UPDATED 1/8/19
The Annual Show is our showcase for our artists' great work. Members can enter their work to be professionally judged for awards and cash prizes in many categories. Interactive seminars will be available to help increase knowledge of various taxidermy techniques and industry advancements.
Tracy Jacobsen - Mammals
Scott Humble - Birds/Fish/Reptiles
To be announced soon
Friday Night after the potluck BBQ. Bring a prepped hide or skin, preppeed mannikin, a mounting stand (if needed), and all your supplies. You can mount anything you want: deer, bird, reptile, etc. (no fish). $20 entry fee. Judges will pick the best mount for a special prize.
All awards subject to change. More awards pending.
Thursday, June 20 | |
12:00p | Show set-up (your help is needed) |
3:00p - 8:00p | Registration & competition entries accepted |
3:00p - 8:00p | Open workshop |
8:00p | Board member meeting |
Friday, June 21 | |
8:00a - 10:00a | Registration & competition entries accepted |
9:00a | Meeting of officers and judges |
10:00a | Registration closes and judging begins |
10:00a - 12:00p | Seminar - TBA |
10:00a - 3:30p | Open to the public |
1:00p - 3:00p | Seminar - TBA |
4:00p | OAT general membership meeting (please attend) |
5:00p | OAT BBQ and potluck (open to all) |
7:00p | 3-Hour Taxidermy Challenge begins |
Saturday June 22 | |
8:00a - 3:30p | Receive score sheet at registration desk |
8:00a - 1:00p | Individual critiques with judges - by signup |
9:00a - 3:30p | Open to the public |
9:00a - 2:00p | Seminar - TBA |
1:00p - 3:00p | Open critiques from judges |
4:00p - 5:00p | Show break-down and banquet set-up (all mounts removed at this time) |
5:00p-6:00p | Happy hour |
6:00p | OAT awards banquet, raffle, and auction |
The Crook County Fairgrounds is just off Hwy 126 (S Main St.) in downtown Prineville - in the center of Oregon. Nearby accommodations include:
Stafford Inn (541) 447-7100, Best Western Prineville Inn (541) 447-8080, Econo Lodge (541) 447-6231.
The Crook County RV Park is just outside the entrance to the Fairgrounds - (541) 447-2599.
Tent camping is located at the Ochoco Lake County Campground - (541) 447-1209.
Complete Package $140 (required to compete). Click below to open a print copy of the current registration/pricelist.
Pre-register to be entered for a door prize.
2018 OAT Show Registration Form (.pdf, 86k)
Gallery Coming Soon
Gallery Coming Soon
Gallery Coming Soon
Divisions:
UPDATED 6/30
MASTERS: This division is open to anyone who has completed the requirements for this program (see below), either in Oregon or another state. With the most critical judging, you will be learning how to fine tune your work.
OPEN: This division is open to anyone wishing to enter who hasn’t moved up to masters. The work is not judged as tough as the masters division as the division is designed to provide a learning experience through critique.
NOVICE: This division is open to anyone wishing to enter who hasn’t moved up to masters. Designed for people new to taxidermy and/or competition, the division is geared as an entry-level learning tool. Competitors will not receive a full critique.
YOUTH: This division is open to anyone 17 years of age and younger who hasn’t moved up to masters. Similar to the Novice Division, competitors will not receive a full critique.
MASTERS PROGRAM: Points for Master ranking will be gained in the open division: 3 points for a blue, 2 points for a red, 1 point for a white, 1 point for a best of category. Members will need 16 points and 4 blue ribbons to attain the Masters Division. You will be required to compete in the Masters division from that time forward, IN THAT CATEGORY ONLY. A Master or Award of Excellence winner will be required to compete as a Master in Oregon and win 1 blue ribbon before they are awarded a plaque. Any competitor may compete in the Master Division with board approval but will only be awarded a master plaque when the required points are earned. Once you enter the Master Divison in a Category, you may no longer enter the Open Division in that Category.
Categories:
Deer Heads, Game Heads Antlered (other than deer), Game Heads Horned, Game Heads Other (pig, bear, etc.)
