I just returned from the 2017 Texas Taxidermy Association Inc. convention held in Killeen, Texas. As usual, the Lone Star State organization put on a great show, which drew a large crowd of enthusiastic attendees, an impressive display of taxidermy competition entries, outstanding seminars, and lots of fun activities. The Killeen Civic Center was a ideal venue, and the adjacent hotel was convenient, clean and accommodating. Each year I look forward to the Texas show, as it is consistently one of the most fun conventions I attend. The warmth, enthusiasm and hospitality of the organizers and members always make it it an especially great experience.
I was again honored to be invited as the show’s photographer for the third straight year. 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 in reverse order as they were announced at the awards banquet on Saturday night, June 24, 2017.
Texas Taxidermy Association Inc. 2017 Major Awards
Judges’ Best of Show – Breakthrough Award
Sponsored by Breakthrough
BRANDON ZAHN Boling, TX 0066 Pintail
Best of Masters Division
Chosen by the Judges
BRANDON ZAHN Boling, TX 0066 Pintail
Best of Professional Division
Chosen by the Judges
TRACI RHODES Medina, OK 2199 Mouflon
Competitors’ Award
Highest combined scores of four entries
BOBBY MORRIS Seguin, TX Cape Buffalo, Elk, Sable, Mountain Lion
Masters Bird Challenge
Live speed-mounting competition
CHRIS BAILEY Wylie, TX Widgeon
Masters Gamehead Challenge
Live speed-mounting competition
SCOTT HARLOW Devine, TX Whitetail Deer
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Awards
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Best Lifesize Mammal
Sponsored by McKenzie
STEVE ROLAN Durham, NC 0065 Alaskan Wolf
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Best Gamehead
Sponsored by McKenzie
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, TX 0043 Ibex
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Best Fish
Sponsored by McKenzie
MICKEY BOWMAN Lawton, OK 0051 Brook Trout
McKenzie Taxidermists’ Choice Best Bird
Sponsored by McKenzie
BRANDON ZAHN Boling, TX 0066 Pintail
TTAI People’s Choice Awards
People’ Choice Best of Show
Chosen by the Competitors
CLAY WAGNER Lott, TX 0046 Bobcat
Studio Division First Place
Chosen by the Competitors
SAFARI STUDIOS, JIMMY FONTENOT San Angelo, TX 5005 Giraffe
Studio Division Second Place
Chosen by the Competitors
TRUELIFE TAXIDERMY, ROY HOLDRIDGE Granbury, TX 5006 Monkey
Studio Division Third Place
Chosen by the Competitors
HUFFAKER TAXIDERMY, JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, TX 5004 Mountain Lion
Best of Masters Division
Chosen by the Competitors
SHANE DAVENPORT Gilmer, TX 0033 Bobcat
Best of Professional Division
Chosen by the Competitors
BOBBY MORRIS Seguin, TX 2170 Cape Buffalo
Best of Amatuer Division
Chosen by the Competitors
KADEN ROGERS 4017 Flathead Catfish
Original Arts First Place
Chosen by the Competitors
RON KELLY Rockwall, TX 3013 Largemouth Bass Wood Carving
Texas State Champion Awards – Masters Division
Texas State Champion, Reproductions
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
KENNETH BAUMAN Anadarko, OK 0049 Largemouth Bass
Texas State Champion, Fish (Skin Mount)
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
MICKEY BOWMAN Lawton, OK 0051 Brook Trout
Texas State Champion, Waterfowl and Shorebirds
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
BRANDON ZAHN Boling, TX 0066 Pintail
Texas State Champion, Small Mammal
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
CLAY WAGNER Lott, TX 0046 Bobcat
Texas State Champion, Large Mammal
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
