Breakthrough Magazine Learn Taxidermy Magazine Trade Journal

12/23/2025

We started the Breakthrough Awards program 23 years ago, and in all that time I do not think I ever left out a winner who sent a perfect writeup and photo -- UNTIL NOW.
Eric Souders won the 2025 Breakthrough Award for Judges' Choice Best of Show at the Nebraska State Taxidermy Association with one of my favorite waterfowl: an America coot.
Please accept my sincerest apology for leaving you out of our recent feature in Fall Issue #159. KATHY

12/17/2025

FALL ISSUE #159: ON THE COVER
Our cover artist is Jack Purcell from Roberts, Montana. His battling pronghorn and coyote entries at the 2024 World Show each captured first places in the gamehead and lifesize mammal Professional Division. His composition and taxidermy were striking from all angles. The pronghorn won Best of Category for gameheads. You will see another view of this winning enty in our Gallery of Wildlife Art. Jack also placed second in the Competitors’ Award - Professional Division with his 4 entries, earning him the cash award of $1,250.00. His habitat won a first place as did his entry of a lifesize pine marten.

12/17/2025

FALL 2025 ISSUE #159
BREATHROUGH GALLERY OF WILDLIFE ART
2024 World Taxidermy Championships®
Professional Division: Best of Category Winners
Best Professional Entry: $1000.00 from McKenzie Supply Casey Harder–Cleveland TX—Iguana
Best of Category, Lifesize Mammal Dawne Stacks–Eldon, MO—Lion
Best of Category, Whitetail Deer Head Trent Bartlett–Lubbock, TX—Whitetail Deer
Best of Category, Gamehead Jack Purcell–Roberts, MT—Pronghorn
Best of Category, Bird Chase Voss–Wellington–New Zealand—Australian Magpie
Best of Category, Fish Andrew Xanthoulakis– Australia—Australian Murray Cod
Best of Category, Reptile/Amphib/Invert Casey Harder–Cleveland TX—Iguana
Best of Category, Reproduction Aaron Schulte–Magnolia, TX—Largemouth Bass
Best of Category, Re-creation Troy Murawski–Scottsdale, AZ—Bald Eagle
Best of Category, Skeleton Gustaaf Wellesen–Norway—Water Rail
Best of Category, Rugs Nicholas Genereux–Crookston, MN—Black Bear
Best Novice Entry Scarlett Grabczyk–New Richmond, WI—Whitetail Deer
TO SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call (985) 345-7266.

12/17/2025

FALL 2025 ISSUE #159
Letters to the Editor: The NTA’s Next Chapter, by C**t Ford
A new chapter is here for the NTA, one that is looking towards the future, but remembering our past. We will show resilience and adaptability, accommodation, and customer service for our members to feel welcome again. We will strive to make you proud to be a member of the National Taxidermists Association again. With transparency and accountability from top to bottom, we are bringing the association back to the members.
TO SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call (985) 345-7266.

12/17/2025

FALL 2025 ISSUE #159
Part 2: Habitat Base for 2024 Best in World Gamehead, by World Champion Brian Olson
In this issue’s article I will take you through my ideas and methods for making this habitat base with my goal of producing it as close as possible to the habitat of the location in Colorado where I killed my mule deer. I had taken a lot of photos of the flora and rocks for reference as well as bringing home some of the grasses and native bushes. The cacti of the area that I brought home had shrunk and dried so much I decided not to mold them, so I used it as reference and sculpted them in clay, casted replicas, and added the details of the cacti.
TO SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call (985) 345-7266.

12/17/2025

FALL 2025 ISSUE #159
African Photo Reference Study: Sables, by Larry Blomquist
Sable antelopes inhabit wooded savannas in East and southern Africa, from the south of Kenya to South Africa, with a separated population in Angola. Male sables are referred to as bulls or bucks, and females as cows or does. I found conflicting references for names of male and female antelopes of Africa, including rams and ewes, but for sable antelopes, bulls or cows were the most common.
TO SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call (985) 345-7266.

