MARYLAND TAXIDERMISTS ASSOCIATION
Maryland Taxidermists Association
The Following are the Rules for 2009 subject to change for 2010
Official Competition Rules
*Please note additions & changes have been made to these rules. Those affected are noted at the bottom of each page.
There are four divisions in the competition: Masters, Professional, Adult Amateur, and Amateur 16 & Under. Requirement and descriptions are listed by each division. All awards will be announced and presented on Sunday near the completion of the show.
Major Awards
1. Judges Choice Best of Show - In making the selection, judges are not bound by score but will consider the mount’s overall merit. Selected from the Master’s Division. $250.00 cash award and plaque. (Sponsored by Breakthrough Magazine.)
2. Most Promising Professional - In making the selection, judges are not bound by score but will consider the mount’s overall merit. Selected from the Professional Division.
3. Taxidermists’ Choice - Chosen by secret ballot by registered convention attendees.
4. Best All Around Taxidermist - Competitors entering this special competition must enter in four areas of competition: birds, fish or reptiles, mammals and shoulder mounts (shoulder mounts must be from the Large Mammal classification). Entries in the required four areas may not include rugs, novelties, or crustaceans. Anyone wishing to enter this special competition must request it at time of registration, and select one (1) mount to represent each of the four (4) areas of competition. An additional fee will be charged to all competitors entering into this special competition. The person with the highest total numerical score with four entries will win this award. Entries must score a 70 or above to be eligible for the trophy. Entries may be composed of mounts entered in both Professional and Masters Divisions.
5. Carnes Slimmer Memorial Award - Will be awarded to the highest scoring fish in the Professional or Masters Division.
6. President’s Award - the species will be selected by the President. Anyone wishing to enter this special competition must request it at time of registration. An additional fee will be charged. The winning mount will be selected by the current MTA President from entries registered in this special competition. Moneys collected from entering will also be awarded, along with a trophy.
7. Wildlife Art - A single 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbon will be awarded for the entries in this category. Selected by secret ballot by all registered convention attendees.
8. Most Promising Youth – Shall be presented to the most technically accurate and artistically appealing mount not to be bound by score. Once a competitor has received the award previously they are no longer eligible.
9. Most Promising Adult Amateur – Shall be presented to the most technically accurate and artistically appealing mount not to be bound by score. Once a competitor has received the award previously they are no longer eligible.
10. WASCO Award - Limited to entries the Master and Professional Divisions. To be selected by the judges as the most artistic entry. (Sponsored by WASCO)
11. Starfish Reproduction Award - Awarded to the highest scoring reproduction fish. (Sponsored by Starfish Reproductions)
12. Polytranspar Award - Will be awarded to the highest scoring fish in the Professional or Masters Division painted with Polytranspar paint. (Sponsored by WASCO)
13. Most Promising Novice – Any entry, not bound by score $200.00 gift certificate and plaque. (Sponsored by Research Manikins)
14. People’s Choice Award - Chosen by secret ballot by Sunday’s paying public.
15. Al and Evelyn Holmes Habitat Award. Selected by Al and Evelyn from all entries in competition. (Sponsored by Al Holmes Taxidermy Supply)
16. Van Dykes Most Original & Creative Presentation Awards. Selected by the judges. Open to Professional and Master division. (Sponsored by Van Dykes Taxidermy Supply.)
17. Maryland Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Best Group Mount, Mount with 2 or more paid entries on same habitat/display. Selected by a local representative. Open to Professional and Master division. (Sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.)
18. Maryland Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Most Artistic Bird. Selected by a local representative. Open to Professional and Master division. (Sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.)
19. Monocacy Chapter NWTF Award – Best Turkey Mount. Selected by representative or MTA board. Not bound by Score. Open to Professional and Master division.
20. Maryland Saltwater Sportsmen Association – Best saltwater fish entry. Selected by representative or MTA board. Not bound by score. Open to Professional and Master division
21. Hilton Eppley Whitetail Award – Highest scoring whitetail on a Hilton Eppley form. Open to all divisions.
22. Safari Club International National Captial Chapter – Best African or Exotic mount. Not bound by score. Professional or Masters division. Picked by representative or MTA Board.
23. Safari Club International Chesapeake Chapter- Best Large North American Game Head. Professional or Masters division. Picked by representative or MTA Board
24. Whitetails Unlimited – Sponsored by Bucks Co. Chapter – Highest scoring Whitetail in the Professional division.
25. Quality Deer Mgmt. Association Award – Best Whitetail Deer. Professional or Masters Division. Not bound by score. Selected by representative or judges.
