Gobblers strut, big chests and beards puff out, attracting attention. Spring hens nest hidden in shadow-casting edge cover. Predators attack the wild turkeys we love, engaged in dramatic duels. Walk through the Grand National Wild Turkey and White-Tailed Deer Taxidermy Competition display at the NWTF's annual Convention and Sport Show, and you'll experience unrivaled artistic renditions, crafty design elements and supreme efforts to re-create moments from times afield like you've never seen before. After all, wildlife taxidermy aims at putting a memory on the wall you can return to whenever you want, just by looking up there. – Steve Hickoff, "Mounting Talent," Turkey Country
Congratulations to the following winners.
Wildlife Artist Supply Company (WASCO) Award
Most Artistic Entry: Mike Mizell
Wild Turkey Master of Masters Division
Winner: John Beard
Wild Turkey Masters Division
Best of Show: Mike Mizelle
Best Strutting: Mike Mizelle
Best Standing: Butch Irwin
Wild Turkey Professional Division
Best of Show: Terry Hale
Best Strutting: Hunter Evans
Best Standing: Terry Hale
Wild Turkey Commercial Division
1st Place: Jeremy Harrison
2nd Place: Victor Hall
Wild Turkey Youth and Amateur Division
Amateur: Anthony Holt
White-tailed Deer Master of Masters Division
Winner: Dave Hyer
Masters Division
Best of Show: Taylor Harrison
Best Open Mouth Deer: Taylor Harrison
Best Closed Mouth Deer: Jason lamb
White-tailed Deer Professional Division
Best of Show: David Cottrell
Best Open Mouth Deer: Jonathon Wyatt
Best Closed Mouth Deer: David Cottrell
White-tailed Deer Commercial Division
First Place: Jonathon Wyatt
Second Place: Jeremy Harrison
White-tailed Deer Amateur and Youth Division
Amateur: Jake Billions
Youth (17 and under): Lane Elliott
For more information about the 2020 Taxidermy Contest, please contact Karen Cavender at kcavender@nwtf.net.