STEVE ROLAN Durham, NC 0065 Alaskan Wolf
Texas State Champion, Whitetail
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
MARK HERNANDEZ Sabinal, TX 0039 Whitetail Deer
Texas State Champion, Gameheads
Highest Scoring Masters Entry
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, TX 0043 Ibex
Best of Category Awards – Professional Division
Best of Category Reptiles & Amphibians
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
JAMES BETHUNE Kilgore, OK 2126 Alligator
Best of Category Reproductions
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
JOHN BAKER Corpus Christi, TX 2185 Redfish
Best of Category Waterfowl
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
JOHN BAKER Corpus Christi, TX 2184 Widgeon
Best of Category Large Mammal
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
TRACI RHODES Medina, TX 2199 Mouflon
Best of Category Small Mammal
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
EDGAR PALMAS Cypress, TX 2145 Coyote
Best of Category Whitetail Deer
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
BRANDON ZAHN Boling, TX 2201 Whitetail Deer
Best of Category Gameheads
Highest Scoring Professional Entry
BOBBY MORRIS Seguin, TX 2170 Cape Buffalo
TTAI Sonsored Awards
Mule Deer Foundation Award–Masters
Highest Scoring Mule Deer in Masters Division
JAMES YARBOROUGH Cedar Park, TX 0035 Mule Deer
Mule Deer Foundation Award–Professional
Highest Scoring Mule Deer in Professional Division
BOBBY MORRIS Seguin, TX 2173 Mule Deer
Amateur Division Horizon Award
Sponsored by Research Mannikins
ANDY HAWKINS Leander, TX 4014 Whitetail
Second 2 Nature Award
Sponsored by Second 2 Nature
JASEY BROUSSARD Lake Charles, LA 2205 Whitetail Deer
Polytranspar Award
Sponsored by McKenzie
JOHN BAKER Corpus Christi, TX 2185 Redfish
Star Fish Award
Highest Scoring Reproduction Fish in Professional or Masters Division
JOHN BAKER Corpus Christi, TX 2185 Redfish
Lifetone Award
Sponsored by ChemOddities
RONNIE ELLINGTON Riverside, TX 2212 Largemouth Bass
Pro 1 Award
Sponsored by Pro 1 Hide Paste
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, TX 0043 Ibex
Brian Harness Award
Sponsored by the TTAI
EDGAR PALMAS Cypress, NE 2145 Coyote
NTA Taxidermist of the Year Award
Sponsored by the National Taxidermists Associatione
BRANDON ZAHN Boling, TX 0066 Pintail
Carlos Adams Award
Sponsored by Kim And Danny Owens
BRANDON ZAHN Boling, TX 0066 Pintail
TTAI Akeley Award
Sponsored by James Newport
STEVE ROLAN Durham, NC 0065 Alaskan Wolf
Van Dyke’s Award
Most Original and Creative Presentation
SHANE DAVENPORT Gilmer, TX 0033 Bobcat
Taxidermy Today Woody Award
Sponsored by Taxidermy Today
JERRY HUFFAKER Abilene, TX 0043 Ibex
Research Mannikins Award
Sponsored by Research Mannikins
CLAY WAGNER Lott, TX 0047 Pronghorn Antelope
WASCO Award
Most Artistic Entry
BRANDON ZAHN Boling, TX 0066 Pintail
Youth Awards
BeetleShack Judges’ Choice – Youth
Chosen by the Youth Judges
CHARLOTTE KIPP-KIEFER 6015 Coyote Skull
First Place Age 15–17 Category
Chosen by the Judges
RILEY WATTS 6016 Coyote
People’s Choice–Youth
Chosen by the Competitors
RILEY WATTS 6004 Coyote
Second Place Age 15–17 Category
Chosen by the Judges
SHANNON TRAVIS Springtown, TX 6025 Whitetail Deer
First Place Age 9–14 Category
Chosen by the Judges
WYATT JONES Mercedes, TX 6026 Whitetail Deer
Second Place Age 9–14 Category
Chosen by the Judges
CHARLOTTE KIPP-KIEFER 6000 Coyote Skull
First Place Age 8 and Under Category
Chosen by the Judges
GAGE ZAHN Boling, TX 6026 Bluegill
Second Place Age 8 and Under Category
Chosen by the Judges
TAEGAN (TAC) CRISP Lamesa, TX 6031 Whitetail Deer and Mule Deer Skulls