HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BIG ROCK SPORTS EAST SHOWJANUARY 7–10, 2016 • RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINAPRO

DIVISIONCHOICEAMATEURDIVISION

YOUTHDIVISION(14 and Under)

MASTERSDIVISION

2016presents

2015 Best Professional Entry By Paul WilsonWood Duck

RETAILERS’

2015 Triple Threat Challenge Piece By Bob Hutchinson Hanging Cub

2015 Small/Medium Gamehead Champion By Amy Ritchie-Carter Bobcat

13 CATEGORIES 5 DIVISIONS $25,000 IN CASH, PRIZES & AWARDS

NORTH AMERICAN TAXIDERMY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY

*Please make show pre-orders by 1/4

Gene will show you his award-winning techniques on applying fillers, demonstrating which

epoxies work best and how to use each one.

After building your foundational knowledge of fillers, Gene will walk through his amazing painting and finishing techniques. Take your deer mounts to the next level with his secrets.

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2016 JUDGES

Terry WeickFish and Reptiles

Manny ChavezGameheads/Life-size Mammals

Jim KimballBirds

Cary CochranWhitetail Deer

PAGE NETHERCUTTSaturday, January 92:00 pm–4:00 pm Bird MovementsFamous in the taxidermy world for his lifelike bird displays, Page will enlighten you on how birds stand, walk and fly.

RUSSELL KNIGHTFriday, January 88:00 pm–9:30 pmRoundtable Taxidermy DiscussionYou’ve seen him on the History Channel’s popular series Mounted in Alaska,

now meet him in person. Russell Knight, along with a panel of other industry-leading taxidermists, will be answering audience questions about running a taxidermy business, industry trends and anything related to preparing and presenting wild animals.

GENE SMITHThursday, January 73:00 pm–6:00 pmWhitetail Finish Work, Part 1

Friday, January 89:00 am–11:00 amWhitetail Finish Work, Part 2

POLYTEK/JILL SPOHNSaturday, January 910:00 am–12:00 pmMolding and CastingLearn multiple techniques for molding and casting that you can apply to taxidermy. Jill, mold-

making expert from Polytek Development, has attended many taxidermy shows with Head Quarters and is eager to share her mold and casting techniques.

TIM JORDANFriday, January 81:00 pm–4:00 pmTurkeyTim will take a prepared turkey skin along with a freeze-dried head and mount an entire bird right before

your eyes. He’ll be using one of his anatomically accurate turkey bodies from Head Quarters.

VIC HEINCKER Friday, January 82:00 pm–4:00 pm Making Study CastsStudy casts are an important reference tool when trying to create lifelike taxidermy. Vic will show you how you can

make study casts in your own shop and use them to improve the quality of your work.

TERRY WEICKFriday, January 810:00 am–12:00 pm FishTerry will show you how to build a good base for a great fish mount. You’ll learn

advanced techniques for skinning a fish, making a template and forming a body.

AMY RITCHIE-CARTERSaturday, January 91:30 pm–5:00 pm Small Mammals2015 Big Rock Sports Best of Show Amy Ritchie-Carter will mount an entire bobcat using a Head Quarters form. See firsthand

her techniques for creating award-winning artwork.

OFFALL

Head Quarters orders placed at the show and pre-orders brought to the show!15%

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NORTH AMERICAN TAXIDERMY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY

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Name: ____________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________

Registration includes free t-shirt.

Choose size: __S __M __L __XL __XXL __XXXL

First and Last Name of Guests ($35 per person):

1)___________________________________________________

2)___________________________________________________

3)___________________________________________________

4)___________________________________________________

5)___________________________________________________

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Number of Mounted Entries: Entry fee includes one judged entry, a competition t-shirt and lunch Friday and Saturday as well as access to all seminars, the Friday evening social, the Saturday evening banquet meal and the Big Rock Sports East Show.

Entry fee $35 __________

Additional Judged Entries $25 each __________

(After December 11 all judged entries for non pre-registered Taxidermists will be $45)

Taxidermist not bringing a mount or guest/spouse of taxidermist: Entry fee includes a competition t-shirt and lunch Friday and Saturday as well as access to all seminars, the Friday evening social, the Saturday evening banquet meal and the Big Rock Sports East Show. Number of Guests (14 or over), $35 each __________

Total amount enclosed: $________________

Big Rock Sports Taxidermy CompetitionThe Big Rock Sports Taxidermy Competition will take place in conjunction with the Big Rock Sports East Show at the Raleigh Convention Center, 500 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. The show will be open to registered taxidermists and taxidermy competitors and their guests starting January 7, 2016.

