LOUISIANA TAXIDERMIST ASSOCIATION COMPETITION RULES

REVISED 04/10/21
PRINTABLE VERSION

1. The LTA, its offices, or Board of Directors shall not be responsible or liable for any mounts entered in the competition, under any circumstances.

2. All members entering mounts in competition must sign this form stating that they will, and have, obeyed all competition rules.

3. Membership in the LTA, or reciprocal state associations, must be valid before entering. Any competitor entering the Best All-Around Taxidermist must be a Louisiana resident and current member, or a nonresident LTA member in good standing.

4. Competitors entering the Louisiana Cup must be a Louisiana resident and a current member or a nonresident LTA member in good standing.

5. Competitors may enter as many entries as they wish in all categories.

6. Protected species will need written proof and proper permits to be entered.

7. Any mount deemed by the Competition Committee to be in poor taste may be prohibited and removed.

8. The Judges will make the final decisions as to how mounts place in the competition.

9. Only the Competition Committee can be in the Competition Area while judging is in progress.

10. Mounts entered must be mounted entirely by the person entering with NO assistance from anyone, in any way (the only exception is Rule #11). If reasonable proof is established that this rule has been violated, the person in question may be required to mount the same type specimen entered for a committee.

11. Entries may be entered by individuals or shop employees, but if assistance by shop employees is given; entry must be entered under the collective/studio name. Entries under a collective/studio name cannot be considered for the Best All-Around Taxidermist or Louisiana Cup awards, nor LTA or NTA points credit.

12. The use of commercially reproduced parts, such as jaw sets, tongues, turkey heads, duckbills, feet, etc. must be reported at the time the mount is entered so that the judges can be notified.  Forms and glass eyes are excluded.
    
    
13. The Reproduction category will include fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
    
    
14. No freeze-dried specimens, in whole or part, may be included in any entry.  This does not include plants, grasses, insects, minnows, or crustaceans used as part of the habitat only.  This rule does not apply to freeze-dried velvet antlers or turkey heads; however, the head must be painted by the competitor.
    
    
15. No mount or part of any mount can be entered into the competition that has been in a previous LTA (or SLTA) competition where judges were used.
    
    
16. Entries in cases must have a removable top and sides for judging to be acceptable. Glass cases must be removed by the competitor before judging begins.
    
    
17. Any member found violating a competition rule will be subject to lose any and all awards.  Entry fees, registration fees, or membership dues will not be refunded.
    
    
18. No novelties (i.e. unnatural depiction or representation of specimens in human or bizarre settings).
    
    
19. An entry in the Re-creation category will be accepted provided it is totally prepared by the entrant.  Photographic proof may be required. No points will be awarded for this category.
    
    
20. If the habitat is to be judged, it must be a separate entry. The habitat will be judged separately from the mounted specimen but must be in conjunction with an entered specimen, (i.e. a habitat by itself cannot be entered).
    
    
21. To receive a ribbon in a competition category you must score 90-100 for first place, 80-89 for second place, and 70-79 for third place.
    
    
22. a) Any members, or their families heard to make comments that are considered inappropriate or degrading in regard to the mounts of other members should be reported to the officers, board, or competition chairmen.  The person(s) making the comment(s) will be asked to cease, and if necessary to apologize to the offended party.
    
    b) Any conduct by any competitor that is deemed unsportsmanlike could result in disqualification and forfeiture of any and all LTA awards.  
    
    c) Any verbal or physical displays towards judges or show officials will not be tolerated (whether justified or not).  If the individual does not cease upon request, they will be asked to leave the convention immediately and without a refund of the fees paid.  If circumstances deem necessary, they will be barred from future competitions.