26. Kenneth Denzler Memorial Award – Best Amateur entry. Selected by Rick Denzler or MTA board.
27. MTA Best Waterfowl Award – Not bound by score. Selected by MTA board. Open to Professional and Master division.
28. MTA Best Game Head Award – Not bound by score. Selected by MTA board. Open to Professional and Master division.
29. MTA Best Fish Award – Not bound by score. Selected by MTA board. Open to Professional and Master division.
30. MTA Best Life-size Mammal Award – Not bound by score. Selected by MTA board. Open to Professional and Master division.
31. Bass Pro Shops Showstopper Award – Open to Professional or Masters Division. Based on artistic merit. Selected by representative or judges.
32. Issac Walton League Award Best Game Head – Open to Professional or Masters Division. Not bound by score. Selected by representative or MTA board.
33. McKenzie Best Whitetail – Open to Professional or Masters Division. Not bound by score. Selected by Taxidermist Choice ballot.
34. McKenzie Best Bird - Open to Professional or Masters Division. Open to upland or waterfowl. Not bound by score. Selected by Taxidermist Choice ballot.
35. McKenzie Best Fish - Open to Professional or Masters Division. Open to skin or reproduction. Not bound by score. Selected by Taxidermist Choice ballot.
36. McKenzie Best Life-size - Open to Professional or Masters Division. Not bound by score. Selected by Taxidermist Choice ballot.
37. Furbearers Award – Best furbearer mount. Not bound by score. Sponsored & selected by MD Fur Trappers Association
38. Best Maryland Species – Awarded to Maryland Taxidermists only. Sponsored by Maryland Sportsmen Association
39. DU Most Artistic Waterfowl – 1 award in each division Amateur, Professional, and Masters Sponsored by Washington Co. Chapter Ducks Unlimited
40. Best Waterfowl Award – Open to Professional and Masters division. Sponsored by Kent Fast Steel
41. Woody Award – “To honor excellence in taxidermy portraying natures beauty” -Sponsored by Taxidermy Today
42. 84 Lumber Award- TBD
43. Taxidermist Challenge – Awarded to the most challenging mount. Not bound by score – Sponsored and selected by Tinker Johnson
44. Rick Hibble Award- Best Professional Whitetail mount- Sponsored by Tim Young
45. Most Artistic Bear Award - Sponsored by the North American Bear Foundation
Masters Division
I. ELIGIBILITY- Open to all registered convention attendees. Any competitor who has won (2) blue ribbons in any one category, at the Professional level, in any state, regional, or national competition, along with mini competitions. MUST register mounts in that category as a Master Division entry. Must be of one individuals workmanship, (no consolidated group efforts will be accepted)
II. CATEGORIES- selected by which specimen constitutes the major portion of the entry:
1. Upland Birds
2. Waterfowl
3. Fish - Skin mount
4. Fish - Reproduction
5. Reptiles
6. Small Mammals-coyote or smaller
7. Large Mammals-larger than a coyote
8. Game heads
9. Whitetail
10. Freeze-dry
Any question concerning the category assignment will be resolved by the Competition Chairman. His/her decision will be final.
III. JUDGING
1. In the Masters Division, there will be four judges:
· Fish and Reptiles
· Birds
· Mammals and Game heads
· Whitetail
Freeze-dry will be scored by the appropriate judge.
2. Mounts will be judged & identified exactly the same as those in the Professional Division. Perfect score to 90 for a first place, 89 to 80 for a second place, and 79 to 70 for a third place.
3. Habitat entries must be identified as such by the participant at the time of registration. Judges that score the accompanying specimen will also judge the habitat.
IV. AWARDS
Highest scoring mount receiving a score between 100 and 90 will receive a Best of Category trophy in each of the above (10) categories. If no mount scores in this range, NO Best of Category trophy will be awarded.
Competitors in this division are also eligible to win all other taxidermy awards.
PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
I. ELIGIBILITY- Open to all registered convention attendees, with the exception of those eligible for the Masters Division. Entries must be executed by an individual of their own workmanship.
II. CATEGORIES -
A. Selected by which specimen constitutes the major portion of the entry.
1. Upland Bird
2. Waterfowl
3. Fish - Skin Mount
4. Fish - Reproduction
5. Reptiles
6. Small Mammals - coyote or smaller
7. Large Mammals - larger than a coyote
8. Game heads
9. Whitetails
10. Rugs
11. Freeze-dry
Any question concerning the category assignment will be resolved by the Competition Chairman. His/her decision will be final.
B. Crustaceans will be judged on a comment sheet, not a detailed score sheet. No points will be assigned towards the Masters Division or to the Maryland Certification Program for any awards won with these mounts.
C. Habitat entries must be identified as such by the participant at the time of registration. Judges that score the accompanying specimen will also judge the habitat.
III. JUDGING
1. In the Professional Division, there will be four judges:
· Fish and Reptiles
· Birds
· Mammals and Game heads
· Whitetail
Freeze-dry will be scored by the appropriate judge.
They alone decide upon the score an entry receives. All judges have the option of changing their scores if they find themselves in error.
