Fall 2011 Newsletter
President Tony Johnson
Vice President Wade Calvert
Secretary Jamie Elkins
Treasurer Brain Bleise
Board Members
Gerry Wethington , Jan George , Mathew Maddux, Bill Elstun
Gary Liser, Ed Hancock , R.B. Griffin
Presidents Message
Wow what a turn out at Fort Mitchell. It was really good to see everyone, and also meet some new people, I was very busy so if I didn't get to talk to you I am sorry and hopefully I will see you at the meeting in September.
Well, there is a lot of thanking in order; this show would not be possible without the help of our officials, our board members and a few trophy wives..... lol. I would like to Thank Wade Calvert, our Vice President. He put the hotel together and was the man behind the scenes. I never make a decision without him. He is my right hand man.
Also Stepping up and doing a remarkable job was Tommy Cecil's Trophy wife, Jennifer Cecil. She got a pile of auction items. Just guessing I would say $1500.00 or more .She also helped Damon with the auction.Jennifer and my wife Vicki also worked registration and helped with figuring up the awards when the judges were finished judging. The reason I call these ladies trophy wives is because that's what they are and also they let everyone know cause that was on their name tag... (Inside joke, that got a lot of laughs) Both of these gals were great.
Special thanks to Bill Elstun. He worked with Wade and made it possible for us to have 53 special awards this year. That is unheard of. Brian Bliese did what he does best and that’s taking up that money, and missing out on all the fun. Matt Maddox took pictures of everything that came in and did the slide show at the banquet dinner. R.B. Griffin and Gary Lizer worked the showroom, and hung and organized every mount that came in. All of these people worked all weekend, paid full price to attend, and missed out on a lot of fun. If you see these people please let them know how much they are appreciated.
Last but not least was Damon Kustes, He does all his work all year long, with the website, answering emails, keeping everyone informed and printing this newsletter. If I missed anyone I am sorry. To all these people, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! It’s great to pull together like a big family and have a great show.
Damon has the pictures up on the website and we have a bunch on facebook that I think Matt Maddox posted. Everyoneseemed to enjoy the hotel, and we will try to have it there again next year. We enjoyed the extra space compared to the last few years. At our next meeting one of our newest, and most experienced members will be doing a seminar that I am hearing will be a good one. Wade will get into more details about that.
I am going to leave you with something to think about..... R.B. Griffin made a suggestion that sounds like a good one. I was telling R.B. that I really hated to pick the mount for presidents choice, I have friends there and knew what most of them brought so i just picked one that appealed to me .I didn't know who's deer it was but it ended up being Mr. Chandlers N.C. deer. R.B.'s idea was instead of President's choice have apresident'schallenge award. He said in Florida they used to do this. The President would pick a critter, Bobcat, Coyote, Deer, etc… and anyone who wants to mounts that critter. The Taxidermist who are participating put $20 in the pot. When it’s all said and done the judges pick the winner of their choice. The Taxidermist, who wins, will get the trophy and split the pot with the KTA. I think this could be a great money maker and something to compete for besides an award. It would also bring extra mounts to the show. We had 90 mounts at the show this year and I think the best all-around commercial was a big hit. We had four Taxidermists compete in that category, and I am glad Wade had a nice Trophy for the winner. Please, everyone do some thinking and bring your suggestions to the next meeting. Lastly, if you came to our 2011 convention, thank you for attending, and if you didn't come, you sure missed a good one. We had top notch Judges, and excellent seminars. See YA IN FRANKFORT!
Vice Presidents message
What a great convention we had. If you didn’t make it you missed a great one. Hopefully you can make next years. We had a great turnout with so many quality mounts. We are already in negotiations with the Drawbridge Hotel about next year. Tentative dates are July27-29. We are already talking to judges as well. If you have any suggestions at all, please talk to Tony or myself. We are always looking for ways to improve our Convention.
Our next meeting will be in Frankfort on October 1st at Denny LeCompt’s shop, Drop Tine Taxidermy. Directions will be posted on the website www.kytaxidermy.com. We are very excited about the seminar at the meeting. We will see a cougar pedestal mounted by Jan George. With Jan’s experience, awards and credentials it should be an awesome seminar. Don’t forget to bring a covered dish. It can be a vegetable or dessert or anything else you may want to bring. The KTA will provide the meat. We always eat good, so come hungry and get ready to learn something.
