Who will become the next World Champions?
Imagine if all baseball players were allowed to play in the World Series; if all golfer were invited to the Masters; if every tennis play could make it to the clay courts of Wimbledon. In most human endeavors, only a tiny percentage of participants are fortunate enough to compete directly for the highest honors. But in taxidermy, there are no barriers. There are no semifinals. There is no club to join or dues to pay. Any person who has the desire can compete directly against the best taxidermists in the world!

Being named a World Champion is one of the highest honors for which an artist can strive. In 2009, there will be a possible eighteen World Taxidermy Championship titles up for grabs. The excitement will reach its climax during the gala 2009 World Show Awards Banquet, where $25,000.00 in cash prizes will be awarded and the newest World Champion Taxidermists will be named.

The World Taxidermy Championships is truly a special experience, unique in the world of taxidermy. Join over a thousand of your peers for five days of fun, fellowship, education and competition in this beautiful facility. Mark your calendars now and make plans to be a part of taxidermy's premiere event!

How "Best in World" Titles Are Determined
There are sixteen Best in World titles in the Master Division, one in the Collective Artists Division and one in the Taxidermy Sculpture Division.

For 2009, each entry in the Master Division will be separately and independently scored by three judges and the scores averaged together. Once first places are determined in the subcategories, a competition supervisor will gather all category judges (five for most categories) to vote for eligible entries for Best in World titles. They will each cast a secret ballot for Best in World. The judges will be allowed to discuss and confer about the eligible entries before casting their ballots. If two entries receive equal votes the judges will be asked to vote again on those two entries only. The results will be kept secret and announced at the World Show Awards banquet.

Competitors vying for the Best in World titles should pay very close attention to the subcategories. Some of the subcategories will be heavily competed in, while others may only have one or two entries. Remember -- to win a Best in World title you must first have a First Place ribbon in a subcategory. You may want to consider competing in several of the subcategories to increase your chances of being considered in that final decision.

Each Collective Artists entry will be judged by a team of judges. After placements are determined in each category all taxidermy judges will evaluate the eligible entries for Best in World Collective Artist and cast individual secret ballots. Since this is one of only two divisions in which judges can compete, any judge competing in this division will not be eligible to judge in this division, nor cast a vote for Best in World (in that division).
Master Division Rules and Regulations