EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Taxidermists from across the country competed for top honors at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Grand National Taxidermy Contest during the NWTF’s 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by MidwayUSA, in Nashville, Tenn.
More than $5,000 in prizes was up for grabs during the Grand National Wild Turkey and White-tailed Deer Taxidermy Competition. Contestants competed in two species categories: white-tailed deer and wild turkey, and two skill divisions: professional and masters.
Alicia Love. Photo courtesy of NWTF.
O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., and HuntVe sponsored these competitions.
Taxidermists combine beauty and practicality to create stunning and highly collectable pieces of art, which they submit to the NWTF’s Grand National Taxidermy Contest to compete against the best taxidermists in the world.
“Many talented artists compete in the NWTF’s taxidermy competition year after year,” said Karen Cavender, NWTF special events coordinator, “yet we continue to be amazed by their skill at preserving the beauty of the animals portrayed in their mounts.”
Winners included:
Wild Turkey Professional Division
Best of Show: Alicia Love of Glendale, Ky.
Competitors’ Choice: Alicia Love of Glendale, Ky.
Commercial: John Beard of Dickson, Tenn.
Best Standing: Chip Hayes of Manchester, Tenn.
Best Strutting: Alicia Love of Glendale, Ky.
Wild Turkey Masters Division
Best of Show: Skip Sims of Golconda, Ill.
Best Group: Skip Sims of Golconda, Ill.
Best Strutting: Skip Sims of Golconda, Ill.
Best Open Wing: Kevin Burleson of Great Valley, N.Y.
Best Standing: John Beard of Dickson, Tenn.
Wildlife Artist Supply Company (WASCO) Award
Most Artistic Entry: Chip Hayes of Manchester, Tenn.
White-tailed Deer Professional Division
Best of Show: Kyle Patin of Lewisburg, Tenn.
Commercial: Ferrell Cosby of Alvaton, Ky.
Competitors’ Choice: Chip Hayes of Manchester, Tenn.
Best Closed Mouth Deer: Alicia Love of Glendale, Ky.
Best Open Mouth Deer: Kyle Patin of Lewisburg, Tenn.
White-tailed Deer Masters Division
Best of Show: Chip Hayes of Manchester, Tenn.
Best Closed Mouth Deer: Chip Hayes of Manchester, Tenn.
Best Open Mouth Deer: Chip Hayes of Manchester, Tenn.
The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage. Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, raised and spent more than $306 million, and conserved nearly 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.
For more information about the NWTF or convention highlights, call (800) THE-NWTF, or visit www.nwtf.org.
2010 Convention Sponsors:
Affinity4, ATK/Federal Premium Ammunition, Bank of America, Bass Pro Shops, Benelli, Browning, Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, CamoFX, Chevrolet, Farm Service Agency, Foxy Huntress, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, HuntVe, Knight Rifles, Leupold & Stevens, Marlin Firearms Company, MeadWestvaco, MidwayUSA, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Band & Tag Co., O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., Mossy Oak and The Pursuit Channel, The Outdoor Connection, Remington Arms Company, Inc., SHE Outdoor Apparel, TriStar Sporting Arms, USDA Forest Service, Weatherby, Inc., Wild Turkey Bourbon, Winchester Division/Olin Corp.
About the NWTF: The National Wild Turkey Federation is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.
Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its more than 350,000 members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.
The Federation works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs – Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.
The NWTF was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C. According to many state and federal agencies, the comeback of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America’s wildlife history.
Visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF for details.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
