Winter 2012 Newsletter
President message
We certainly had a great fall meeting in Frankfort. Those people that weren't in attendance sure missed out on a
great seminar. Jan George Mounted a cougar pedestal. I sure didn't know there was that much to look for in a
quality cougar mount. A lot of the info Jan gave can carry over to Bobcats and other animals. I sure was impressed
with Jan's artistic abilities.
On another note, I don't want to ruffle any feathers, but the KTA members need to step it up and come to the
meetings. How can we keep growing if only a hand full of people is involved? The next time a situation comes up
that the KDFWR steps on everyone’s toes; everyone will be saying "somebody should do something about that!"
Will the KTA have enough involved members to stand up and do something about it? Power is in numbers people!
I am sure some had to work or had family plans. In 8 years, I have not missed a meeting, or a convention. I
canceled a family vacation, and even missed a family member’s whole funeral to be at the last convention.
We are in bad need of some of the old timers, as well as some new blood to step it up and make a difference.
Don't be bashful; we need you, your comments, and your ideas.
I had been Vice President for 2 years and President for 4 years. In that amount of time the KTA has grown
significantly. I feel like I have rallied the troops long enough. I have put my 2 cents in. I have not pushed my weight
around, and made demands. I have done my very best to build up the KTA and have aggravated everyone on the
phone to make sure things got done. I feel like my time has come and gone. It has been a good run, but I feel like
its time to step down and hand the reigns to someone that really, truly has the best interest of the KTA at heart.
We need someone who really is ambitious, who wants to be in office, not because it looks good on a business
card, but someone who really thinks they can make a difference and wants to work to make the KTA even better
than it is now.
It is VERY important that you attend the next meeting in Louisville. Wade will give the details later on in the letter.
At the next meeting we will be taking nominations for officers for 2012 through 2014. President, Vice President,
Treasurer, and Secretary. Every one of these jobs is important, none of these jobs are less important than the
other. If you or if you know someone that can make a difference please step up.
I think Wade and I have made a great team, I certainly hope whoever gets voted in does better than we did. That
won’t be easy; it is a lot of work.
Well, I have done everything but BEG the members to attend the meetings and become more involved in every
newsletter I have put out. It’s up to you to make a difference. Please mark your calendars, and be in Louisville in
March! We have a lot of things to discuss and a lot that needs to be voted on, we didn't have hardly enough
people at the last meeting to get anything done or to vote on anything.
For those that made the last meeting at Denny's new shop, thank you! For those that didn't your sure missed out
on some good vittles, and a great seminar.
See ya in March! I haven't had the pleasure of going to Brads Shop, but I am looking forward to it!
Tony Johnson- President KTA
Campton, Ky. 1 (606) 668-9392
Vice Presidents message
I hope everyone has had a great deer season and your freezers are full. Take a break and spend some quality
time with your family through Christmas and New Years and then roll up your sleeves and get busy.
We have secured the Drawbridge Hotel for our convention again this year so be planning and maybe even start
working on your competition piece. We have 8 months to get ready for it, so let's get a bunch of participation and
make it the best convention yet.
We have an opportunity for a trial run for the competition if you are going to mount a turkey or a deer. The
National Wild Turkey Federation national show is coming up in February in Nashville Tennessee. I have heard it is
a good show. We have had several
People in our association do well at the NWTF.
I would like to take this opportunity to say how thankful I am for the opportunity to preserve what God created. I
recently had the opportunity to retire from the Georgetown fire department and I am now a full time taxidermist. I
love being able to go to the shop every day and preserving critters. I was always envious of the full timers before
and now I am glad to join you.
Our next meeting will be March 10, 2012 at Brad Sturgeons Shop in Louisville. All the info and the directions are
on the website at http://www.kytaxidermy.com/upcoming_events.html. We really need you there if you can make it.
We have many things to discuss. One of the most important things will be the discussions of officers. If you are
interested in an officer’s position, please make it
Known so you can be nominated or nominate yourself. We need people who would like to contribute.
