This bear got a first place and best of category in the Professional division at the Illinois Taxidermy Association competition in 2004. It also won the McKenzie Rayline award for the highest scoring mount at the competition. At the Illinois Taxidermy Association show, only one judge judged the bear.

In this World show, there were over 800 mounts. The bear got a third place in a single ribbon category in the Masters' Collective division at the World Show in Springfield in 2005. A single ribbon category means that only one piece got a first, only one piece got a second, and only one piece got a third. At the World show there were 5 judges judging the bear. We are happy with what we got at the World Show, because we were up against some great taxidermist in that category. The World Show is held every two years. The last couple of years it has been in Springfield. The next World Show will be in Reno, Nevada in 2007.

To work you way up to Masters' division you have to win an award of excellence in each category. It takes awhile to get that award, and a lot of hard work.

The 2005 World Taxidermy and Fish Carving Championships
Tuesday, March 29, through Saturday, April 25, 2005
Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center
Springfield, Illinois

The 2005 World Show was filmed by Century Films, who are making a long-awaited documentary on taxidermy, as well as taxidermists and their quests to compete at the 2005 World Taxidermy Championships. This 90-minute film will be televised by the BBC in late 2005 and in the United States on a major network as early as Spring 2006

Press release:
TWO TRI-STATE COMPANIES TEAM UP TO PLACE THIRD IN WORLD TAXIDERMY COMPETITION

Please feel free to browse this gallery. If there's any questions you have about your piece send us an e-mail at info@coolcustomfurniture.com or call us toll free at (877) WOOD-USA.