The Right Stuff:  SCI-OSC Awards Taxidermists’ Talents

Kevin A. Shufran

   Vignette of Clay Wagner’s bobcat.

I spotted the bobcat quickly and I felt the hair rise on the back of my neck.  There was such intensity in its eyes and tension in its body as it paused while climbing down the rocks.  I froze and held my breath.  It was obvious there was only one thing on this cat’s mind; dinner and he was looking right at me.
 
SCI-OSC President Mike Mistelske’s voice broke my trance and brought me back to reality.  I was not in the woods, but in the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Oklahoma Taxidermist Association’s 2009 show, held from 25-27 June.  Mike and I were there to award two contestants for their exceptional talent in the art of taxidermy. 

The Oklahoma Taxidermists Association (OKTA) is a non-profit organization striving to better the art of taxidermy and to further educate its members.  OKTA’s annual show featured the work of taxidermists in Oklahoma and nearby states.  Categories for the competition were whitetails, game heads, fish, birds, reproductions, life-size mammals, reptiles, original 3D art, and original flat art. Divisions were youth, amateur, professional, and master’s.  Mike and I had the privilege of judging and choosing OSC’s Award winners from 147 entries. OSC presented two awards this year; Best Life Size North American Mammal and Best African/Exotic Mammal.  Along with an Award Plaque, the recipients were granted $100. 

   Clay Wagner of Lott, Texas, winner
   of Best Life Sized North American
   Mammal, and his bobcat.

The bobcat that had entranced me was created by Clay Wagner of Lott, Texas.  Mike and I had no difficulty agreeing this was the winner of the Best Life Size North American Mammal.  It was truly an amazing work.  This cat was alive!  In addition to the SCI-OSC Award, Clay’s bobcat also won State Champion-Lifesize, The People's Choice, and The Woody Award.  

While there were no African animals entered, there was no shortage of exotics; Barbary (Aoudad) sheep, black buck, chital (Axis) deer, and a mouflon ram.  This was a more difficult category for us to choose a winner, because the mounts included full size, half size, and shoulder mounts.  Plus they were all very good.  After much deliberation and walking back and forth between the mounts, we choose a Barbary sheep by Danny Keener of Choctaw, OK.  A truly beautiful piece, it featured the animal climbing down a steep grade.  With his head low and eyes focused on his step, it was easy imagine him in nature traversing the treacherous terrain in which he was adapted for.  The force of gravity at work showcased his wonderfully long beard.   Danny also won State Champion – Whitetail at the show.

   Danny Keener of Choctaw
   Oklahoma,winner of Best Exotic
   Mammal, and his Aoudad sheep.

Prior to attending the show I spoke with OKTA member Joe Trammel about how one goes about judging a taxidermy show.  He said, “Taxidermy is really an art.  It is not simply stuffing an animal.  Judges have specific criteria which they look for, and it is the total mount that is finally considered.  We look for an entry that tells a story.”  I understood what Joe had said while walking among the entries at the OKTA show.  These were works of art and reflected the taxidermists’ creativity and personality.  I felt a sense of pride that SCI-OSC was committed to promoting this often misunderstood art and recognizing some of the top artists in our area. 

To see some extraordinary taxidermy art and meet the artists, plan on going to the OKTA 2010 show.  It is an excellent opportunity to meet just the right person to preserve the memory of your next hunt.  For information about OKTA, please contact President Kenneth Bauman at (405) 247-5711 or click here.