I just returned from the Texas Taxidermy Association Inc. convention held in Tyler, Texas. It was one of the best state conventions that I have ever attended. With nearly 200 entries, the competition was an impressive display of beautiful taxidermy. But the warmth, enthusiasm and hospitality of the organizers and members made it an especially great experience.
I had always heard about what a good convention the Texas Association puts on, so I was honored to be invited as the show’s photographer this year. I had previously attended three NTA Conventions in Texas, but this was my first time at a state show. During the awards banquet, Brian Fees projected a Powerpoint presentation which included the photos of the winning entries as the winners were announced. I am pleased to present the major award winners below as they were announced at the awards banquet on Saturday night, June 27, 2015.
Texas Taxidermy Association Inc. 2015 Major Awards
Judges’ Best of Show – Breakthrough Award
Sponsored by Breakthrough
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, TX 0395 Leopard
Best of Masters Division
Chosen by the Judges
JAMES NEWPORT Pearsall, TX 0413 Whitetail Deer
Best of Professional Division
Chosen by the Judges
JAMES YARBOROUGH Cedar Park, TX 2547 Nilgai
Competitors’ Award
Highest combined scores of four entries
BOBBY MORRIS Seguin, TX 2561 Elk, 2562 Javelina, 2563 Red Stag, 0419 Whitetail
Masters Gamehead Challenge
Live speed-mounting competition
KAILUM ROOKS Pearsall, TX Auodad
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Awards
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Best Lifesize Mammal
Sponsored by McKenzie
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, TX 0395 Leopard
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Best Gamehead
Sponsored by McKenzie
JAKE CARTER Alto, TX 0399 Whitetail Deer
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Best Fish
Sponsored by McKenzie
JAMES MORRISON Huntsville, TX 0409 Bluegill
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Best Bird
Sponsored by McKenzie
CHRIS BAILEY Wylie, TX 0400 Mandarin
TTAI People’s Choice Awards
People’ Choice Best of Show
Chosen by the Competitors
SHANE DAVENPORT Gilmer, TX 0408 Silver Fox
Studio Division First Place
Chosen by the Competitors
JIMMY FONTENOT San Angelo, TX 5088 Wolves
Studio Division Second Place
Chosen by the Competitors
ROY HOLDRIDGE Granbury, TX 5089 Zebra and Black Mamba
Studio Division Third Place
Chosen by the Competitors
JOSH GUENTHER Marion, TX 5092 Lion and Reedbuck
Best of Masters Division
Chosen by the Competitors
SHANE DAVENPORT Gilmer, TX 0408 Silver Fox
Best of Professional Division
Chosen by the Competitors
JOSH GUENTHER Marion, TX 2604 Boar
Best of Amatuer Division
Chosen by the Competitors
JULIAN BAEZ 4359 Whitetail Deer
Photo Division First Place
Chosen by the Competitors
AARON PAYER Austin, TX 3002 Lion Cub
Photo Division Second Place
Chosen by the Competitors
AARON PAYER Austin, TX 3001 Praying Mantis
Photo Division Second Place
Chosen by the Competitors
JOHN PAUL BARBER Austin, TX 3003 Macaws
Texas State Champion Awards – Masters Division
Texas State Champion, Gameheads
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
KENNETH BAUMAN Anadarko, OK 0407 Rattlesnake
Texas State Champion, Upland Gamebird
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
DANNY OWENS Lubbock, TX 0420 Sparrow
Texas State Champion, Upland Waterfowl
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
KOREY ALLEMAN Breaux Bridge, LA 0405 Speckled Belly Goose
Texas State Champion, Small Mammal
