After being absent from the competition world for five years, we recently enjoyed the successes of the 2023 Expo in Wichita, KS. While we tend to show success by the numbers of mounts in the hall, the eighty mounts that were entered were some of the best quality I have seen in a show. We enjoyed after hours events and the ever popular Calcutta, which was won by Brandon Mitchell.
We also began the social hour and awards banquet earlier that usual and were able to be back in the showroom by eight o’clock. I would like to congratulate Cory Foth on his Breakthrough and Wasco awards along with all of the other award winners.
I would also like to thank the onsite vendors for their presence as we know the difficulties that are associated with closing your business for a week and spending the money to travel and be with us. Your sacrifice is appreciated.
As we move forward, that UTA will be looking for a site to have our Expo 2025 and possibly a Regional in 2024. If you have suggestions or ideas please contact Doug Montgomery or Todd Buchanan.
One of the biggest Highlights this year was announcing the 2021 Inaugural and the 2022 class of the United Taxidermist Association Hall of Legends. The criteria for this high award is determined by what the selected individuals have done to further the mission and the and progression of the UTA. The 2021 class included:
Rick Krane, Garland Lesley, Craig Lewis, Manny Chavez and Harry Paulson
The 2022 class included:
Gail Tout, Jan George, John Jennings, Mike (Mac) McLane, Todd Kranau and Tony Finazzo.
The 2021 McKenzie Distinguished Service award was presented to Gail Tout and the 2022 award was presented to Jeff Steely. Both of these individuals have contributed many hours in the thankless secretary position and the organization has benefitted by their efforts.
Stay tuned for more exciting news as we develop our programs for the future and remember to help someone learn about taxidermy. We are all in this together!
Tim
Tim Stidham
Chair of UTA BOD
The UTA is proud to announce our 2021 and 2022 Hall of Legends Inductee's.
2021 Inaugural Class
Rick Krane Manny Chavez
Garland Lesley Harry Paulson
Craig Lewis
2022 Class
Gail Tout Jan George
John Jennings Todd Kranau
Mike (Mac) McLane Tony Finazzo
On Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, Harry B. Paulson Jr., loving husband, beloved father of six children and nineteen grandchildren entered into eternal life at age 81.
Harry was born on Sept. 14, 1940, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Harry and Eleanore Paulson. He attended Hamline University in addition to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Harry was an engineer for the state of Minnesota for 11 years. In 1971, having the courage to set aside a promising civil engineering career, he moved his young family to Phoenix, Arizona in pursuit of his dreams.
Harry was an avid outdoorsman. He had an immense fondness for animals, and he combined his two favorite hobbies to create extraordinary art in taxidermy. He founded, owned and operated several ventures for over 40 years, including Mountain Valley Taxidermy and Mountain Valley School of Taxidermy (one of the very first in the world). He owned and operated Mountain Valley Custom Leathers. He owned, as well as published, The American Taxidermist Magazine. Harry launched careers, mentored and made lifelong friendships with hundreds of his students. Harry was a trailblazer and innovator in the Taxidermy industry, his work was known nationally as well as globally. He was a founding member of The Arizona Taxidermy Association as well as a founding director in the National Taxidermy Association. Harry’s talent and dedication was admired not only by clients, friends and family: In July of 2021, Harry was inducted into the National Taxidermy Hall of Fame in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding contributions to the Taxidermy industry and Achievements in Advancing the Art.
He was an avid music lover and a collector of Elvis memorabilia. He was known for his love of Jesus Christ, his patriotism, a true historian, his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. Harry was perhaps best known for the love, adoration and devotion he had for his wife, Carol and his family, this was the true success story of his life.
Harry was preceded in death by his father Harry Sr., his mother Eleanore, his first wife, Kaye and his granddaughter, Meagan. He is survived and his spirit is carried on by his beloved wife, Carol Ann, his six children, Jeffrey, Thomas, Julie, Tamira, Jennifer, Theresa and his grandchildren, Angela, Jeff, Ben, Nathan, Nicole, Ashley, Austin, Tianna ,Tommy, Brock, Xavier, Avia, Robert, Ava, Troy, Baillee, Kayelyn, and Bela, and many loved friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.
A celebration of Harry’s life will be held on Nov. 15, 2021, at Paradise Memorial Gardens 9300 E. Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to one of the charities supported by Harry listed below.
The American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org (800)342-2383
The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org (800)227-2345
These vendors are offering generous discounts on taxidermy supplies to all UTA Members. You can easily recoup the cost of your membership with a single order.
Be sure to thank them for their support.
The UTA provides education and training services regarding all aspects of the art of taxidermy including a variety of technical services to taxidermists, state associations and others who share a passion and love of the art.
The Artisan Award is chosen by taxidermists - not judges. That's what makes this award so coveted. If you are given an award by other taxidermy professionals, you know you have put together something truly amazing. That's what makes the Artisan Award the "True Taxidermist's Prize".
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