Ohio Taxidermists Association

2011 OHIO TAXIDERMY CHAMPIONSHIPS - MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

The 2011 Ohio Taxidermy Championships, recently held in Mansfield Ohio was a huge success, with approximately 200 taxidermists and over 220 mounts entered. The Ohio Taxidermists Association (O.T.A.), dedicated to the promotion of better taxidermy, wishes to thank Mansfield, all the taxidermists and those who attended the public display for helping to make the event a success. The show and competition was held March 25, 26 and 27 at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center in Mansfield.

Qualifying for a State Championship award requires entering in the Masters division. This very prestigious award includes a special medallion hand sculpted for each category by Cary Cochran, renowned Ohio sculptor and taxidermist. The one-of-a-kind State Champion Medallion Awards are getting a lot of attention throughout the U.S. and are attracting quite a few out-of- state taxidermists to Ohio to compete for them.

Judges Choice, Best of Show:

Jason Campbell, African Roller (Bird)

OTA State Champion Medallion Award Winners:

Lifesize Mammal      Henry Pfeiffer, OH               Tahr
Whitetail Deer           Rick Dunlap, W Va             Whitetail
Gamehead                Darrick Bantley ,Pa             Mule Deer
Fish                           Terry Weick, MI                    Grass Pickerel
Reptile                       Ron Bond, MI                       Snapping Turtle
Bird                            Jason Campbell, Pa           African Roller

Mansfield area taxidermists who received multiple awards included :
Henry Pfeiffer, Mansfield
Casey Watterson, Mt Gilead

Approximately 700 were in attendance at the Public Display, including taxidermists and their families. The level of artistry and originality of the entries was outstanding. The public display will again be open to the public in 2012. The whitetail deer speed mounting contest was a rousing success with approximately 100 spectators cheering on the contestants and voting for the best mount. Toby Burdette, Ohio, was the winner.

Other Awards:

OTA Appreciation Award: Sue Jettinghoff
OTA Best Professional Awards: Lifesize Mammal: Brian Griffin, Fish: Darrick Bantley, Bird: Casey Watterson, Gamehead: Jim McNamara, Whitetail: Rino Turcoliveri
Best All Around Taxidermist: Casey Watterson
WASCO Most Artistic Award: Jason Campbell
OTA Best Amateur Award: Ron Linville
OTA Collective Artists Award: Larry Kelly, Ron Ball and Dennis Ball
UTA Artisan Competitors Award: Larry Kelly, Ron Ball and Dennis Ball
OTA Best Freeze Dried Award: Joe Kulis
OTA Peoples Choice Awards: Fish: Bob Anderson, Whitetail: David Klein, Bird: Greg Pollauf, Lifesize Mammal: Henry Pfeiffer, Gamehead: Casey Watterson, Reptile: Ron Bond
OTA Directors Award: Ryan Dolan
OTA Presidents Challege Award: Chip Wendt
OTA Directors Choice Award: Henry Pfeiffer
McKenzie Taxidermist Choice Awards: Lifesize Mammal: Henry Pfeiffer, Fish: Casey Watterson, Bird: Casey Watterson, Whitetail: Brian Griffin
Fin, Feather, Fur Award: Darrick Bantley
Star Fish Award: Randal Waites
Polytranspar Award: Terry Weick
Walnut Creek Hardwoods Award: Casey Watterson
OTA Ladies Choice Award: Mike Garn
OTA Supplier Appreciation Awards: Pine Acres Tannery, Hilton Eppley Forms, Ohio Taxidermy Supply and McKenzie Taxidermy Supply
OTA Speed Deer Contest Winner: Toby Burdette
NWTF Award: Dan Clark
Art Ledger Best Pheasant Award: Ken Tatge
OTA Best Amateur Habitat Award: Richard Hollins
OTA Best Professional Habitat Award: David Klein
OTA Best MastersHabitat Award: Joe Miles
McKenzie Taxidermist Distinguished Award : Rod Tennant