Large Lifesize (larger than a coyote), Small Lifesize (coyote or smaller)
Waterfowl, Bird Upland/ Other
Fish Skin Mount, Fish Reproduction
Reptiles
Habitat
Novelty/ Freeze Dried
Collective Artists
Challenge Categories:
4 categories (mammal, bird, fish, reptile) choosen by the previous year's winner.
Mounts may be entered into a Challenge Category in addition to the Open or Masters (no Youth or Novice) for a special entry fee. The mounts are eligible for other awards and will earn points towards other programs. Judging will be performed from 5 feet (no touching or flashlights) by all judges. A winner is chosen for each individual challenge category. The judges will also choose a best overall challenge winner that will receive a special prize.
The winner of each Challenge will choose the following year's specimen but may not repeat the one they just won.
Collective Artists:
This Category is for pieces built by more than one artist
A mount with multiple specimens will be judged as a single piece. This is judged from 5 feet (no touching or flashlights). This Category requires a special entry fee and does not earn points towards any program nor is it eligible for any other awards. Only one member of the collective needs be present to enter.
All-Around Taxidermist:
Highest combined score with a gamehead, lifesize, bird, and fish/reptile.
To be considered for All-Around Taxidermist, the competitor must choose their pieces at registration and earn at leat two blue ribbons (score of 90 or better) on their chosen pieces.
Multiple first, second, and third place ribbons will be awarded in all divisions.
Best of Categories will be issued in the Open and Masters divisions. Specimen must score 90 or better.
Highest Scoring Masters/Open/Novice/Youth as determined by the judges.
Judges Choice "Breakthrough" is selected by the judges collectively for Best of Show. Judges are not bound by score and will consider the mounts overall merit.
Wasco Award is selected by the judges collectively for the most artistic entry. The criteria used are 1. Exhibition of Taxidermy 2. Creativity 3. Artistic Merit.
UTA Artisan Award is selected by the registered taxidermists in attendance at the show by secret ballot.
Taxidermists' Choice "Best Kick-Ass Mount" is selected by the registered taxidermists in attendance at the show by secret ballot.
Van Dyke's Award is selected by the judges collectively for the most original and creative entry.
People's Choice is selected by the attending general public by secret ballot.
Spouses' Choice is selected by the attending spouses of the competitors by secret ballot.
Research Mannikins Best Gamehed is awarded to the deerhead with the highest score in the Open or Masters Divisions. The contestant must declare that they used a Research form at registration.
Taxidermist Challenge is awarded to the judges choice in each challenge. This requires a special entry fee which will be split by the Overall Challenge Winner.
Collective Artists is for pieces built by more than one taxidermist. This category also requires a special entry fee and does not gain points towards any program.
All-Around Taxidermist is awarded to the competitor who has the highest cumulative score on the required pieces, but MUST have also be awarded 2 blue ribbons. Competitor must have a lifesize, game head, fish or reptile, and a bird. The pieces used towards the All-Around must be chosen at registration time.
Horizon Award is issued to the taxidermist who reflects the association's values and work ethic choosen by the board.
Best Habitat as determined by the judges.
Cash bonuses TBD
Sponsored Awards are awarded at the sponsor's discretion. The rules and regulations for any company sponsored awards will be set by the companies that sponsor them.
All awards subject to change without notice
Complete Package... $130 (required to compete)
Includes:
OAT Annual Membership
2 mount entries (in seperate categories)
1 admission to all seminars
1 adult banquet ticket
Annual Membership Fee Only (not competing at show)... $50
Additional Competition Entries... $10 each
Challenge/Collective Artist Entries... $20 each
Seminars Only... $25 each
Non-Member Seminars... $35 each
Banquet Tickets:
Adults... $30 each
Under 12... $15 each
The Oregon Association of Taxidermy has been providing taxidermy education for Wetern States artists since 1983. We strive to increase public awareness of the ever-increasing possibilities created in the imaginations of our experienced members.
Our Annual Show is our showcase for our artists' great work. Members can enter their work to be professionally judged for several awards in every category.
Our artists create memorable taxidermy mounts and replicas - both professionals and hobbyists. The main showcase for our work is the Annual OAT Competition and Show. The images here are from those shows.
Check here for our newsletter with our President's message, upcoming event info, award postings, and other important information.