Canadian Taxidermists Association Competition Rules & Regulations

Revised January 2026

 

General Rules

 

1) The competition is open to any member of the Canadian Taxidermists Association, who are in good standing with the association. Competitors may join the association at registration.

 

2) All entries must be done with conventional techniques, and by the individual competitor.

 

3) Competitors must affirm with signature that all mounts entered by them were done unassisted

 

4) All mounts must be delivered and present at the competition area by 12:00 M on the final registration day of the competition. Mounts cannot leave the competition area until the designated time.

 

5) No one is to be allowed in the competition area prior to, or during judging other than authorized personnel. Access to entries is prohibited after they have been placed in the judging area.

 

6) Any plaques or signs identifying the taxidermist or customer must be removed or obscured before judging. All glass cases must be removed by the competitor before judging. Judges must me able to access and view the entry.

 

7) Entries may only be used once in any CTA competition, and cannot be used in future competitions.

 

8) Where applicable, Permits must accompany any protected species, including raptors.

 

9) Reproductions must have proof of originality or authenticity of the molding process in the Masters and Division of Excellence divisions

 

10) Freeze-dried specimens are not permitted. However Freeze-dried and reproduced parts attached to conventional mounts are acceptable (Ex. Noses, Bills, Fins, Turkey Heads etc.)

 

11) Novelty items are not accepted for judging,

 

12) Score sheets will be given for each entry. Identifying Division Level, Category, and any qualifying awards. Each entry will be examined and judged by the appointed Judge. Critiques will be noted, and a ribbon placement assigned.

 

13) Multiple ribbons may be awarded in most categories. As ribbons are assigned per entry. The exception to this is Division of Excellence, where only single 1st, 2nd, and 3rd are awarded across all categories.

 

14) Any unsportsmanlike behavior will result in a review by the Board, and may result in the loss of any ribbons, awards and disqualification from the competition.

 

Competition Divisions

 

Divisions represent the skill level of the taxidermist and quality of work.

There are 5 Divisions of competition; Youth, Novice, Professional, Masters and Division of Excellence and a 6th non-competing division of Commercial. (see definitions below)

 

Division levels are specific to individual categories. A competitor may compete in one division with one category, and a different division in another category. (Ex. A competitor may compete in Masters – Deer Head, while simultaneously compete in Professional – Waterfowl.)

 

If you receive 3 “Best of Class” awards in a specific category, you must move up to the next division level in that category.

 

A competitor can compete in any Division at any time except for Division of Excellence. In order to move into Division of Excellence, you must have a minimum of 3 first and 1 ‘Best of Class’ in Masters for that category.

 

Once entered into a Division, the competitor cannot move backwards. The exception to this would be a competitor that receives an ‘Honorable Mention’. In this case, the competitor may ask the Board, or be asked by the Board, to be lowered in Division ranking.

 

Awards and Scoring

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Upon examination, judges will assign a ribbon ranking to entry pieces. Individual scoring is no longer assigned. These rankings are broken down numerically as follows: 1st+, 1st, 1st-, 2nd+, 2nd, 2nd-, 3rd+, 3rd, 3rd-,

 

Honorable Mention Awards are determined by division and ribbon ranking, or by the specific award qualifications. When a tie occurs based upon ranking, the Judges will assess who the winner is.

 

For most awards, multi-entry pieces are not combined. Qualification for awards is based upon the single highest ranking entry. However, in voting for the ‘People’s Choice’ and ‘Public’s Choice’ awards, votes for multi-entry pieces will be combined into one entry total.

 

‘All Around Taxidermist’ award is open only to Professional, Masters and Division of Excellence Youth, Novice and Commercial entries do not qualify.

 

Definitions

 

Youth - Any competitor 16 years or younger, Competitors in the Youth division may compete under a Family membership, but must pay competition entry fees. There are no fatal flaws in Youth entries.

 

Novice – Any competitor that is new to taxidermy and has never competed in a given category in a taxidermy competition before. A Novice is someone who is new to taxidermy and still learning the basics of the craft. There are no fatal flaws in Novice entries.

 

Professional – Any competitor who has competed in a given category before and who has generally moved beyond the initial learning stage. A professional is someone who demonstrates a solid understating and execution of their craft.

 

Master – Any competitor who has seen success in a given category. Competitors in this category are expected to show in depth knowledge and expertise in their craft.

 

Division of Excellence – A competitor that has earned his position through competition. Only qualifying individuals may enter. This is the most challenging division, with total perfection of the craft in view. Only single place ribbons are given across the division.

 

Commercial - The Commercial division is open to all competitors of any level at any time. Judging is done from 5 feet back, without a flashlight or physical touch. All entries in this division receive a 1st, 2nd or 3rd, and do not qualify for any competition awards.

 

Fatal Flaw - A fundamental weakness or mistake that prevents an entry from being judged. Entries that are deemed to have a “Fatal Flaw” are not judged, and are removed from competition. Critiues may still be given based upon Judges discretion. Entry fees are not reimbursed. Fatal flaws include, but are not limited to: Major anatomical inaccuracies, wet specimens, in-proper preservation, decomposition, infestation etc. Entries in Youth and Novice, cannot receive a Fatal Flaw.

 

Game Head - are heads of any mammal species other then Whitetail Deer or Mule Deer (which have their own separate category)

 

Small mammals - are defined as any mammal that is coyote size and smaller.

 

Large mammals - are defined as any mammal that is larger then a coyote. This no longer includes the young of the species. (Ex. A Deer Fawn or Bear Cub would be judged as a small mammal, because the entry specimen is smaller then a coyote, even though the adult of that same species would be classified as a large mammal)

 

Categories

 

Each entry is classified into one of the following categories dividing the completion. Some awards are category specific. Best of Class Ribbons are given to the best overall entry in each category, in each division, except DOE. The entry must have received at 1st place

 

ribbon. -Deer Head (Whitetail and Mule Deer)-Game Heads (Any mammal other then Whitetail and Mule Deer)-Life size Large Mammal-Life size Small Mammal-Half Life size Large Mammal-Half Life size Small Mammal-Rugs-Upland Bird (Includes Turkey) -Waterfowl-Raptors-Fish Skin Mount (Any species)-Fish Reproduction (Any Species)-Miscellaneous (Any taxidermy entry not covered by any other category)-Sculpture (Taxidermy forms, must be anatomically correct)-Original Art (Flat art, carvings, artistic sculptures, photography) Problem Solving Questions or problems arising from the interpretation or application of rules should be directed to the Competition Chairman and/or President of the CTA for resolution.