Pre-Register by December 11, 2015The pre-registration fee is $35 per person if registered before 5:00 pm on December 11, 2015. It includes the competition entry fee for one mount, a competition t-shirt and lunch Friday and Saturday as well as access to all seminars, the Friday evening social, the Saturday evening banquet meal and the Big Rock Sports East Show. Each additional mount is $25 leading up to the January 8 deadline. Pre-Registration is strongly encouraged in order for Big Rock Sports to accurately plan for the number of entries expected. All pre-registered participants must check in at the taxidermy registration desk inside the Salisbury Street entrance when first arriving at the show. The registration fee is $35 for each non-competing taxidermist or guest.

Registration AFTER December 11, 2015After the pre-registration deadline, you can still register for the show up until 5:00 pm on Saturday, January 9. You must go to the taxidermy registration desk at the Salisbury Street entrance. If you are a competing taxidermist and have not pre-registered by the deadline, the entry fee is $45 per mount. The entry fee does not increase after December 11 for non-competing taxidermists and guests; however, we do ask that you pre-register so the show can be planned accordingly.

The deadline for mount entries is January 8, 3:00 pm. If you plan to attend the show but not bring a mount, you can register until 5:00 pm on Saturday, January 9.

PRE-REGISTRATION is strongly encouraged even if you are not bringing a mount.Complete the registration form above and include a check made payable to Big Rock Sports and mail to: Big Rock Sports, Attn: North American Taxidermy Championship, 900 Freedom Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610

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Register online at TaxidermyChampionship.BigRockSports.com or call 866.365.0130Questions? Email: SafariRoom@WildBlue.net

NORTH AMERICAN TAXIDERMY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY

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• Open Mouth Whitetail Shoulder Mount• Closed Mouth Whitetail Shoulder Mount• Waterfowl• Turkeys/Upland/Non-Waterfowl Birds• Small/Medium Gameheads Gameheads coyote size and smaller. Example: Coyote, Steinbok. This category is also for ½ life-size small/ medium gameheads along with juvenile large gameheads for animals that would weigh 50 lbs. or less. • Large Gameheads

Gameheads larger than a coyote. Example: Mule Deer, Wild Boar. This category is also for ½ life-size large gameheads.

• Small/Medium Life-Size MammalsLife-size smaller than 51 lbs. Example: Coyote, Squirrel. This category may contain juvenile large life-size mammals, such as a bear cub.

• Large Life-Size MammalsLife-size Larger than 50 lbs. Example: Deer, Bear, Mountain Lion. A juvenile animal of a large life-size may be entered as a Small/Medium Life-Size, but is subject to approval by the competition chairman.

• Fish–Skin MountFish that are two-sided skin mounts. Artificial head and fins are not accepted. Fish containing any artificial parts are entered in the Fish Replica category.

• Fish–Replica/Reproduction Fish that contain artificial parts either purchased or made by the competitor. • Reptiles

Reptiles that are skin mounted. Artificial reptiles are entered in the Reproductions/Recreations/Rugs/Art /Other category.

• Reproductions/Recreations/Rugs/Art/OtherReproductions/Recreations/Rugs/Art/Other or anything that does not belong in the above categories.

• Mixed GroupMixed Group category is a combination of two or more categories. Example: a bobcat leaping for a flushing quail. Each piece will be judged and given one combined score. This category will not be based solely off highest score, but also judge’s choice.

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Pick up your North American Taxidermy Championship PARKING PASS at registration and make sure it is properly displayed in your vehicle at all times.

RULES AND REGULATIONS CAN BE VIEWED ATTaxidermyChampionship.BigRockSports.com

Thank you to our SPONSORS!

