixed Group (see note in Master Division, Category 16)
J. Skeletons

Novice Division Rules and Regulations

Youth Division
(Multiple first, second, third place ribbons)

A. Lifesize Mammals
B. Whitetail Deer Heads
C. Gameheads
D. Birds
E. Fish Skin Mounts
F. Reptiles, Amphibians or Invertebrates Skin Mounts
G. Reproductions: Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians, Antlers, Horns
H. Re-Creations: (see note in Master Division, Category 15.)
I. Mixed Group (see note in Master Division, Category 16)
J. Skeletons

Youth Division Rules and Regulations

Freeze-Dry Division
(Multiple first, second, third place ribbons)

1. Lifesize Mammals
2. Birds
3. Fish
4. Reptiles or Amphibians

Freeze Dry Division Rules and Regulations

Live Taxidermy Sculpture Division
Sculpted live at the show
(Single first, second, third place ribbons)

Gamehead or Lifesize Mammal Sculpture

Live Taxidermy Sculpture Division Rules and Regulations

Taxidermy Pre-Sculpted Division
(Multiple first, second, third place ribbons)

A. Gameheads
A. Lifesize Mammals

Taxidermy Pre-Sculpted Division Rules and Regulations

Master of Masters Invitational
(Single first, second, third place ribbons chosen by the Master Division competitors)

Open to current or former World Taxidermy Championships judges, alternate judges, former winners of a Best in World title or First Place Master Division winners in any category.

Master of Masters Invitational Rules and Regulations

World Challenge Division
(Multiple first, second, third place)

A special competition in which all of the entries must be of the same species and pose, which in 2009 is a Hungarian partridge. Judging for this division will take place in a live open forum with seating for approximately 100 viewers.

World Challenge Division Rules and Regulations