2. Each judge will score each entry separately on an approved NTA score sheet. Each criteria group is worth a designated number of points as indicated on the score sheet.
3. Habitat entries are divided into three areas of judging criteria. Total possible score will be 50 points. Judges will award points to arrive at a score for habitats. Competitors must specify at the time of entry that they wish for their habitat to be judged.
IV. AWARDS
1. The MTA Professional Division judges entries on individual merit against a hypothetical “perfect score’ rather than against other entries. Any entry receiving 90% of a perfect score is awarded a first place, 80% of a perfect score is a second place, and 70 % of a perfect score is a third place. There is no honorable mention.
2. In each of the ten major categories, the highest numerical score with a first place ribbon shall earn the title Best of Category. Competitors in the Professional Division are eligible to win all other taxidermy awards.
V. CHALLENGES AND ALTERNATE JUDGING - after reviewing their score sheet, any competitor may request alternate judging by paying a $25.00 challenge fee per entry and be re-judged by a qualified judge at the competition. The results of the alternate judges, whether higher or lower, will be final.
ADULT AMATEUR DIVISION
I. ELIGIBILITY - limited to registered members, over 16 years of age, and has not participated in competition before at the Professional level or higher in any state, regional, national or world competition. Entries must be executed by an individual of their own workmanship. If the individual has earned a first place in a particular category in the Adult Amateur Division, that person must compete in the Professional Division in that category.
II. CATEGORIES - all categories that exist in the Professional Division are available for the Adult Amateur Division.
III. JUDGING - judging will be done on the NTA score sheet that pertains to the specific category and consideration will be taken into account for the experience of those entering. The judge’s decisions are final and may not be challenged.
IV. AWARDS - multiple ribbons are awarded based upon the judge’s decision. These entries scoring 100 - 90 % will receive a first place, 89 - 80 % will receive a second place, 79 - 70 % will receive a third place, with 69% and below receiving a fourth place honorable mention. Since scoring is more lenient, entries in this division are not eligible for other major awards. Also, no points will be assigned towards the Maryland Certification program.
AMATEUR 16 & UNDER
I. ELIGIBILITY - limited to registered members or associate member, under 16 years of age. Entries must be executed by an individual of their own workmanship.
II. CATEGORIES - all categories that exist in the Professional Division are available for the Amateur 16 & under Division.
III. JUDGING - judging will be done on the NTA score sheet that pertains to the specific category and consideration will be taken into account for the experience of those entering. The judge’s decisions are final and may not be challenged.
IV. AWARDS - multiple ribbons are awarded based upon the judge’s decision. These entries scoring 100 - 90 % will receive a first place, 89 - 80 % will receive a second place, 79 - 70 % will receive a third place, with 69% and below receiving a fourth place honorable mention. Since scoring is more lenient, entries in this division are not eligible for other major awards. Also, no points will be assigned towards the Maryland Certification program. The entry that presents to be the most technically accurate and artistically appealing mount, not to be bound by score, will receive the Most Promising Youth Award.
WILDLIFE ART DIVISION
1. Anyone wishing to enter in the Wildlife Art Division must register for competition. A separate fee will be charged for each exhibit. This division is open to ALL registered convention attendees and their families.
2. Entry can NOT consist of any taxidermy items.
3. Entries must be tasteful in presentation.
4. A single 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbon will be awarded to this division. Winners will be selected by secret ballot during Taxidermists Choice selection.
COMMERCIAL DIVISION
I. ELIGIBILITY - Anyone wishing to enter in the Commercial Division must register for competition. A separate fee will be charged for each exhibit. This division is open to ALL registered convention attendees and their families.
II. CATEGORIES - All categories that exist in the Professional Division are available for the Commercial Division.
III. JUDGING – Judging will be done 6 FT. away from the mount and is unable to touch the mount while judging. Judges will be allowed to shine flashlights on the piece while judging.
IV. AWARDS - multiple ribbons are awarded based upon the judge’s decision. These entries scoring 100 - 90 % will receive a first place, 89 - 80 % will receive a second place, 79 - 70 % will receive a third place, with 69% and below receiving a fourth place honorable mention. Since scoring is more lenient, entries in this division are not eligible for other major awards. Also, no points will be assigned towards the Maryland Certification program. The entry that presents to be the most technically accurate and artistically appealing.
GENERAL RULES FOR ALL COMPETITORS
AND CONVENTION ATTENDEES
1. The MTA Competition Chairman will resolve any questions arising for the MTA Competition and his/her decision will be final.
2. The MTA Competition Chairman reserves the right to restrict from open viewing any entry deemed inappropriate or detrimental to the image of taxidermy, hunting, fishing, trapping, or any other outdoor related activity. All such entries will be judged privately.
3. Any infraction of an MTA competition rule will result in disqualification of the entry and forfeiture of any awards won by that entry. Registration and entry fees will not be refunded.