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
SHANE DAVENPORT Gilmer, TX 0408 Silver Fox
Texas State Champion, Large Mammal
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, TX 0395 Leopard
Texas State Champion, Large Mammal
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
JAMES NEWPORT Pearsall, TX 0413 Whitetail Deer
Texas State Champion, Gamehead
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
DAN TOUT Tucson, AZ 0396 Black Bear
Best of Category Awards – Professional Division
Best of Category Small Mammal
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
BOBBY MORRIS Tucson, AZ 2562 Javelina
Best of Category Whitetail Deer
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
NICK HANKIN 2597 Whitetail Deer
Best of Category Gameheads
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
JAMES YARBOROUGH Cedar Park, TX 2547 Nilgai
TTAI Sonsored Awards
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Award
Highest Scoring Elk in Professional or Masters Division
BOBBY MORRIS Tucson, AZ 2561 Elk
Mule Deer Foundation Award–Masters
Highest Scoring Mule Deer in Masters Division
BEN CROMEENS Houston, TX 0404 Mule Deer
Mule Deer Foundation Award–Professional
Highest Scoring Mule Deer in Professional Division
DARYL HAJEK Victoria, TX 2568 Mule Deer
Van Dyke’s Award
Most Original and Creative Presentation
DARYL HAJEK Victoria, TX 2568 Mule Deer
Amateur Division Horizon Award
Sponsored by Research Mannikins
JULIAN BAEZ 4359 Whitetail Deer
Second 2 Nature Award
Sponsored by Second 2 Nature
PEDRO AYALA San Antonio, TX 2581 Catalina Goat
Polytranspar Award
Sponsored by McKenzie
JAMES MORRISON Huntsville, TX 0409 Bluegill
Star Fish Award
Highest Scoring Reproduction Fish in Professional or Masters Division
TRAVIS FARLEY Canyon Lake, TX 2557 Catfish
Lifetone Award
Sponsored by ChemOddities
RONNIE ELLINGTON Riverside, TX 2607 Smallmouth Bass
Pro 1 Award
Sponsored by Pro 1 Hide Paste
JAMES MORRISON Huntsville, TX 2572 Whitetail Deer
Derma-Grip Award
Sponsored by Derma-Grip
JAMES NEWPORT Pearsall, TX 0413 Whitetail Deer
Taxidermy Today Woody Award
Sponsored by Taxidermy Today
JAMES NEWPORT Pearsall, TX 0413 Whitetail Deer
Carlos Adams Award
Sponsored by Kim And Danny Owens
DANNY OWENS Lubbock, TX 0420 Sparrow
TTAI Akeley Award
Sponsored by James Newport
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, TX 0395 Leopard
Dallas Safari Club Award
Sponsored by the Dallas Safari Club
SHANE DAVENPORT Gilmer, TX 0408 Silver Fox
Best Habitat Award
Sponsored by Al & Elelyn Holmes
SHANE DAVENPORT Gilmer, TX 0408 Silver Fox
Research Mannikins Award
Most Artistic Mammal and Habitat
SHANE DAVENPORT Gilmer, TX 0408 Silver Fox
Ducks Unlimited Award–Masters
Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited
CHRIS BAILEY Wylie, TX 0400 Mandarin
Ducks Unlimited Award–Professional
Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited
BROOK BEASON Shreveport, LA 2542 Pintail
WASCO Award
Most Artistic Entry
DAN TOUT Tucson, AZ 0396 Black Bear
Youth Awards
People’s Choice–Youth
Chosen by the Competitors
HANNAH CROMEENS Houston, TX 5471 Hog
First Place Age 9–16 Category
Chosen by the Judges
HANNAH CROMEENS Houston, TX 5471 Hog
Second Place Age 9–16 Category
Chosen by the Judges
JASON DELUE 5477 Hog
First Place Age 8 and Under Category
Chosen by the Judges
EMBRY GUENTHER Marion, TX 5478 Alligator
Second Place Age 8 and Under Category
Chosen by the Judges
BAILEA REEVES Baytown, TX 5468 Bison European Mount
Beetleshack–Judges’ Choice
Youth Skull Entry Chosen by the Judges
VINCENT HUNTER Odessa, TX 5474 Whitetail European Mount