Please keep thinking of ideas to help our association grow. We have made some progress in the last few years but we have so much potential in our State. At this time there are around four hundred licensed taxidermist in Kentucky. We are reaching about one eighth of our full potential. Bring your ideas to the meeting or call Tony, Myself, or any other officers or board members. We would love to see the Kentucky State Convention become one of the premiere Conventions in the Country.
I hope to see everybody in October. Until then, strive for empty freezers.
Wade Calvert
Vice President
(502)867-9997
Secretary Report
KTA Convention Minutes
General Meeting
July 31, 2011
Meeting started at 10:20 am with fourteen members in attendance.
1. Meeting started off with a general discussion of how everyone thought the show went.
2. One issue brought up was the fact of people carrying in their own mounts into the display room.
3. Judges are eligible to judge pieces at any time at their convenience.
4. Also discussed assigning jobs to other members to ease Wade’s workload.
5. Discussed having two people in charge of awards and two people on donations.
6. There was an issue of running out of third place ribbons. Ribbons were borrowed from board members to be replaced at a later time by Wade.
7. Also Ed Hancock was to receive the state chapter NWTF award and Wade is to follow up on that.
8. Also discussed was to keep the show in the same place next year. Everyone was in favor of this.
9. One issue with having the show at this location was difficulty getting the bigger the bases into the competition area.
10. Also discussed was the awards from Graphic Concepts and the possibility of reworking plaques that had the date on them versus sending them back.
11. Also Sarah Hope is to be in charge of ribbons next year. She says she can get ribbons from a different supplier that are bigger and also cheaper (she is also in charge for major horse shows and can get the same ribbons).
12. Next issue discussed was the fact that we have more backboards than the KTA trailer will hold. R.B. Griffin volunteered to store the extra boards at his shop and also the KTA trailer. Also discussed buying a bigger trailer and selling the trailer we have now. We decided that we would evaluate finances after the show and vote upon buying a new trailer at the next meeting.
13. Also motion was made by Wade and seconded by Ed to buy new tires for the KTA trailer with a budget of $320.00.
14. Also discussed that peg boards are to be used in supply area only and not in the competition area.
15. Also discussed setting a date for the next meeting and a location. Denny Lecompte volunteered to have it at his shop, Droptine Taxidermist, 421 North (Bald Knob Road), Frankfort, Kentucky, 10430.
16. Also at the next meeting we will be having a wild game day meal for the grill. Everyone should bring a side dish and also anyone who has wild game and would like to bring it to be cooked on the grill. Directions to Denny’s shop will be sent out in the upcoming newsletter.
17. Jan George (newly elected board member/proud new Kentucky resident) volunteered to do a seminar at the next meeting at Denny’s shop.
18. Motion made by Damon to renew our membership to the Kentucky League of Sportsmen. Seconded by Wade.
19. Also discussed that we should re-evaluate sending out postcards and whether they are effective or not. And is it worth the $200.00 we spend on them. Determined that we should look into it further and make a decision at a later date.
20. Also discussed whether we should continue to sponsor the kid’s camp which costs $150.00. Issue to be voted on at next meeting, hopefully Carl Anderson will be there to follow up.
