North Carolina Taxidermists Association
Competition & Convention Rules
To be eligible, competitors must be NCTA members in good standing (along with VA and SC current members based on reciprocal agreement), and registered for the convention in order to compete.
Any competition pieces mounted in a workshop or competitors assisting other competitors with competition pieces are ineligible to compete in any category other than collective artistry or Challenge of the Art. If the competitor is caught entering a workshop mount….consequences are….suspended for 1 year for 1st offense; 2nd offense banned from competing at NCTA shows. All entries must be completed from start to finish by the competitor only with no help. (i.e. All taxidermy procedures such as form preparation, skin preparation, sewing, installing of any artificial parts, all mounting procedures, and all finishing procedures must be done entirely by the individual competitor. Excluding tanning or purchasing of tanned skins.)
Unsportsmanlike conduct, excessive foul language, and excessive drunken behavior will not be tolerated and will result in you losing all awards and cash winnings.
All judging will be done behind closed doors and only competition committee members will be allowed in the competition room. The only times the competition room will be open to competitors will be listed in the show schedule.
The NCTA Competition Committee will resolve any questions arising from the NCTA competition and their decision will be final.
Anything judged “Fatal Flaw” will be given a score sheet, but no ribbons or awards will be given. Any mounts with offensive odors will be removed from the competition area and not judged. The NCTA Competition Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry that does not comply with the NCTA Competition Rules or is deemed to be inappropriate or detrimental to the image of taxidermy.
Any infraction of a NCTA 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.
All competitors must sign a form releasing the NCTA from any liability for mounts entered in the competition. While the NCTA will provide security, everyone knows that accidents are possible and that competitors should purchase insurance if desired on their competition entries through their local insurance agent. The NCTA, its Officers, Directors or Competition Committee shall not be responsible for any mounts entered in the competition under any circumstances.
Multiple ribbons are awarded in most categories. Any entry receiving 90% of a perfect score is awarded first place, 80% of a perfect score is second place, and 70% of a perfect score is third place. There is no honorable mention.
Half-life size entries will be assigned and compete in the Gamehead category; with exception of whitetail half-life size going into the Whitetail category.
If any entry contains more than one specimen (Example: a pair of wood ducks), 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. This rule does not apply to entries in the Collective Artists or Challenge of the Art Divisions where an entry containing multiple specimens may be entered as a single piece and judged in its entirety.
At the time of entry each competitor must identify the species of their mount and state whether it is a tanned skin, commercial manikin, or an altered commercial manikin and whether any reproductions, casts, artificial or freeze dry parts (heads, bills, feet, mouths and noses) were commercially purchased, made by the competitor, or a combination of both. The competitor must also specify whether the entry’s habitat is to be judged or if the entry is competing for any other special awards. Bonus points may be awarded for made parts in all divisions.
Once you compete in a division, you cannot move back down to a lower division.
Entries in the name of a company are not allowed except in the Challenge of the Art of Taxidermy or Collective Artist Division.
Protected species need proper permits to place with their entry. In some cases, special permits are also required to cross into the U.S. or to cross state lines. The competitor is responsible for knowing and following all such laws pertaining to protected species.
Entries in cases must have removable top and sides for judging and must be removed by competitor before judging begins. 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 Judge’s Reference.” The mount number should also be written on the envelope.
Any names or logos that may reveal the identity of the competitor must be omitted or covered securely.
Entries will only be accepted at the posted times and NO entries will be removed from the competition area before Saturday night after the completion of the banquet. Any entry not picked up by the posted deadline will be left unsecured and unattended.
No mount that has previously been in a NCTA Competition can be entered in a NCTA Competition again.
Any entry may be ineligible if in the opinion of the Competition Committee too many of the judging criteria are hidden from view or are not included in the mount and it is not in conjunction with another mount that is judgeable. Example: Single wood duck head coming out of a hole in tree.
Habitat entries must be paid for separately and identified as such by the participant at the time of registration. Judges that score the accompanying specimen will judge the habitat if applicable.
There will be one NCTA judge for each category in the Professional and Masters Divisions. There will be a different NCTA judge for each category in Amateur, Youth, and Commercial Divisions. Their decision is final and they alone decide upon the score an entry receives. Each judge will score each entry separately on an approved NCTA score sheet. All scores will be recorded in the NCTA Competition scores notebook with the NCTA paper copy going to the participant.
Any conduct by the competitor that is deemed unsportsmanlike could result in disqualification and forfeiture of any and all NCTA awards. Unruly or disruptive behavior towards judges or show officials will not be tolerated and the individual will be asked to leave without refund and will be barred from future competitions. Any PROTESTS or CHALLENGES are charged a $25 fee and must be made aware to the competition committee within 1 hour of showing of ribbons. If a competition or judging problem occurs that cannot be resolved by a consensus of the Competition Committee the problem will be elevated and resolved by a majority vote of the NCTA Board of Directors. Any such action taken by the Board shall be publicly disclosed and fully explained to the competitor.