12/17/2025

FALL 2025 ISSUE #159
Molding and Casting Emu Legs, by Erich Carter
Editor Note: As you will see in this article, Erich Carter presents a very detailed article in text and photos that is easy to follow. There are names of the products used and where he purchased them. Most, if not all, of these products are available from the supply company advertisers in this issue. You or your employees can easily place this article print copy on a work bench and follow his procedures right through to the finished product. A big thank you to Erich Carter sharing his knowledge and experiences in casting many of the needs we encounter in our work. He plans to write and demonstrate many more valuable processes like you see here, in future issues of Breakthrough.
TO SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call (985) 345-7266.

12/17/2025

FALL 2025 ISSUE #159
European Taxidermy Championship Winners (pictured) from 2025

Judges’ Choice Best of Show, Breakthrough Award Jan Panniger, Germany—Frilled-neck Lizard
Taxidermists’ Choice Best of Show Wesley Kevenaar, The Netherlands—Hairless Housecat

Best of Europe Game Birds
Best of Europe Christel van Ommen-Verdaasdonk, The Netherlands—Water Rail
Second of Europe Stephan Carlsen, Denmark—Eurasian Woodcock
Third of Europe Jani Peura, Finland—Willow Grouse

Best of Europe Game Heads
Best of Europe Pavel Visnak, Czech Republic—Nutria

Best of Europe Habitats
Best of Europe Sebastian Brandt and Zsombor Pünkösti, Germany and Hungary—Arabian Spring Desert Plants with Crowned Lapwing
Second of Europe Christel van Ommen-Verdaasdonk, The Netherlands—Restrepia Orchids on Flame-faced Tanager piece
Third of Europe Stefan Carlsen, Denmark—Sea landscape with seaweed and stone with Common Eider

Best of Europe Mammals
Best of Europe Marie Christin Scheinpflug, Germany—Clouded Leopard
Second of Europe Dimitar Pochekansky, Bulgaria—Lion
Third of Europe Istvan Hajdu, Hungary—Fallow Deer

Best of Europe Non-game Birds
Best of Europe Christel van Ommen-Verdaasdonk, The Netherland—Flame-faced Tanager
Second of Europe Ben Khorshidnam, Canada—Great Horned Owl
Third of Europe Pavel Visnak, Czech Republic—Grey-headed Woodpecker

Best of Europe Reconstruction Scientific Models
Best of Europe Sebastian Brandt, Germany—Bolosaurid
Second of Europe Tihomir Martinovic, Croatia—Red Scorpionfish

Best of Europe Reptiles and Amphibians
Best of Europe Jan Panniger, Germany—Frilled-neck Lizard
Second of Europe Willem van Ommen-Verdaasdonk, The Netherlands—Common Agama

Best of Europe Roe Deer Heads
Best of Europe Michiel Tilley, Belgium—European Roe Deer
Second of Europe Alina Hensen, The Netherlands—European Roe Deer

Best of Europe Skeletons
Best of Europe Tim de Ridder, Belgium—Rothschild's Giraffe
Second of Europe Krisztian Albert, Hungary—Common Blackbird
Third of Europe Hiroto Nakatsubo, Japan—Domestic Cat

Collective Artists Division Winners
1st Place Sebastian Brandt (Germany) and Zsombor Pünkösti (Hungary)—Arabian Spring Habitat + Crowned Lapwing
2nd Place Christel van Ommen-Verdaasdonk and Willem van Ommen-Verdaasdonk—Flame Bowerbird + Habitat
3rd Place Ondrej Salaba (Czech Republic) and Pavel Brabec (Czech Republic)—Siberian Roe Deer

Division of Excellence Winners
1st place Zsombor Pünkösti, Hungary—Common Mynas
2nd place Daniel Salzer, Germany—Red River Hog
3rd place Christel van Ommen-Verdaasdonk—Andean cock-of-the-rock couple

Professional Division, winners selected from all categories
1st Place Daniel Lauridsen, Denmark—Roe Deer Head
2nd Place Hanna Joo, Hungary—Dog
3rd Place Frauke Vandekerckhove, Belgium—Raccoon

TO SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call (985) 345-7266.

