GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE
2004 MTA/NTA/NTA STATE COMPETITION

1. All mounts entered in the 2004 MTA/NTA competition cannot have been entered in any previous MTA/NTA show.
2. No freeze-dried entries or freeze-dried parts. No exceptions for turkey heads.
3. Protected wildlife must have all necessary permits and paperwork with the mounts at all times.
4. All entries must be totally done by the competitor by themselves, unassisted. An exception to this being tanning, forms, eyes, etc.
5. Only paid entrants in the competition and/or their spouses can attend the seminars. A $20.00 individual fee or $60.00 all seminar fee will be charged for all non-competitors or taxidermy exhibitors wanting to attend the seminars.
6. Removal of entries will not be allowed earlier than 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 29, 2004. The only exception to this will be that of extreme weather.
7. The only way to enter the doors at the show will be by a competitor pass. Each entrant will receive one pass.
8. There will be time allowed for grooming and arranging each entry prior to judging.
9. Distasteful entries will not be allowed (wounds, traps, etc.) at the discretion of the directors.
10. Each mount will be given a numerical score (Scores necessary for winning ribbons are noted below).
11. Must have blue ribbon score to qualify for Best of Category.
12. The decision of the judges on each entry is final!!! Discourteous behavior toward judges or show officials will not be tolerated. Behavior of this kind could lead to disqualification of a competitor and a request for them to leave with their entries.
13. After judging has been completed, point ribbons will be displayed and you may, at this time, identify your mounts with business cards. Plaques and ribbons for major awards will be held and announced at the awards banquet.
14. The number of entries allowed is unlimited.
15. Entries in glass cases must have a removable top and sides to allow for judging. The top and sides must be removed prior to judging and then replaced by the competitor.
16. The Montana Expo Park and competition staff will do all they can to see that your mounts are secure; however, they cannot insure them from danger or theft. All mounts entered into competition will be done so at owner's risk.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

SINGLE CATEGORIES:
A single entered mount on any type of base.

GROUP CATEGORIES:
1. The entrant may choose to have only part of a Group Category entry judged (i.e. there are three pieces and the entrant would like to have two judged, etc.). If there are only two pieces in a group, the entrant wants only one judged, the piece would then be considered a Single Category entry.
2. Each mount in any Group Category entry will be considered an individual piece when calculating entry fees. (i.e. the competition entry fee of $75.00 would cover three mounts on the same base to be judged; if there were four mounts to be judged on the same base, there would be an additional charge of $10.00 for the fourth piece). Each piece of any Group Category entered to be judged is eligible to receive an individual ribbon.
3. Best of Category in all Group Categories will be determined by averaging the ribbon scores of each piece entered in an individual group. (I.e. if you have entered two pieces in a group of three, the score of the two pieces judged will be averaged to give you a final score that will be compared to all other averaged scores in your Group Category to determine the Best of Category winner.

MIXED GROUP CATEGORIES:
Must consist of two or more different species. Specimens must be on the same base.
Attention! If you have a Group Category entry, you must enter it as either a Group where at least two mounts are judged, or indicate that you'd like them judged as singles. You may not do both with the same entry. In all cases, you must decide whether the pieces you enter will be either Single or Group.

COMPETING DIVISIONS EXPLAINED
The Master, Professional, Adult Novice and Junior Novice Divisions of the MTA/NTA convention have always been a way for the competing taxidermist to enter themselves into a class of other taxidermists who are at a similar level of experience. It is a choice that each individual taxidermist can make on his/her own. In fact, it is even possible for the competitor to enter two different divisions. For example, if you are a Professional in birds, and a novice in fish, it is only fair that you be allowed to enter two different divisions. In essence, the MTA/NTA wants competitors to be able to compete in levels that will be most beneficial to their advancement in taxidermy. You cannot enter two like species in separate divisions. (i.e. you cannot bring two deer heads for competition and enter one in novice and one in professional. They must both be entered in one division).
For those of you who would like a little help in deciding which division is right for you, the following is a general guideline:
JUNIOR NOVICE: Pertains to novice competitors who are 16 years and younger. This division allows the judges to separate the Novice Adult from the Young Novice competitors, and tailor their score sheets accordingly.
ADULT NOVICE: Pertains to someone who is over the age of 16 and is a beginner taxidermists and considers himself or herself to be in the early stages of learning.
PROFESSIONAL: Pertains to someone who is a practiced taxidermist and is capable of performing taxidermy at a business or professional level.
MASTER: Pertains to someone who has achieved a high level of expertise in his or her field, and has the ability to consistently produce award winning work.
BEST ALL AROUND: Only Master and Professional may enter. You must ribbon in all categories to qualify for this award.

SCORING AND JUDGING:
All divisions in the 2004 MTA/NTA Competition will be clearly marked for the judges. This will allow the judges to better score and critique the pieces based on its division. Scores for each division are as follows:
Junior Novice Division: 60-69 Honorable Mention, 70-79 3rd place, 80-89 2nd place, and 90-100 1st place.
Adult Novice Division: 60-69 Honorable Mention, 70-79 3rd place, 80-89 2nd place, and 90-100 1st place.
Professional Division 70-79 3rd place, 80-89 2nd place, 90-100 1st place.
Master Division 72-81 3rd place, 82-91 2nd place, 92-100 1st place.