ON THE COVER: SEAN MCKINNEY

The exciting mule deer entry that graces this cover was mounted by Sean McKinney from Fruitland, Oregon. This entry first won a Breakthrough Award for Judges’ Best of Show at the 2025 Oregon Taxidermy Association competition. Later that year Sean traveled across the US to Peoria, Illinois, and entered it at the National Taxidermists Association convention, where Sean won Third Place National Champion Mule Deer. Congratulations, Sean!

CONTENTS

2         The Breakthrough Gallery  2025 Top NTA Winners

14      Part 1: Whitetail Season Transitions, by Kurt Ainsworth

22        A Little History I Must Share (James Rapalee obituary), by Larry Blomquist

29        Reference Series: Mearn’s Quail, by Larry Blomquist

34        Staining Replica Antlers, by Erich Carter

43        Reference Series: Whitetail Facial Details, by Larry Blomquist

64        Stolz Family Receives International Recognition, by Larry Blomquist

66        Fish Carving Inspiration, by Danny Harris and Bo Wessman

74      Part 1: The Three Dynamics of a Great Shop, by Billy Robertson

10        Editorial

80        Calendar of Events

92        Classified Ads

88        Directory of Advertisers