12/17/2025

Fall 2025 ISSUE #159
Breakthrough Award Winners (pictured) from 2025
AU Tim Wood
Eur Jan Panniger
NTA Lance Van Dusen
Can George Elekes
UK Alexandra Cherett
AL Lee Duet
AR James Wood
CA Richard Mark
CO Ben Gilbert
FL Shane Chandler
GA Steven Reynolds
KS Todd Kranau
LA Whitney Steward
ID Kody Kay
IL DuWayne Cournoyer
IN Abel Everage
ME Adam Olearcek
MI Benjamin Hoekwater
MS Cole Mears
MO Clint Rickey
MN Trace Armstrong
New Eng Katherine Nee
NY Joe Morin
NE Eric Souders
ND Daniel Meng
NC/SC Brandon Brown
OH Chip Wendt
OK Shannon Martinez
OR Sean McKinney
PA Chad Horst
SD Justin Bach
TN Ethan Starnes
TX Whitney Steward
UT Trevor Harper
VA Jarvie Robinson
WI Brian Olson
WY Justin Frick
TO SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW, visit www.breakthroughmagazine.com or call (985) 345-7266.

12/17/2025

2026
February 18–21, 2026 Safari Club Int.
The Safari Club International 53rd Annual Hunter’s Convention. Music City Center in Nashville, TN. Visit [email protected]. Call (210) 985-HUNT.

February 5–7, 2026 Florida
Florida Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Blvd, Gainesville, Fl 32606. Contact Theresa Durham at (386) 546-7353 or [email protected].

February 11–14, 2026 Nat. Wild Turkey Fed.
National Wild Turkey Federation 50th Convention & Sport Show and Taxidermy Competition. Ga***rd Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville, Tennessee. For more information call (800) 843-6983 or visit https://taxidermy.nwtf.org.

March 5–7, 2026 Virginia
Virginia Taxidermists Association Annual Convention & Competition. Best Western, 109 Appletree Lane in Waynesboro, VA. Contact Amanda Robinson at (276) 275-9879 or [email protected]. Visit www.vataxidermists.com

March 12–15, 2026 Eastern Regional
Eastern Regional Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Clarion Inn in Frederick, MD. Contact Jennifer Carder at (240) 674-9146 or [email protected].

March 13–15, 2026 North Dakota
North Dakota Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Bismarck Hotel & Conference Center in Bismarck, ND. Contact Bill Neuman at (320) 293-5249 or [email protected].

March 18–21, 2026 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Taxidermists Association State Taxidermy Show. Kovalchick Center in Indiana, PA. Contact President John Czerniakowski at (717) 437-5734 or [email protected] or visit www.pataxidermist.org.

March 18–21, 2026 Utah
Utah Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Golden Spike Event Center in Ogden, Utah. Contact Logan Christensen, president, at (801) 388-4359 or [email protected].

March 19–21, 2026 Canada
Canadian Taxidermists Association Competition and Convention. Toronto Sportsman’s Show, International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, in Mississauga, Ontario L4V 1E8. Contact CTA president Chris Rawn at (705) 719-8732 or email [email protected].

March 19–22, 2026 South Dakota
South Dakota Taxidermist Association. Ramkota Motel and Events Center in Watertown, SD. Contact Michyl Cahoy (605) 252-0221 or [email protected]. Visit Southdakotataxidermistassociation.com.

March 26–29, 2026 Kansas
The 44th Annual Kansas Association of Taxidermists Convention and Competition. The Double Tree by Hilton in Wichita KS. Contact Wes Becker at (316) 706-7645 or [email protected]. Visit https://ksassociationtaxidermy.com.