21. Last item of business was going over the board member elections. The results are as follows: Gary Lizer, Ed Hancock, R.B. Griffin, Jan
KENTUCKY TAXIDERMIST ASSOCIATION
2011 AWARD WINNERS
Special Awards AWARD WINNER
LEAGUE OF KY SPORTSMEN MATTHEW MADDOX
GUNNERS TAXIDERMY AWARD ED HANCOCK
UNITED TRAPPERS OF KY CHEYENNE WILLIAMS
NATIVE KY SPECIES AWARD JACK EMERY
BEST FUR BEARER AWARD CHEYENNE WILLIAMS
KDFWR OFFICERS CHOICE KURT AINSWORTH
DAN SCHABELL AWARD MARK DANIELS
BOBWHITE CLUB AWARD GARY CHANDLER
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FEDERATION DAMON KUSTES
DERBY CITY QDMA KURT AINSWORTH
NWTF DOUBLE EAGLE CHAPTER ED HANCOCK
UNITED BOWHUNTERS OF KY WADE CALVERT
DUCKS UNLIMITED GARY LIZER
QDMA BLUEGRASS CHAPTER KURT AINSWORTH
NWTF STATE CHAPTER ED HANCOCK
JOE MORGAN REPTILE AWARD TONY JOHNSON
WALNUT CREEK AWARD JACK EMRY
AL & EVELYN HOLMES HABITAT ED HANCOCK
LIFETONE AWARD KYLE PATIN
STAR FISH AWARD MARK DANIELS
POLYTRANSPAR AWARD JOEY ARENDER
MAYORS AWARD RB GRIFFIN
PRESIDENTS CHOICE GARY CHANDLER
UNITED SPECIAL SPORTSMAN ALLIANCE
JAYDON MAYFIELD AWARD MARK DANIELS
BEST OF CATEGORY
PROFESSIONAL NAME
WHITETAIL GARY CHANDLER
SMALL MAMMAL CHEYANNE WILLIAMS
GAME BIRD ED HANCOCK
REPTILE TONY JOHNSON
GAME HEADS TONY JOHNSON
MASTERS NAME
WHITETAIL KYLE PATIN
GAME HEAD FRANK WILLIAMS
WATERFOWL DAMON KUSTES
FISH JOEY ARENDER
MACKENZIE TAXIDERMIST
CHOICE AWARDS NAME
BEST WHITETAIL JACK EMERY
BEST FISH JOEY ARENDER
BEST BIRD ED HANCOCK
BEST LIFE SIZE CHEYANNE WILLIAMS
MCKENZIE DISTINGUISHED
SERVICE AWARD WADE CALVERT
WALT BLIESE AWARD TONY JOHNSON
RESEARCH MANIKINS AWARD
($200.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE) BROOKLYN JOHNSON
BEST ORIGINAL CREATION TONY JOHNSON
HORIZON AWARD AL JENNA LEISRING
BEST ALL AROUND TAXIDERMIST
COMMERCIAL DIVISION HARRY WHITEHEAD
PEOPLES CHOICE BEST OF SHOW TONY JOHNSON
JUDGES CHOICE BEST OF SHOW KYLE PATIN
UTA ARTISAN AWARD TONY JOHNSON
WASCO AWARD KURT AINSWORTH
WOODY AWARD JACK EMERY
BREAKTHROUGH AWARD FRANK WILLIAMS
AMATEUR DIVISION 1ST PLACE BROOKLYN JOHNSON RACCOON LIFE SIZE
PROFESSIONAL DIVISION 1ST PLACE CHEYANNE WILLIAMS RACCOON LIFE SIZE PEDESTAL
COLLECTIVE ARTIST DIVISION JAMIE & KELLY ELKINS COYOTE SHOULDER MOUNT
MASTERS DIVISION
NAME MOUNT PLACE
JACK EMERY WHITETAIL (TABLE, SHOULDER) 1ST
JACK EMERY WHITETAIL (PEDESTAL, SHOULDER) 1ST
JACK EMERY WHITETAIL (PEDESTAL, SHOULDER) 1ST
DAMON KUSTES HOODED MERGANSER (TABLE) 2ND
FRANK WILLIAMS ANTELOPE (PEDESTAL, SHOULDER) 1ST
KYLE PATIN WHITETAIL (TABLE, SHOULDER) 1ST
JOEY ARENDER SM MOUTH BASS SKIN MOUNT 1ST
KURT AINSWORTH WHITETAIL (PEDESTAL) 1ST
KURT AINSWORTH WHITETAIL (PEDESTAL) 1ST
PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
NAME MOUNT PLACE
R.B. GRIFFIN LIFE SIZE BOBCAT 2ND
R.B. GRIFFIN LIFE SIZE RACCOON 2ND
R.B. GRIFFIN ALLIGATOR HEAD (REPTILE, SHOULDER) 2nd
GARY LIZER MALLARD 2ND
GARY LIZER MALLARD 3RD
GARY LIZER MALLARD 3RD
GARY LIZER BLACK DUCK 3RD
GARY LIZER PINTAIL 3RD
