Taxidermy Competitions and Conventions

Well, I haven't seen or been to any of the big conventions, but I do know that the one we have in Texas is really wonderful! I have made friends and learned so much from going and competing that have really moved my work to the next level. Jerry, Ron and all the members of our association are just like you George, they have been more than willing to share the knowledge that they have acquired from years of working in the business.

I haven't been in the business but 6 years, taking something to competition every year, I haven't place a blue ribbon, and really kinda like Jerry, I go to get someone to look at my work and tell me what needs to be done to make it better. On top of that I mainly have fun!!!! Just like the pig I took the second year that had the top cutters in upside down.. : : : , we still laugh about it.....

Going to convention is like a family reunion, I have made new friends and see old ones that I don't get to see every day. Maybe someday I will be a "really" taxidermist and be able to compete on a national level. Until then I will work hard, go to everything our association offers and learn...... learn..... learn.....

 

George, you would hate the Iowa show. 3 days of good times and zero drama. Just friends having fun and helping each other get better. "losers" congratulate the "winners" and we all go on with our lives on Monday.

 

I will Say, many of you have watch Cole Cruikshank and I argue over Mt Lions in the Ozarks, Cole has guided the Missouri Assoc, where few association have gone. It is a great association, doing good things. I will leave it at that. Cole has done impressive things leading the Missouri Association.

 

Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, George. Sorry, I mistook your camouflage tux for a sport coat. Too bad you missed the connection to the logo T shirts and dirty hats. And I'm still waiting for the apology to all the State Association Treasures, especially ours. This'll be my last post as I'm taking my own advice from my first post. Bait someone else, rwl

 

This is some funny $hit!!

 

Pretty stupid isn't it mike

 

I sometimes worry about are state show ,it's a great convention but I've seen alot of the younger guys disappear lately,there's alot more older guys than young ones.

 

“In the last 40 years, only TWO SHOWS have worked and worked well. JUST TWO.” - George Roof


In reference to this returning post from George from Sept. 2017, I read it back then but neglected to respond. I wish now to straighten out the record lest the truth remain forever distorted in print. What caught my attention again was the eighth paragraph, a single sentence from the piece, quoted above.

The whole piece was typically George, dynamic commentary which George is good at, famous for and not afraid to put in print. Seeing that he neglected to mention the seven Taxidermy Review shows, which were revolutionary and ground breaking, starting in 1976, and were (quote.) “… privately funded and privately managed by a single person.”, (myself) I felt it best to inquire with George concerning his oversight. I did and was correct in my presumption that it was in fact an oversight and not a purposeful slight toward myself or the TR shows. There is a reason for everything, and George’s reasons for not mentioning TR in his piece were understandable. Having received more national and state recognition for my contributions to this art and industry than any association could hope to dream of, I’m proud and appreciative of the recognition and satisfied with my 15 minutes of fame.

As for George’s views and assertions about associations, taxidermy associations have not led the field and will not in the future. It’s not in their nature or purpose to do so. Competitions and conventions have become the sole raison dêtre of associations. They’re great trade shows, and you can’t disparage that. But a leopard can’t change its spots.

 

Damn George there you go again posting before I do. After reading your lengthy orations there's hardly anything left for me to post even if I was to disagree with you. We oldtimers view this trade similarly. I go to shows to have fun in the fall of my life. JL

 

Dang George that was a lot of reading.