Touching or moving of any mount without express permission of the competitor by anyone other than a Judge and/or the Competition Committee/staff is expressly forbidden and grounds for disqualification and removal from the NCTA Convention.
The Competition Committee will resolve any question concerning the category assignment. Their decision will be final. The above rules are a general overview of the competition rules. The NCTA reserves the right to review and amend these rules at any time deemed necessary.
CATEGORIES-
Selected by which specimen constitutes the major portion of the entry:
Waterfowl
Birds
Fish
Reptile
Life-size Mammals
Gamehead
Whitetail
Original Art
HABITATS: Judging of an entry’s habitat is optional and requires an additional entry fee. Competitor must identify habitat entries at the time of registration. Judges that score the accompanying specimen will also judge the habitat. Unnatural habitats will not receive a ribbon.
Divisions:
Masters, Professional, Amateur, Youth, Commercial
ONCE YOU COMPETE IN A DIVISION (MASTERS, PROFESSIONAL, AMATEUR, OR YOUTH), YOU MAY NOT MOVE BACK DOWN TO A LOWER DIVISION.
MASTERS DIVISION ELIGIBILITY: Open to all NCTA members that are registered for the convention
CATEGORIES-Selected by which specimen constitutes the major portion of the entry:
Waterfowl
Birds
Fish
Reptile
Life-size Mammals
Gamehead
Whitetail
Original Art
JUDGING: The Masters Division entries will be judged based on the judge’s individual merit against a hypothetical “perfect score” rather than against other entries. Judging in this division will be judged exceptionally harder than Professional Division. Judging will be done with use of flashlight and touching of mount to check for mount being anatomically correct in all areas. Score sheet will be provided to competitor, along with opportunity for competitor to receive a critique from the judge.
HABITATS: In the Masters Division, judging of an entry’s habitat is optional and requires an additional habitat entry fee. Competitor must identify habitat entries at the time of registration. Judges that score the accompanying specimen will also judge the habitat.
AWARDS: In each of the eight major categories, the Highest Numerical Score WITH a first-place ribbon shall earn the title “North Carolina State Champion”. Multiple First, Second, and Third Place Ribbons will be awarded. Competitors are eligible for major awards, specialty awards and People’s Choice Awards.
PROFESSIONAL DIVISION ELIGIBILITY: Open to all NCTA members that are registered for the convention, that have NOT yet received their Award of Excellence in the particular category they are competing in. Once you receive your Award of Excellence in a category, you must move up to Masters Division in that category.
CATEGORIES-Selected by which specimen constitutes the major portion of the entry:
Waterfowl
Birds
Fish
Reptile
Life-size Mammals
Gamehead
Whitetail
Original Art
JUDGING: Judging will be done with use of flashlight and touching of mount to check for mount being anatomically correct in all areas. Score sheet will be provided to competitor, along with opportunity for competitor to receive a critique from the judge.
HABITATS: In the Professional Division, judging of an entry’s habitat is optional and requires an additional habitat entry fee. Competitor must identify habitat entries at the time of registration. Judges that score the accompanying specimen will also judge the habitat.
AWARDS: Multiple First, Second, and Third Place Ribbons will be awarded. Competitors are eligible for Best of Show Professional Award and People’s Choice Awards, along with some specialty awards.
AMATEUR DIVISION: This division is for beginning taxidermists who feel their skills have not developed enough to compete in the Professional Division. Judges will be more lenient in this division, with the primary emphasis on teaching competitors. Multiple first, second and third place ribbons will be awarded. Persons entering this level should be more interested in learning than in winning awards. After 2 years in Amateur Division or if you win Best of Show Amateur you will have to move up to Professional Division. Exception: A child under the age of 18 years old may stay in Amateur Division until they turn 18 OR win Best of Show Amateur, then they must move up to Professional Division.
CATEGORIES:
Waterfowl
Birds
Fish
Reptile
Life-size Mammals
Gamehead
Whitetail
Original Art
JUDGING: Judging will be done with use of flashlight and touching of mount to check for mount being anatomically correct in all areas. Score sheet will be provided to competitor, along with opportunity for competitor to receive a critique from the judge.
HABITATS: In the Amateur Division, judging of an entry’s habitat is optional and requires an additional habitat entry fee. Competitor must identify habitat entries at the time of registration. Judges that score the accompanying specimen will also judge the habitat.
AWARDS: Multiple First, Second, and Third Place Ribbons will be awarded. Competitors are eligible for Best Upcoming Amateur, Most Creative Amateur, Amateur Best of Show and People’s Choice Awards.
