Why do I Compete?|Shows, Events and Competitions|Forum|Taxidermy Talk

Why do I compete? That is a question I have asked myself many times, especially when that mount just will not come together like the one I was going to do this year. I recall last year when I was working on the little deer I call “Dinky” talking to Vince one day and asking why do I do this, what does it really profit me. With all that has happened in the last 5 days that question has come up in my mind again and during the course of the day I believe the Lord has given the clear answer for me. I mounted a deer today, just a standard commercial mount. I went to tuck the eyes and recalled some things Bryan Eppley had said in his class. I tried what he told us and for the first time ever a problem that I have always struggled with was so simple because of what he had show us and that is when a big light came on! Almost every time I have competed I have learned something. I really got to thinking about just a few things;

Gene Smith scored my first deer ever (along time ago), I learned one of the greatest lessons from his, “this thing ain’t as easy as I thought it was”. He gave me a 3rd pl. ribbon in the pro. div.

Jim Gregory judged the next deer I competed with and taught me some things about nosepads and skin placement I still use today.

Dennis Smith judged another deer and taught me that a earbutt is not a doughnut. Learned things I am still using today.

Ronnie Galliard judged another deer and taught me the importance of having a clean mount with no glue or paint on anything it is not suppose to be. This is something I try to practice on every mount I do.

Tommy Hall judged a deer for me and taught me that eyes and noses should not look “painted”. Improved my eye and nose work tremendously and helps me on every deer I mount.

Keith Bowman judged another deer and taught me that a deer’s teeth don’t stick out past his pallet. Helped me to get a blue ribbon with my next open mouth.

Rick Dunlap judged another deer and helped me with one of my biggest problems of all, tear ducts. They have improved and learned even more about them this time.

And as I have already mentioned Bryan helped me with 2 of my major problems during his critique.

I want to be the best taxidermist that I have the ability to be, but not just to get a ribbon or award. I want the self satisfaction of knowing I have give it my best. With that said I am not saying I do not like ribbons and awards. Anyone who says they don’t is simply lying. The greatest award I have received from competition personally is the BOS Peoples award I received this show, but if I had received nothing I would still have set the easiest eye ever today because of one critique.

I know I am not the best around my area but because of what I have learned from competing, and from the taxidermist I have meet because of the NCTA I believe my commercial work, which is what pays the bills, is much better than it could have ever been with out all the help I have received. Thanks NCTA and all the great taxidermist that have pushed me to be the best I can.