In the USA there are 45 state and regional taxidermy associations, plus the National Taxidermists Association and the United Taxidermists Association. There are many others in Europe, Russia, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, and Central and South America  These associations give members the opportunity to focus on local issues and to connect with regional peers.

International organizations give us the opportunity to meet other taxidermists from around the world and expand our thinking to industry-wide issues. Think they are expensive? In 2015 an average membership cost $46.25. Today, it’s only $46.45, a mere 20-cent increase.

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With 240 competition entries (ALL ARE PICTURED), this was by far the biggest show in the past 12 years for the NTA. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was the location for the 48th annual National Taxidermists Association convention, competition, and trade show. The NTA had been at this facility twice before, in 2005 and 2011. It was a great place to host the 2019 National Taxidermy Championships, and the NTA will be returning to the same facility for the 2020 convention July 23–25. For more information call Dale Manning (president) at (406) 721-1214.

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In Issue #133 I presented reference on North American green-winged teal, Eurasian teal, blue-winged teal, and cinnamon teal. For this issue I will be covering additional species: Baikal teal, Bernier’s teal, Brazilian teal, brown teal, cape teal, chestnut teal, and grey teal. This new series on waterfowl will offer the values of shape and feather patterns, but the emphasis will be on the color of feet and bills. Another important area I want to focus on for taxidermists is identification of species. Taxidermists are usually one of the first to be contacted when a hunter has something that he is not sure of what he has. In pulling together this collection of photos, I found some that were also intriguing for attitudes and in flight poses so I had to throw some of those into the mix.

 To subscribe or renew, call 800-783-7266 or order online at www.breakthroughmagazine.com.