/ Register

  1. Welcome to Taxidermy.net, Guest!
    We have put together a brief tutorial to help you with the site, click here to access it.

competing with "store bought" plants

Discussion in 'Habitat and Exhibit' started by fish stuffer, Jul 27, 2018.

  1. Jul 27, 2018 #1
    fish stuffer

    fish stuffer Active Member

    129
    63
    If someone does an excellent job on a mount, say, a bass for example, everything is blue ribbon perfect, can the habitat being of poor quality hurt the final score? I'm talking about pads, leaves, flowers, do they have to be exact, just like in nature? I see alot of really nice mounts and the plants look like ordered from Mckenzie and added to the mount.
     
  3. Jul 27, 2018 #2
    Richs Taxidermy

    Richs Taxidermy Active Member

    119
    55
    Northern Illinois
    Alot of competition s say if bases and habitat has a bearing on the score ,most times they do not ,unless you cover your work up with it.
     
    BrookeSFD16 and fish stuffer like this.

  5. Aug 11, 2018 #3
    KatieC

    KatieC Member

    708
    17
    Duluth, Minnesota
    I don't think the judges are examining if the plants are an exact match to native species or perfectly accurate plants, unless it's something really obvious. If you wanted them perfect, you'd have to make your own copying references. Some people do a better or worse job arranging the "store bought" plants and the plants themselves vary in quality so much! I like a nice habitat but I'm not a judge, lol. And I'd love to make my own fake plants but who has time for that?
     
    Chippers and fish stuffer like this.
  6. Sep 11, 2018 #4
    JL

    JL Taxidermist for 64 years

    2,302
    124
    New Hampshire
    I believe the habitat should complement the fish mount, but the judge should only judge the fish.
     
    Steven Klee and rogerswildlife like this.
  7. Sep 14, 2018 #5
    rogerswildlife

    rogerswildlife Rogers Wildlife Taxidermy Tommy Rogers

    939
    235
    Yorkville Georgia
    Exactly what JL said . It's best to keep it simple,natural looking and make it flow from my experience.
    Tommy
     
  8. Sep 14, 2018 #6
    Steven Klee

    Steven Klee Steven Klee Studios

    1,773
    245
    Freedom, Indiana
    Just judging the subject sounds all good and well until there is serious competition in the room.... It works in most cases at the professional level, and in some state shows. But at the higher levels, Master divisions at certain state shows, Regionals, Nationals and the World level it simple doesn't get it done. If there are two or more first place mounts ( and there usually is ) within a point or so of each other, or even tied in some cases, best of category or best of show will come down to the habitat or "display" to settle the difference. Those who do as much "original" art as they possibly can "accurately" in the total piece have a better chance of winning. As they should.. Half measures are measured as such when along side full measures.... I say "compete like you mean it"!
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2018
  9. Oct 22, 2018 #7
    Dave York

    Dave York Well-Known Member

    321
    298
    I was told by a judge that a nice habiatat would not affect the mounts score but a bad habitat could indeed have a negative impact.
    I imagine it depends on the judge and at what level you’re competition you are competing at.
     
  10. Oct 26, 2018 #8
    JL

    JL Taxidermist for 64 years

    2,302
    124
    New Hampshire
    Appearance is important. Walk into the competition room and look around. What catches your eye? Remember, the judge is really only judging your mount from the scorecard but if your mount is an eye-catcher it will help. Like the difference between a good-looking woman and a so-so-looker. At this point who cares who is the better cook?