Midwest Regional

Pete, as you know this is a small start up to what I hope someday becomes a bigger deal. The nice thing about this, although small, was the fact that we had people from Kansas, Mo, Iowa, Mich, Wisc, Ind, Ohio, Louisanna, Texas, PA, NY, and Illinois. Best of Show went to our very own Marilyn Nihiser for her monkey's. The WASCO went to Bob Prewitt from PA. with a whitetail deer entry. Both Marilyn and Bob did very well, with each of them winning those beautiful SCI crystal sculptures as well for best gamehead and best lifesize. Those monkeys also won Judge's Choice, and her elk won people's choice. Georgia Karl won the Pheasant's Forever bronze sculpture for her gorgeous peacock, and Kendall Shaw from Kansas won the Whitetails Unlimited Award. There were two Ducks Unlimited Award winners. The first going to a pintail entered by Kendal Shaw from Kansas,and the other going to Bruce Owens from Mo. with his King Eider. We didn't have a lot of numbers, but we sure did have some great quality mounts.
Thanks for stopping by Pete. I know Bill sure enjoyed seeing you, as did I. In a few days when all the photos are ready, I will post the award winning pictures, as well as list the other award winners.

 

How did the seminars with Ray go?

 

Excellent. I mounted a black bear in Rays seminar and learned so much. Just watching him was enough but getting to work along side him definitely improved my work and helped me to notice areas i was lacking in.

 

I've heard nothing but rave reviews from all the students about all the instructors seminars. I didn't get to sit in on much, but the few times I made it down to the pavilion it seemed everyone was having a ball and learning much. You should have been here.

 

Yeah I wanted to be there but just couldn't make it. Maybe if I had been there I would have won that pedistal instead of you, ya lucky dog! :-D

 

Wait till you see the pretty little Cinnamon bear that is going on top of it. Bob Prewitt and Ray Hatfield mounted it in Ray's seminar. Of course I had to rig the drawing and pull in a ringer, my 2 year old grandson, to draw the winning ticket. It took me weeks to teach him how to pull that one winning ticket out of the box. LOL

 

It was a Great Time John and lots of info you should have came. What can I say about Ray other than WOW . He is a wealth of knowledge.

 

Since you don't answer pm's. Did the airbrushes work for you? :-D

 

LOL
They do. very well
Sorry buddy this is the first I have been on since Wednesday

 

Cool dude. Sorry I couldn't make it.

 

Make plans for next year.

 

That's what my wife said, believe it or not. She started a GO fund for me a few days ago.

 

Kendall Shaw picture in local newspaper after winning the White Tails Unlimited Award Saturday night.




http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,280261.msg1940016.html#msg1940016

 

Tim did such a wonderful job putting this together and made the banquet relaxed and fun. I think he enjoyed giving Marilyn all those awards so he could keep saying "blue ball" monkeys. I felt so welcomed there and learned way more then I paid for. I really would love to attend next year but don't know if Tim can keep putting these together without more attendance and support. I know he didn't brake even but will never let others know. Tim you are just way to giving. Kent Reedy taught me more about birds then I could have ever hoped for. Michael P was wonderful for making me clay the second eye on that deer, just stays better with you when you do hands on. My duck is home and again doing things hands on will stay with me far longer than just sitting and watching. I already have the money set back for next year and a little extra because I was just not charged enough for everything that I got to do and learn. Being talked into entering the professional division by Tim for my very first competition was the right thing to do. Bill Yox is one of the most patient people I have met in a long time, thank you for showing me where I can make improvements on my deer and for putting up with the ton of questions.

I feel I now have a bigger family. I was so nervous meeting all these experienced and accomplished taxidermists and found they were just down to earth people. Ok maybe Psycho took a little getting used to (mostly the swamp smell) but he too made the weekend so much fun.

Thank you again Tim and if you need help for next year just ask.

 

I too had a blast mounting a gator. Dan was a wounderfull teacher. His antics are over the top!! The Copper Dock is a great place.
The best way to describe the weekend is by saying "Mudflap"
Ralph

 

mud flap is right . I had a blast, Kent is a great teacher I learned a ton about mounting bird .There was a slight smell coming from where Dan was :

 

If you can call that a SLIGHT smell then you would do great mounting gators!!
Ralph