GARY LIZER WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 3RD
GARY LIZER COYOTE (SHOULDER) 3RD
GARY LIZER LIFE SIZE FOX (TABLE MOUNT) 3RD
KYLE LIZER WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 3RD
KYLE LIZER WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 3RD
KYLE LIZER BLACK BEAR (SHOULDER) 2ND
BILL ELSTUN COYOTE (FULL BODY) 2ND
BILL ELSTUN ELK (SHOULDER) 3RD
BILL ELSTUN BLACK SQUIRREL 3RD
ED HANCOCK TURKEY (PEDESTAL) 1ST
ED HANCOCK TURKEY (TABLE) 3RD
CHEYANNE WILLIAMS RACCOON (LIFE SIZE PEDESTAL) 1ST
MATHEW MADDUX ELK (COW) 3RD
MATHEW MADDUX WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 3RD
DENNY LECOMPTE WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 3RD
DENNY LECOMPTE BOBCAT 3RD
GARY CHANDLER WHITETAIL (PEDESTAL) 1ST
GARY CHANDLER MULE (PEDESTAL) 3RD
TOMMY CECIL BUFFALO (SHOULDER) 3RD
JAMIE ELKINS WHITETAIL (PEDESTAL) 2ND
JAMIE ELKINS WHITETAIL (POST) 3RD
MARK DANIELS SM MOUTH BASS 2ND
MARK DANIELS WHITETAIL SHOULDER 3RD
JONATHAN HUETHER SQUIRREL 3RD
JONATHAN HUETHER DRAKE DUCK 3RD
JONATHAN HUETHER PRAIRIE CHICKEN 2ND
JONATHAN HUETHER PRAIRIE CHICKEN 2ND
CASEY WRIGHT PINE MARTIN (TABLE) 3RD
CASEY WRIGHT MALLARD DUCK (TABLE) 3RD
CASEY WRIGHT WHITETAIL (WALL) 3RD
TONY JOHNSON UNICORN (PEDESTAL) 1ST
TONY JOHNSON TURTLE 1ST
JAMES ASKER WOOD DUCK (TABLE) 2ND
JAMES ASKER PHEASANT (TABLE) 3RD
WADE CALVERT WHITETAIL (PEDESTAL) 3RD
WADE CALVERT FOX (TABLE) 3RD
KEVIN CUMMINGS BOBCATS (LIFE SIZE, ROCK) 3RD
KEVIN CUMMINGS BOBCATS (LIFE SIZE, LIMB) 3RD
TIM VANDERPLOEG PHEASANT (TABLE) 3RD
TIM VANDERPLOEG MALLARD DUCK (DRAKE) 3RD
TIM VANDERPLOEG MALLARD DUCK (HEN) 3RD
MARK DANIELS RAINBOW TROUT (TABLE, REPRODUCTION) 2ND
MARK DANIELS TURKEY 3RD
MARK DANIELS COYOTE (MAMMALS) 2ND
MARK DANIELS TURKEY (HEN) 2ND
COMMERCIAL DIVISION
NAME MOUNT PLACE
R.B. GRIFFIN COYOTE PEDESTAL 2ND
R.B. GRIFFIN LIFE SIZE MINK 3RD
R.B. GRIFFIN COPPERHEAD SNAKE 2ND
BILL ELSTUN BLACK SNAKE 2ND
BILL ELSTUN WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 3RD
ED HANCOCK WHITETAIL (PEDESTAL) 3RD
DAMON KUSTES ELK (SHOULDER) 3RD
DAMON KUSTES RACCOON 1ST
DAMON KUSTES BLACK DUCK (HEN) 2ND
HARRY WHITEHEAD WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 2ND
HARRY WHITEHEAD FISH (SMALL MOUTH) 2ND
HARRY WHITEHEAD MOUNTAIN QUAIL 1ST
JENNA LEISRING WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 1ST
CARL ANDERSON TROUT DISPLAY 1ST
JAMIE ELKINS BOBCAT WALL MOUNT 2ND
JAMIE ELKINS REPRODUCTION MUSKIE 3RD
JAMIE ELKINS WHITETAIL (WALL) 2ND
TONY JOHNSON BOBCAT (WALL) 2ND
WADE CALVERT PRONGHORN 1ST
SARAH JEAN HOPE BLACK HAWAIIAN RAM (SHOULDER) 1ST
KEVIN CUMMINS WHITETAIL (WALL) 2ND
KEVIN CUMMINS WHITETAIL (WALL) 2ND
JONATHAN HUETHER BAT (WALL) 1ST
AMATEUR DIVISiON
NAME MOUNT PLACE
JENNA LEISRING WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 2ND
BROOKLYNN JOHNSON RACCOON (TABLE) 1ST
SARAH JEAN HOPE WHITETAIL (SHOULDER) 2ND
SARAH JEAN HOPE WHITETAIL (HABITAT) 2ND
COLLECTIVE ARTIST DIVISION
JAMIE & KELLY ELKINS COYOTE (TABLE) 2ND