March 26–29, 2026 Iowa
Iowa Taxidermy Association Annual Show and Competition. Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel, 1800 50th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Contact Tim Schroeder, ITA President, at (515) 231-7185 or [email protected]. Visit www.iowataxidermyassociation.com.

March 26–29, 2026 Western Regional
Montana Taxidermists Association will sponsor the Western Regional Convention and Competition. Billings Hotel and Convention Center in Billings, Montana. Contact Autumn Evans at (661) 666-3587or [email protected].

April 9–12, 2026 Michigan
The Michigan Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI. Contact Marc Skutt at (810) 287-5919 or [email protected].

April 9–12, 2026 Minnesota
Minnesota Taxidermy Guild Competition & Convention. Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center in Alexandria Minnesota. Contact Aaron Reiling, MTG President, at (218) 443-1401 or [email protected]. Visit www.mntaxidermyguild.com.

April 9–12, 2026 Wisconsin
Wisconsin Taxidermist Association State Championships. Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay, 2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay, WI, 54313. Contact Amy Schmalzer at (262) 370-7228 [email protected].

April 10–12, 2026 Quebec
Québec Taxidermy Association Convention and Competition. Hotel le Dauphin in Drummondville, Québec Canada. Contact Royal Robillard, president, at (819) 663-7612 or [email protected].

April 16–19, 2026 New York
The United Taxidermists of New York Annual Show and Convention. Holiday Inn in Auburn, New York. Contact Jerry St.Pierre at (607) 761-9709 or [email protected] or visit our website at newyorktaxidermyassociation.com.

April 16–18, 2026 Wyoming
Wyoming Association of Taxidermy Artists 2026 Taxidermy Show. The Hangar Bar & Grill, 1410 Prairie Lane, Bar Nunn, WY 82601. Judges this year are: LIFESIZE: Dean Schulte, GAMEHEADS: Stephen Schulte, BIRDS: Daniel Davis, FISH: Duane Mittlieder. Contact Kelsey Reece at (307) 751-9170 or Donny Paul 307-250-8918 or visit www.wytaxidermy.com.

APRIL 23–25, 2026 Mississippi
The Mississippi State Taxidermist Association Convention and Competition. Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond, Mississippi . Contact Dan Beasley at (601) 259-7826 or [email protected].

April 30–May 2, 2026 (new date, etc.) Georgia
The Georgia Taxidermy Association Annual Convention and Competition. Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, 401 Golden Isles Parkway in Perry, GA. Contact Christie Yawn, GTA Secretary, at [email protected].

May 1–3, 2026 Australia
The AUSAWA Annual Convention and Competition. The York On Lilydale, Mount Evelyn, in Lilydale, Victoria. Please contact the Secretary at [email protected].

May 14-17, 2026 Indiana
The Association of Indiana Taxidermists Annual Convention and Competition. Clifty Inn at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison,Indiana. Contact Todd Buchanan at (317) 861-4783 or [email protected].

May 14–16, 2026 Louisiana
The Louisiana Taxidermists Association Annual Convention, Competition, and Crawfish Boil. Randolf River Center in Alexandria, LA. Contact David Burnaman, president, at (225) 485-6070 or [email protected].

MAY 29–31, 2026 New England (NEAT)
The New England Regional Convention and Competition, hosted by the New England Association of Taxidermists (NEAT) at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton in Windsor Locks, CT. Contact Steve Mudgett at [email protected] or text: start your message with NEAT - 978-771-4185 with any questions.

June 4–6, 2026 Oklahoma
Oklahoma Taxidermists Association Convention and Competition. Doubletree-Warren in Tulsa, OK. Contact LaDeana Andrews, OKTA President, at (580) 235-1873 or [email protected].

June 11–14, 2026 Illinois
Illinois Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Decatur Conference Center in Decatur, Illinois. Contact Ryan Patterson at [email protected].

