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New World Title: Antlered/horned Large Gameheads

Discussion in 'The Taxidermy Industry' started by Kathy, Jan 9, 2019.

  1. Jan 9, 2019 #1
    Kathy

    Kathy Active Member

    177
    35
    Hammond, Louisiana
    Major Announcement

    New World Title Added for the 2019 World Championships

    Antlered/Horned Large Gameheads

    This addition came about after a suggestion was made by a competitor to consider separating large gamehead entries into non-antlered/non-horned and antlered/horned categories. Arguably, gameheads are likely the most popular and mounted area in taxidermy. Was it time to separate them like we have cold- and warm-water fish or waterfowl and gamebirds? Even though mammals have been separated into two size categories, it still seemed like a logical consideration to additionally divide large gameheads because of this physical difference.

    Is it fair for seamed horned game like a cape buffalo to compete against a non-antlered/non-horned game like a wild boar? Certainly difficulty factors come into play for judges in this and many other comparisons, but do gameheads that can be mounted seamlessly need to compete with antlered and horned gameheads which normally require some sort of seam to be skinned? Judging is a subjective task and an undertaking that requires a lot of experience, knowledge, and thought. Judges will and do take into account the difficulty factors of seams/seamless and skin-to-antler/horn challenges, and if they are not adequately done it will prevent them from achieving world-class status. On the other hand, some gameheads do not require this challenge. This is where a judge's subjective opinion can work either way, so why not remove this area of contention?

    There are many more factors that can be debated on this subject if they were not separated into two categories, but if they are separated, that debate is over. Adding another World Title (with good reasoning) is another incentive for many to go after it. The World Taxidermy Championships® has been the leader in spearheading change and direction in taxidermy competitions and this sudden addition was not taken lightly. After consideration of all factors, the rules and competition committee decided it would be a positive move and not affect any entries that are, or were, being completed for the 2019 show, and likely it would be added incentive to others to compete for this new World Title. We wish you all the very best, so take advantage of this move and go for it!

    Here is the new alignment of the gamehead categories.

    This category remains the same, no changes.
    4. Medium-Small Gameheads (smaller than 75 lbs.)
    a. Small gameheads (Based on estimated lifesize weight of 25 lbs. or less: All including horned & antlered)
    b. Medium gameheads (Based on estimated lifesize weight of 25-75 lbs. : All including horned & antlered)
    c. Half-lifesize gameheads (must include front feet)
    d. Gameheads, group

    New as the result of a split in Large Gameheads.
    5. Large Gameheads Non-Antlered/Non-Horned
    (Based on estimated lifesize weight of more than 75 lbs. or more)
    a. Large gameheads (long/thick hair)
    b. Large gameheads (short/thin hair )
    c. Half-lifesize large gameheads
    d. Gameheads, group

    New as the result of a split in Large Gameheads.
    6. Large Gameheads Antlered & Horned
    (Based on estimated lifesize weight of more than 75 lbs. or more)
    a. Large gameheads (long/thick hair)
    b. Large gameheads (short/thin hair)
    c. Half-lifesize large gameheads
    d. Gameheads, group
     
    msestak and Skywalker like this.
  3. Jan 9, 2019 #2
    byrdman

    byrdman Well-Known Member

    8,888
    4,130
    the object is to compete against nature ... not against each other
     

  5. Jan 9, 2019 #3
    msestak

    msestak Well-Known Member

    18,346
    22,354
    and Nature isn't perfect, but scorecards are ;)
     
  6. Jan 10, 2019 #4
    Carolin Brak-Dolny

    Carolin Brak-Dolny Active Member

    176
    83
    At the World Competition it is both. You have to be better than the other guy and be as close to nature as possible. We keep trying to improve at that endeavor with new techniques and products. After all it is a competition.
     
    msestak and Kathy like this.
  7. Jan 10, 2019 #5
    Cole

    Cole Amateur Taxidermist

    10,209
    528
    NW Missouri
    If I try to compete with nature I'll never come close to winning. I'd rather compete against each other.
     
  8. Jan 10, 2019 #6
    Skywalker

    Skywalker Well-Known Member

    2,692
    570
    Edmonton
    The object is to compete against yourself. Where you place is something you have zero control over. Skill gets you in the medal round. Luck puts you on the podium.
     
    wa, Richard C, byrdman and 2 others like this.
  9. Jan 10, 2019 #7
    byrdman

    byrdman Well-Known Member

    8,888
    4,130
    RIGHT... getting as close to nature as you can...... if one person does a better job than another on a certain pc it does not mean you "beat" them but you just dont compete against each other... no goal ..
    no net ..no goal line... no scoreboard with cut and dry points all subjective to whatever judge sees or doesnt see and any judge is just a human interpretater, thats why the top best 10-20 % of US taxidermists dont compete anymore or never did .
     
  10. Jan 10, 2019 #8
    byrdman

    byrdman Well-Known Member

    8,888
    4,130
    scorecards are WAY FAR from even close to perfect very flawed system I value my "taxidermists choice" and " peoples choice" awards far more than my box of blue and purple ribbons from "expert" judges taxidermy is an art form as well as mimicking nature
     
  11. Jan 10, 2019 #9
    msestak

    msestak Well-Known Member

    18,346
    22,354
    i competed before i had a license. the very first bird mount i did almost boosted me into the masters category. it was a hanging dead grouse mount. in the novice or unlicensed division it took first place best of category, and bumped me into the pro category for upland birds. i fixed what i could, mainly the paint job.

    i then competed with it in the professional division at the State competition where it also won a blue but lost BOC by two points to a live mount grouse standing on a log.

    same judge, each time.

    that was close.....
     
  12. Jan 14, 2019 #10
    Scott Humble

    Scott Humble New Member

    19
    23
    I don't believe adding a new category eliminates the debate completely. By definition any species of female deer or antelope that does not have horns or antlers would fit in the category wouldn't it? And what would you do with a buck deer that has shed its antlers??? It doesn't have antlers or horns does it?

    I think it is a good move to added another game head category to the world show competition but would have like to see it defined by zoological classification. Wouldn't it be way cool if someone brought an elephant.
     
  13. Jan 15, 2019 #11
    Jerry Huffaker

    Jerry Huffaker Well-Known Member

    2,535
    354
    I like the idea of dividing them up Kathy, Looking forward to the world show this year and seeing everyone. It's a great experience seeing all the ideas and creativity in the competition room. It's a lot of fun hanging with like minded people of the industry.
     
    msestak likes this.