Taxidermists from around the U.S. and Canada are gathering in Sioux Falls this weekend for the 48th National Taxidermists Association Convention. Nearly 200 animals will fill the Best Western Hotel Exhibit Hall as the creators compete for prizes.
Hobbyists and professionals are allowed to make as many submissions as they’d like for the competition. Dale Manning is the President of the National Taxidermists Association.
“I mean it’s going to be a huge variety. I don’t know what this variety's going to be, but anything from worms to elephants.”
That’s right-taxidermy worms.
“There’s a guy that comes from Wisconsin. In that past he’s done worms and clams and just funky stuff like that.”
Making taxidermy animals can take some time. First the animal is skinned, then that skin is sent to a tannery, then filled with a styrofoam mannequin to create the final piece. They’re not just popular with hunters-they’re also used for educational purposes at museums and outdoor services.
“You know it’s like everybody likes to go to a zoo and some of those zoo animals when they pass, they go to taxidermists so they can be preserved. So it seems like even if you aren't from a hunting family or if you’re not a fisherman, somewhere taxidermy has touched everybody somehow.”
He says some larger cats are impressive because the taxidermists have to get the details in the fur coats just right.
“It’s something that’s been around a long time and probably in the last 20-25 years, it’s really come around to be considered an artform. And that has evolved through these conventions and competitions.”
The event is scheduled to begin Saturday morning at 10.