June 11–14, 2026 West Virginia
West Virginia Taxidermy Association Convention and Mountain State Championship. Days Inn Conference Center in Flatwoods WV. Contact President David Secrist at [email protected] or phone (304) 919-3960 . Follow West Virginia Taxidermy Association on Facebook.

June 18-21, 2026 Alabama
Alabama Taxidermists Association Convention & Competition. Lake Guntersville State Park, 1155 Lodge Dr. in Guntersville, Alabama. Contact President, Paul Smith at .(334) 897-8732 or contact Secretary, Tonya O’Tinger at (217) 440-6294 or [email protected]. Visit www.alabamataxidermyassociation.com.

June 24–28, 2026 Texas
Texas Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Killeen Civic Center in Killeen, TX. Contact Keeley Busbee-Smith at (830) 377-1359 or [email protected]. Visit www.texastaxidermyassociationinc.com.

July 10–12, 2026, 2026 Arkansas
Arkansas Taxidermist Convention 2026. Holiday Inn Little Rock Airport, 3201 Bankhead Drive, Little Rock, AR. Contact Sean Henderson president at (501) 239-3614 or [email protected].

July 16–18, 2026 National Taxid. Assoc.
National Taxidermists Association 55th Convention and Competition. Holiday Inn University Plaza in Bowling Green, KY. Call C**t Ford, president, at (229) 237-6353.

July 24–27, 2026 United Taxidermists Expo
The United Taxidermists Association Taxidermy Expo. Clifty Inn in Clifty Falls State Park. 1650 Clifty Hollow Road in Madison, IN 47250. The inn overlooks the Ohio River and offers rooms and suites. Madison, IN. Contact Tim Stidham at (816) 536-1974 or email stuffit@timstaxidermycom.

2027-2028
February 18–21, 2027 European Championship
The 15th European Taxidermy Championship at the Messezentrum in Salzburg, Austria, in cooperation with RX Austria & Germany and Die Hohe Jagd & Fischerei. Contact Carsten Skakkebaek at +45 40415158 or [email protected].

March 12–14, 2027 North Dakota
North Dakota Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Bismarck Hotel & Conference Center in Bismarck, ND. Contact Bill Neuman at (320) 293-5249 or [email protected].

April 13–17, 2027 The World Show
The World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships®. Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel and Conference Center. 300 E 9th St., Coralville, IA 52241. Call Breakthrough at 800-783-7266 or (985) 345-7266.

June, 2027 Texas
Texas Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Abilene, TX. Contact Keeley Busbee-Smith at (830) 377-1359 or [email protected]. Visit www.texastaxidermyassociationinc.com.

June 10–13, 2027 West Virginia
West Virginia Taxidermy Association Convention and Mountain State Championship. Days Inn Conference Center in Flatwoods WV. Contact President David Secrist at [email protected] or phone (304) 919-3960 . Follow West Virginia Taxidermy Association on Facebook.

March 10–12, 2028 North Dakota
North Dakota Taxidermists Association Annual Convention and Competition. Bismarck Hotel & Conference Center in Bismarck, ND. Contact Bill Neuman at (320) 293-5249 or [email protected].

Calendar of Events is furnished at no charge as a service for our subscribers. Before making plans to attend any of these conventions, you should check with the contact person for any changes. Almost every state has an annual taxidermy competition, and the dates for some have not yet been finalized. Send us the following information as soon as the dates and location are approved—a year ahead is not too early. Attendees and supply companies need time to plan to attend. To have an event listed in this calendar, please email (not all caps, please) us your information:
• Dates and year
• Official name of event
• Facility where event takes place
• City and state
• Contact person’s name, telephone number, and email address.
• Event’s website
Send information to [email protected].
We need the same info for the Breakthrough Award plaque as well as a shipping address.

Explore the Virginia Taxidermists Association for expert taxidermy resources, education, and community. Join us today!

12/12/2025

For Breakthrough Awards for 2026 (next year), we are asking that photos only be submitted from winners— no text.