I hope every one had a very Merry Christmas and is having a good the New Year. Remember the real reason we
celebrate Christmas and I'll see you at the meeting in March.
Wade Calvert
Vice President
(502) 867-9997
Secretary report
Minutes of Fall Meeting
1. Discussed using the new World Taxidermy Championship Score sheets in the future
2. Tony Johnson will not be running in the up coming President’s Election
3. President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary Elections will be in 2012
4. Discussed Board members not attending the required number of meetings in order to remain on the board
5. Discussed reducing our expenses for awards at the convention (change vendor or )
6. Discussed waving convention fees for officers . (they spend their time working)
7. Need to send out new Certification Certificates
8. Discussed that Wade needed more helpers at the convention
9. Discussed that we need to have a meeting with the Judges to make sure they understand how we want
entries scored. (ie: commercial category to be judged from a distance)
10. Convention July 27,28,29
11. Bird Judge for 2012 is Brett DeFreitas. Need Fish and mammal Judges
12. USSF bear in the Tan.. We will mount it at the next Meeting
13. Next meeting March 10th at Brad /Sturgeon’s shop in Louisville
14. Send out Renewal notices
15. Discussed possibly presenting a Major award at the Sunday Membership meeting
16. Discussed the Presidents award
2012 Convention Update
July 27,28,29
Drawbridge Hotel
2477 Royal Drive Fort Mitchell, KY 41017-3599
Fort Mitchell, KY 41017-3599 (859) 341-2800 Reservations: (800) 354-9793
http://www.drawbridgehotel.com/index.php
Check KTA Website late Spring for Judge’s list
Thanks to Jan George for a great seminar at the last meeting and to
Denny LaCompt for his hospitality!
Next Meeting/Seminar .. March 10th at Brad Sturgeon’s shop in Louisville
STURGEON'S TAXIDERMY, INC.
3886 East Blue Lick Road Louisville, KY 40229 (502) 957-2956
Take the Brooks exit ( # 121) off of Interstate 65….. Turn east off the ramp…..…
Go to the next red light and turn left onto E. Blue Lick Rd go 1.2 miles
We will mount the USSF Bear at the meeting. KTA will supply the Drinks and Meat. Please bring a dish.
Nominations
Send in your Nominations for Officers to
“Nominations”
1140 KY 746
Campton Ky 41301
You can nominate yourself too!
The envelopes will be opened at the next meeting; Verbal Nominations will also be accepted then
Step up we need you!
KTA Web Site Sponsors
Derma Grip, Gunners Taxidermy, Smith’s Taxidermy, John Griffith, Sportsman’s Taxidermy, Boondocks Taxidermy.
Thanks to these Sponsors, their support pays for the Annual Website expenses. If you would like to become a
Sponsor contact damonkus@yahoo.com or 502 493 7787
Kentucky News
After 35 years of being in the Taxidermy business Mike Ohlmann has closed his shop due to health issues. Mike is
past President of the KTA and was one of the people (along with Harry Whitehead, Carl Anderson and others)
responsible for Ky Taxidermist being able to sell inedible wildlife parts and mounts. They petitioned the legislature
back in the 80’s to change the law. It won’t be the same without Mike as part of the Kentucky Taxidermy
Community. We wish Mike the best of luck in the future.
Mike is selling his inventory and equipment...
Contact Mike @ phone; 502-645-4816 or e-mail mctxdy@gmail.com
An email we received
Going on 3 years and I cannot get my mounts back, need help.
From Leann Fugate
This April will be 3 years since I took my turkey to Life Like Taxidermy in West Liberty, Kentucky.
I have called numerous times, I have enquired numerous times, it has became a complete run-around.
I have point blank asked the man "if an accident happened" or if "something happened" but he assures me "they
will be done by next Friday" or "I will have them completely finished in 2 weeks." This April will be 3 years I have
been hearing this. Sad thing is one of the turkeys is my 10 year old son's first bird and we can't even get it back. I
have come to the conclusion " we are not going to get our turkeys back, it's pretty obvious."