YOUTH DIVISION ELIGIBILITY : Limited to NCTA family member’s children present at the convention 14 years of age and under (Ages 15 and up must compete in Amateur Division…and/or once/if the child wins the Youth Challenge Award, they must move up to Amateur Division). The parents/guardian must be registered members of the convention. There is no entry fee.
CATEGORIES: All categories that exist in the higher divisions are available for the Youth Division.
JUDGING: Youth judging will be done on an approved NCTA score sheet and consideration will be taken into account for the experience of those entering.
HABITATS: In the Youth Division, judging of an entry’s habitat is optional and requires an additional habitat entry. Competitor must identify habitat entries at the time of registration NCTA.
AWARDS: Multiple First, Second, and Third Place Ribbons will be awarded. The entry selected by the judges collectively as the best mount in the Youth Division will win the Children’s Challenge Award. All entries in this division are eligible for People’s Choice Awards. Since scoring is more lenient entries in this category are not eligible for other major awards.
ORIGINAL ART DIVISION ELIGIBILITY: Open to all NCTA members that are registered for the convention.
CATEGORIES: Masters, Professional, Amateur, Youth
Taxidermy Sculptures: Not limited to manikins or sculptures made specifically for use in taxidermy. The sculptures may be in the form of clay, paper, foam, or some other medium.
Bronzes or Castings-Limited to sculptures which have been casted in bronze or some other medium to create a finished piece of art. These items could be bust, miniatures, or life size.
Carvings-Limited to birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles which have been carved from wood or some other medium and finished. These could be busts, miniatures, or life size.
Paintings, pencils, pastels, charcoal, etc.-Limited to flat art only.
JUDGING: Score sheet will be provided to competitor, along with opportunity for competitor to receive a critique from the judge.
AWARDS – Multiple First, Second, and Third Place Ribbons will be awarded in each division.
CHALLENGE OF THE ART DIVISION ELIGIBILTY: This is a judge’s interpretation division open to all species collectively. It will be judged for aesthetics, not mechanics. Any species of a bird, fish, reptile, mammal, or a combination of parts thereof can be entered to be viewed and interpreted by the judges without the use of a flashlight. This division is considered a very creative division that allows all work to be judged equally. It is open to all NCTA members. Entries may be executed by a single or multiple individuals. Company entries are allowed as long as these same rules are followed. This category includes for skull mounts, lamps, gun racks, bear claws, etc. (no points toward Award of Excellence). Any animal freeze dried in its entirety will be placed in Challenge of the Art Category (velvet antlers and turkey heads will be allowed in their regular animal category).
CATEGORIES: It is an open category- First, Second, and Third place plaques awarded overall, no separate divisions (i.e. Masters, Professional, Amateur, Commercial, Youth).
JUDGING: Judges will select the winners based upon the overall merit of the entries. No score sheet.
AWARDS: A maximum of one First, Second, and Third place plaque will be awarded. Judges Choice.
COLLECTIVE ARTISTS DIVISION ELIGIBILITY: This division is for competition entries worked on by more than one taxidermist; all competitors must be identified. Entry requires an additional entry fee. Award of Excellence points will not be credited to any competitor.
HABITATS: In the Collective Artists Division, judging of an entry’s habitat is optional and requires an additional habitat entry fee. Competitor must identify habitat entries at the time of registration. Judges that score the accompanying specimen will also judge the habitat.
CATEGORIES: It is an open category- no separate divisions (i.e. Masters, Professional, Amateur, Commercial, and Youth).
JUDGING: Winners are selected by Judges Choice. Entries are judged from a distance, with no score sheet.
AWARDS: A maximum of one First, Second, and Third place will be awarded overall in the Collective Artist Division based upon the highest numerical scores. First, Second, and Third place medallions will be awarded. Collective Artists Division entries are not eligible for the “North Carolina State Champion.” No points awarded for Certification and/or Award of Excellence.
COMMERCIAL DIVISION ELIGIBILITY: Open to all NCTA members attending the Convention.
CATEGORIES:
Waterfowl
Birds
Fish
Reptile
Life-size Mammals
Gamehead
Whitetail
Original Art
JUDGING: This is a judge’s interpretation division open to all species. It will be judged for aesthetics, not mechanics. Competitors should strive to present life-like entries. Any species of a bird, fish, reptile, mammal, or combination can be mounted in a display and entered to be viewed and interpreted by the judges. Judges will judge from 5 feet away. No score sheets.
AWARDS: Multiple First, Second, and Third Place Ribbons will be awarded. No score sheet, no critique, not eligible for any awards or titles. No points awarded for Certification and Award of Excellence.