NORTH AMERICAN TAXIDERMY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY

Hands-on Seminar: Opening a Closed Mouthed Bear and Installing a Jawset with Brenda Duvall and Jim KimballSaturday, January 9 • 8:00 am–12:00 pm

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Thursday, January 71:00 pm–6:00 pm Show Registration 3:00 pm–6:00 pm Seminar: Gene Smith, “Whitetail Finish Work, Part 1”

Friday, January 8 8:00 am–6:00 pm Big Rock Sports East Show, floor open (Registered taxidermists are free to browse, no one under age 16 allowed.)8:00 am–5:00 pm North American Taxidermy Championship Registration Open (Final mount submission deadline 3:00pm Friday, January 8)9:00 am–11:00 am Seminar: Gene Smith, “Whitetail Finish Work, Part 2”10:00 am–12:00 pm Seminar: Terry Weick, “Fish: Body Carving”11:30 am–1:30 pm Catered Lunch served in upstairs ballroom 1:00 pm–4:00 pm Seminar: Tim Jordan, “Mounting a Turkey” 1:00 pm–5:00 pm Hands-on Seminar: Randy Mitchell, “Habitat Construction” (Must register online at TaxidermyChampionship.BigRockSports.com or call 866.365.0130 to attend seminar. This class has limited openings, spots will fill up. There is a $25 cost to cover materials.) 2:00 pm–4:00 pm Seminar: Vic Heincker, “Making Study Casts”5:00 pm–7:00 pm Competition Room open for viewing6:30 pm–8:00 pm Social with complimentary appetizers and drinks8:00 pm–9:30 pm Roundtable Taxidermy Discussion led by Russell Knight

Saturday, January 98:00 am–6:00 pm Big Rock Sports East Show, floor open (Registered taxidermists are free to browse, no one under age 16 allowed.)8:00 am–5:00 pm North American Taxidermy Championship registration open (Final mount submission deadline 3:00pm Friday, January 8)8:00 am–12:00 pm Hands-on Seminar: Brenda Duvall and Jim Kimball, “Opening a Closed Mouth” (Must register online at TaxidermyChampionship.BigRockSports.com or call 866.365.0130 to attend seminar. This class has limited openings, spots will fill up. There is a $25 cost to cover materials.) 10:00 am–12:00 pm Seminar: Jill Spohn, “Molding and Casting”11:30 am–1:30 pm Competition Room open for viewing1:30 pm–5:00 pm Amy Ritchie-Carter, “Small Mammals” 2:00 pm–4:00 pm Seminar: Page Nethercutt, “Bird Movements”6:00 pm–8:00 pm Awards Ceremony and Banquet (Critique time with Judges following the awards presentation.)

Sunday, January 108:00 am–1:00 pm Big Rock Sports East Show, floor open (Registered taxidermists are free to browse, no one under age 16 allowed.)8:00 am–11:00 am Final Judge critique, removal of mounts

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DULE Hotels:

Special hotel room blocks have been reserved starting at $77. For details, visit TaxidermyChampionship.BigRockSports.com

TO ENSURE YOU RECEIVE A DISCOUNT ON YOUR HOTEL, RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN 12/4.

McLaurin Transportation will be providing shuttles to and from the airport, hotels and Raleigh Convention Center.

Hands-on Seminar: Habitat Construction with Randy MitchellFriday, January 8 • 1:00 pm–5:00 pm

Build your own custom scene with one of the most knowledgeable habitat designers in the taxidermy industry. Bring a small-mammal manikin or purchase one from Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply at the North American Taxidermy Championship. Randy will help you construct a habitat scene from scratch, then Head Quarters will provide you with the materials needed to make a lifelike base for your new manikin.

*Please note: In order to participate in a Hands-on Seminar, you must sign up prior to the event, and submit the required $25 materials fee. Class sizes are limited. Viewing is open to the public, free.

Brenda and Jim have both been doing taxidermy for over 30 years, way back before the preinstalled everything. They will help you take a closed mouth bear head and install a jawset in your choice of position. Then everyone will get to set and clay a pair of bear eyes. Everything will be provided. You will be able to take the bear head with the eyes home with you and have the option of purchasing the jawset.

NORTH AMERICAN TAXIDERMY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY

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YouthOpen to children ages 14 and younger, multiple ribbons and a trophy awarded for Best Youth Entry (no cash prizes).

AmateurFor the beginner taxidermist or someone who is just starting to compete. Multiple ribbons and a trophy awarded for Best Amateur Entry (no cash prizes).

Professional Multiple ribbons awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and honorable mention.

