ARIZONA TAXIDERMIST ARTISTS’ ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES

There are three divisions in the competition:  Novice, Professional, and Masters.    Each division lists requirements and descriptions.  All awards will be announced and presented at the Saturday night banquet.

Novice Division

1. Eligibility:  Open to all entrants except those who have won a best of category or two blue ribbons in a specified category and have been automatically bumped into the Professional division.  Group or Company entries are not allowed.
2. Categories:  All categories are open to the Novice division.
3. Awards:  First, second, third and honorable mention place ribbons will be given based on the judge’s decision.

Professional Division

1. Eligibility:  Open to all entrants except those who have won a best of category or two blue ribbons in a specified category and have been automatically bumped into the Masters division.  Group or Company entries are not allowed.
2. Categories:  All categories are open to the Professional division.  Selected by which specimen constitutes the major portion of the entry.
3. Awards:  First, second, third and honorable mention ribbons will be given based on the judge’s decisions. 

Masters Divisions

1. Open to all entrants who wish to compete at this level or who have won two blue ribbons or a best of category in that specific category. 
2. Categories:  All categories are open to the Masters division.  Selected by which specimen constitutes the major portion of the entry.
3. Awards:  First, second and third place ribbons will be given based on the judge’s decisions. 

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 The ATAA Novice and Professional and Masters divisions judges entries on individual merit against a hypothetical ‘perfect score’ rather than against other entries.  Any entry receiving 90% of a perfect score is awarded a first place (BLUE RIBBON), 80% of a perfect score is second place (RED RIBBON) and 70% of a perfect score is a third place (WHITE RIBBON).

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Major Awards

1. Judges Best of Show-Selected by the judges collectively from all Divisions.  In making the selection judges are not bound by any numerical score an individual mount may have received, but will make the selection based upon the mounts overall merit. 
2. Star*Fish Award-Selected by judges as the best replica fish in the Professional Division or the Masters Division.  Replica may be displayed as a single fish, group or with other mammals or birds.  In making the selection judges are not bound by the highest numerical score but will consider overall color, detail, artistic composition and craftsmanship.  (Sponsored by Frank & Joy Roman and Star*Fish Replicas)
3. Inchumuk Award-Limited to entries the small mammal category that is not involved in the freeze dry process.  This award is selected on the basis of which piece best exemplifies taxidermy as a true art form in relating to its natural surrounding.
4. WASCO Award-Entries in ALL Divisions are eligible.  To be selected by the judges as the most artistic entry.  Includes a merchandise gift certificate.  (Sponsored by WASCO)
5. Best All Around Taxidermist-Limited to ATAA members present at the convention.  Competitors entering this special competition must enter in four areas of competition:  Birds, Fish or Reptiles, Mammals (large or small) and Shoulder Mounts (deer, game head, pedestals, or half life-size are included in this category).  Entries in the required four areas may not include rugs, novelties, and crustaceans, freeze dry or reproductions.  Freeze dry and reproduction parts may be used as long as the competitor does all work.  Anyone wishing to enter this special competition is required to fill out the special entry form at the time of entry.  It is the responsibility of the competitor insures that this is noted on all tags placed by the mounts.  The person with the highest total numerical score with four entries will win this award (see general rule #11).  Entries may be composed of mounts entered in both the Professional Division and the Masters Division.

Best of Category - In each of the major categories, the Highest Numerical Score with a first place ribbon shall earn the title “Best of Category”.