4. All competitors must sign a form releasing the MTA from any liability for mounts entered in competition. While the MTA will provide security and be as careful as possible with all mounts, everyone is advised that accidents are possible and that competitors should purchase insurance on their competition entries through their local insurance agent. The MTA, it’s Officials, Board Members, or Competition Chairman shall not be responsible for any mounts entered in competition, under any circumstances.
5. To be eligible to enter, competitors must be a member in good standing in the MTA, NTA or their home state and be registered for the convention. Members need not be present to compete. However, they must be registered for the convention and pay appropriate fees. Entries may not be shipped c/o the MTA, but must be presented and picked up by the participant’s agent.
6. Entries may be made only at the posted times and NO entries will be removed from the competition area before Sunday afternoon after the awards ceremony and award photographs have been taken. Any entry not picked up will be left unsecured and unattended.
7. The number of entries per category is unlimited.
8. Mounts that have been entered in state competitions or Sury will be allowed to be entered into competition. Those mounts that have been entered into competition in NTA, IGT or World and receive a first place will be allowed to be brought back to the Eastern Regional competition, but will require to be entered in the Masters Division. Also, if the mount has been judged at a previous Maryland/ Eastern Regional show, receiving a blue ribbon in that class without going to a higher division, it will not be allowed to be re-entered.
9. Any entry may be ineligible if, in the opinion of the competition committee, too many of the judging criteria are hidden from view.
10. To arrive at a final score when requesting that the habitat be judged. First place is 50 - 45, second place is 44 - 40, and third place is 39 -35.
11. Half life-size mounts will be judged on the life-size score sheets using only those criteria that apply. All references in Section G that refer to rear legs, hindquarters and tail areas will be ignored.
12. Any young or partially grown species will be grouped with the adult animal of that species.
13. If an entry contains more than one specimen an entry fee must be paid for each mount that will be judged. When judging a piece with multiple entries, each individual mount may win its own award. If only one entry fee is paid, the competitor must designate which of the individual mounts they wish to have judged.
14. At the time of entry, each competitor must identify the species of their mount and state whether it is a commercial manikin, an altered commercial manikin, or an original sculpture. The competitor must also specify whether recreations (deemed a piece which has been fabricated, modeled, or sculpted to represent a specific species) reproductions, or artificial parts (heads, bills, feet, mounts, and noses are commercially purchased, made by the competitor, or a combination of both.
15. Raptors, hawks, owls, songbirds or special permit required birds will not be permitted into competition.
16. Entries in showcases must have removable top and sides for judging and must be removed by the competitor before judging begins.
17. When a large mount requiring assembly is moved into the competition area, the judge of that category will be removed from the competition area in order to keep the identity confidential.
18. Competitors are allowed to bring their own reference material for the judges to examine in correctly determining their scores. Photographs may be placed in an envelope next to the mount and marked “For Judges Reference”. The mount number should also be written on the envelope, with nothing included as to give away the identity of the competitor.
19. Any names or logos that may reveal the identity of the competitor must be omitted or covered securely.
20. Entries in the fish category must be completely finished on all sides, whether wall mount or pedestal, in order to be judged in competition in the Professional or Master Divisions.
21. Any competitor who intimidates, harasses, or deliberately seeks to embarrass a judge at any MTA competition will be disqualified from that competition and may, upon review by the MTA board, be barred from future competition with no refund of registration or competition fees paid.
22. Any competitor or convention attendee who deliberately harasses any seminar presenter, supplier, judge or MTA board member will be warned of the first offense. Then they will be barred from the competition/convention upon any further incidence. (This applies to the current convention only.) No refund of convention or competition fees will be refunded.
23. Entry into supplier area is for registered convention attendees only. The only exception being, Sunday during public viewing of competition area. Non-registered individuals will also be allowed into the supplier area at no charge.
24. The competition area will be closed during judging to everyone except the Competition Chairman and his/her selected helpers.
25. All competition mounts must be dry. Mounts found to be still wet (wet clay, moist, having odor, not totally dry, etc.) will not receive a ribbon and will be removed from the competition
Competitor’s Challenge Rules and Guidelines for Professional and Master’s Division:
1. Competitor must enter 4 pieces. All entries must be in the same division, ( i.e. Professional or Master’s Division) but can be in the different categories ( i.e. whitetail, small mammal, waterfowl, etc.). All entries can be in the same category.
2. All pieces must have been mounted with in the last year (365 days) prior to the date of competition. This will be strictly enforced! Those who violate this rule will be disqualified from the competition. No exceptions!
3. If the competitor enters more than 4 pieces, the competitor must indicate which 4 entries are to be used for the Competitors Challenge at the time of registration prior to the entries entering the competition room and an additional fee be paid.
4. Winners will be determined by the highest total score. First, second and third place for each division.