37th Annual Missouri Taxidermist Competition and Convention
August 4th, 5th and 6th 2017

Click Here to Download Your 2017 Show Information Packet

 

Hotel reservations must be made by JULY 4th, Please mention that you are with the MO Taxidermists to get the reduced room rate of $119.00.

The Lodge of Four Seasons

Reservations
Phone: 888-265-5500

 

Meet Our Judges
 

Gene Smith - WhitetailsMany of you

Gene Smith is widely known as one of the world's best whitetail taxidermists and sculptors. Gene has been in the industry for over 30 years, and describes himself as a simple man who loves the Lord, family, and taxidermy. Gene enjoys sculpting whitetails, as well as other antlered game. He has been extremely successful in the competition room as well. Some of his greatest achievements include multiple best of categories, best of shows, Joseph Bruchac Award - Best Whitetail Deer at Nationals, North American Champion - Whitetails, and 2 Best in World medallions. He is also a very experienced judge, having judged several state shows including TX, NC, SC, GA, AL, VA, WV, NY, PA, MI, AR, and OK. In addition to that Gene has also judged the WTC 3 times. We are excited to have Gene make the trip from his home state of Georgia to join us this year.

Mike Orthober - Birds & Fish

Mike Orthober is one of the most well known taxidermists in the world, and of course one of the most talented. For over 37 years Mike has been producing some of the highest quality taxidermy work in all areas, but his favorite projects are small song birds for museums. His experience in the competition room is quite impressive. Multiple State Championships, Best of Show in IA and WI, National Champion, North American Champion, Nationals Best of Show, Taxidermist of the Year, several WASCO awards, Two Time Master of Masters winner, a Second in World title, and two Best in World medallions. His judging experience is equally impressive having judged several state shows, Nationals, the World Taxidermy Championships, European Show, Russian Show, and the New Zealand show. It is an honor to have him back in MO sharing his knowledge with us.


Bill Neuman - Gameheads/Mammals

Bill is a Minnesota native, but has been living with his wife and three daughters in Bismarck, North Dakota for the past 13 years. Bill’s taxidermy career began in 1996 when he attended Story’s Taxidermy School in Iowa. He ran his own taxidermy business for 7 years part time, then 2 years full time before relocating to work for Dakota Taxidermy in 2004. Some special areas of interest include studying anatomy of animals, sculpting, composition and design, artistry, habitat, and molding/casting. His areas of expertise would be all mammals, with an especial attention to detail. He has been fortunate enough to work on many unique species from around the world, with his favorite being the mountain goat.
His competition successes are too long to list, but some of his highlights would be over 20 Best of Categories, 8 Best of Shows (1 at Nationals), 2 National Titles, 5 WASCO Awards, 3rd in World in the live sculpting competition, Best in World Game Head, and has been featured on the cover of Breakthrough Magazine twice. In addition to competing, Bill has also been a judge for several years, judging shows like WI, ND, SD, MT, MN, New England, OR, OK, and TX. He is looking forward to coming to Missouri to meet many new taxidermists and assist them in their mammal taxidermy, so please come with an open mind and be willing to learn.

 


Garland Lessley - Randy Pike Amateur Division

A long time member of the MTA, Garland has been a full time taxidermist since his retirement from the Air Force in 1992. He is well rounded in his ability to portray all types of animals in natural poses and habitats. He has won multiple state championships, several "best of categories", National Champion at the 2011 NTA show, Best International Reproduction at the 2006 IGT, Best of Category and Western Regional Champion in 2002, and a second place ribbon at the 2013 World Taxidermy Championships. Garland's specialty awards include several Polytranspar and Starfish awards, Noonkester Boar award, McKenzie Fish award, RMEF award, MO Trappers Association award, 2 people's choice awards, Art Rocks awards, Best of Category awards for mixed group, Habitat award, and an Old Timer Award. Garland is a perfect fit to judge our Randy Pike Amateur Division.

 

 

 

 

 

Directions from Jefferson City, MO:

38 miles on US 54 West, Right on Bagnel Dam Blvd. (US Bus.54W) go 2.5 miles, Right on Horseshoe Bend Pkwy, Lodge 3 miles ahead on left.

 

Directions from Kansas City, MO:

100 miles on I70 East, Turn right at exit 101 on MO 5 South go 39 miles, Turn left MO 52 East go 33 miles, Turn right on US 54 W go 7.6 miles, Right on Bagnel Dam Blvd. (US Bus.54W) go 2.5 miles, Right on Horseshoe Bend Pkwy 3 miles, then on left.

 

Directions from Springfield, MO:

45 miles on I-44 East to Lebanon, Turn left at exit 129 Jefferson St. (MO-5 North) go 1.7 miles, Turn right on MO-5 North go 23.7 miles to Camdenton, Turn right on US - 54 east go 13 miles, Turn right onto Osage Beach Pkwy South go 2 miles, Turn left onto Bagnell Dam Blvd (US Bus.54W) go 2.5 miles, Right on Horseshoe Bend Pkwy 3 miles, then on left.


 


 

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