The highest scoring 1st or 2nd place piece out of each category will be awarded Best of Category. If there are no 1st or 2nd place ribbons awarded in a particular category then there will not be a Best of Category. Extra points will be awarded for an originally sculpted form as well as a cast from a carcass, wrapped or carved body (must be noted on the mount tag).

The Best Professional Entry winner will be selected by the judges from the Best of Category winners.

Masters There will be multiple ribbons awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Competitors are allowed to use commercially purchased manikins and artificial parts, if exposed or viewable. Artificial parts need not be made by the competitor or otherwise original, but are advised to be conceived as such. This includes but is not limited to: mouth tissue, tongues, jawsets, nictitating membrane, noses, septum, waterfowl heads and feet. Commercial or purchased items not expected to be made by a competitor are ear liners, ear liners with artificial inner ears, eyes and artificial turkey heads. Extra points will be awarded for an originally sculpted form as well as a cast from a carcass, wrapped or carved body (must be noted on the mount tag). The highest scoring 1st place piece out of each category will be awarded Best of Category. If there are no first place ribbons awarded in a particular category, then no Best of Category award will be given out.

The Big Rock Sports Best of Show will be selected by the judges from the Best of Category winners.

Retailers’ ChoiceThere are no entry fees for this category; it will not be judged, and mounts will not be awarded ribbons. Instead, multiple winners will be chosen by Big Rock Sports customers via people’s choice voting ballots.

Chosen mounts will be displayed outside of the competition room, and taxidermists are welcome to advertise their businesses alongside mounts with a small sign, brochure or business card. “For sale” signs are prohibited.

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Opportunity to showcase your work.

Large display of the hottest taxidermy supplies for 2016.

Live sculpting demo withaudience participation.

NORTH AMERICAN TAXIDERMY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY

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In addition to ribbons and trophies... $12,000 Prize Fund for Best of Category and Best of Division Winners Professional Prize Fund: Check for $200 will be awarded to the Best of Category winner in each of the 13 categories. Plus, any mammal mounted on a Head Quarters form awarded Best of Category will receive double the winnings from Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply! Masters Prize Fund:Check for $400 and the title “Champion” for the Best of Category winner in each of the 13 categories.

Plus, any mammal mounted on a Head Quarters form awarded Best of Category will receive double the winnings from Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply!

Best Professional Entry: Custom knife trophy in addition to $400 or $200 for Best of Category.

Big Rock Sports Best of Show: Custom Knife Trophy and Ruger American Rifle, in addition to $800 or $400 for Best of Category.

Retailers’ Choice:$3,000 Prize FundBig Rock Sports customers will vote for their favorite mount on display at the North American Taxidermy Championship, and the top three vote earners will be awarded. These mounts will not be judged. There is no mount entry fee for this division. Bring as many mounts as you would like—anything from a life-size elephant to a small reptile.

PrizesFirst Place: Barnett Crossbow and $300Second Place: Barnett CrossbowThird Place: $200

BonusHead Quarters Taxidermy Supply will award an additional $500 to any of the three Retailers’ Choice Mount Winners for using a Head Quarters mammal form.

Specialty Awards:• United Taxidermists Association Artisan Award

voted on by Competitors• Safari Club International Most Creative Life-size and Most

Creative Gamehead chosen by the Judges

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2015 Retailers’ Choice WinnerGrover Beardon

How it works: You are automatically eligible for the Competitor’s Triple Threat Challenge when you enter three or more mounts into the competition. The five highest scoring groups in the Masters and Professional Division will be brought forth to the judges. Each judge will then cast a vote for the most deserving group of three.

The level at which you will compete will be decided by the division in which the majority of your mounts are entered. For example, if you bring five mounts, and out of the three highest scoring two were entered in the Professional Division and one in the Masters Division, you will go into the challenge at the Professional level. The more mounts you enter, the better your chances of winning.

For rules and more information, visitTaxidermyChampionship.BigRockSports.com

$5,000 Prize Fund sponsored by

Masters1st Place $1,5002nd Place $1,0003rd Place $500

Professional1st Place $1,0002nd Place $7503rd Place $250

JANUARY 7–10RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER

RALEIGH NORTH CAROLINA

Big Rock SportsAttn: North American Taxidermy Championship 900 Freedom DriveRaleigh, NC 27610

2016presents

13 CATEGORIES 5 DIVISIONS $25,000 IN CASH,

PRIZES & AWARDS