His shop is in Louisville( he claims) so I can't go locally to his house and get my birds back or demand to see what
he has done. April will make 3 years, totally rediculous. I am going to try to take him to small claims court plus I'm
contacting the better business Bureau of Kentucky. Is there any way you can help me with this issue? I mean I
gave this man my turkeys in good faith and trust and he has apparently screwed me....
Any help would greatly be appreciated
FRANKFORT, Ky. - A Nelson County man is facing multiple wildlife violations in an ongoing investigation by the
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Kevin Barnette, 43, of Bardstown, is facing 88 counts of illegally taking or possessing deer or their antlers. Eighty-
five of the charges are related to possessing illegal antlers. He also is charged with one count of killing over the
limit of antlered deer during the current deer season.
The final charges include failure to fill out a harvest log and failure to Telecheck a harvested deer. Under
Kentucky law, all deer hunters must register or "check" their harvested animal by telephone or online at the
department's website.. Each charge carries maximum possible penalty of a $1,000 fine, loss of seized firearms and
deer, and loss of hunting privileges for three years. Conservation Officers Steve Nelson, Jeffrey Jewell, Brandon
Boone and Sgt. David Kuhn responded on Dec. 4 to a complaint by a concerned citizen that Barnette had taken
an antlered deer, disposed of the carcass and then took a second buck on the following day. The officers served
two summonses on Barnette, charging him with taking deer over the limit, failure to log the deer and failure to
Telecheck. The second summons charged him with illegally possessing another deer. Their searched produced 84
additional sets of antlers that appeared to be possessed illegally. The officers returned with a third summons on
Dec. 10, citing Barnette with another 84 counts of illegal possession. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officers seized 85
illegal deer racks and a Ruger M77 .300-magnum rifle. Barnette is scheduled to appear in Nelson County District
Court Dec. 27.
Kentucky Taxidermist never delivered, now facing charges
Several years ago Shannon Spears of Kentucky chose to take his elk to Gordon "Butch" Moles for Moles'
taxidermy skills. Spears
dropped off the elk and a $200 deposit with Moles' word that it would be ready in a couple of weeks. Then Moles
was gone.
Spears waited a couple of years, and then heard that Moles was in West Virginia. Along with another hunter who
had used Moles,
Spears went hunting for the missing taxidermist. Spears got his antlers back, no cape, no deposit but he is not
worried about that.
He is worried about the hundreds of people that Moles has stolen from. Especially someone who was having their
first hunt mounted,
that is something special that Moles has taken away from them. Spears is one of a dozen hunters that have been
contacted by
Rutherford County's DA office. They are trying to get as many people that Moles has stolen from to build their
case of felony theft.
Moles was arrested in November, when police saw him sitting in a parked car with a gun. He was charged with
felony theft, and
faces $10,000 in fines.
Kentucky Fish And Wildlife Commission Proposes Elk Hunting Modifications
The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission at its quarterly meeting Dec. 2 proposed issuing 900 quota hunt elk
permits for the 2012-2013 elk seasons. Commission members also voted to modify some deer, small game and
furbearer regulations.
The commission recommends all hunting, fishing and boating regulations for approval by the General Assembly
and approves all expenditures by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. All recommendations
must be approved by legislators before they become law.
In elk-related business, the commission proposed issuing 900 elk permits for the 2012-2013 season, an increase
of 100 permits from last season.
In deer-related business, the commission recommended modifying deer permit regulations. They proposed
removing the one deer per day limit on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in Zone 1 counties during open, quota
gun or mobility-impaired hunts. Hunters also will be allowed unlimited harvest of antlerless deer on WMAs in Zone
1 counties, provided they purchase the proper permits.
In other deer-related business, the commission proposed allowing a hunter who takes two antlerless deer on their
statewide deer permit to be able to harvest an antlered deer on the two deer bonus permit, provided they have not
already harvested an antlered deer. The one antlered deer season bag limit remains. Deer hunters who apply for
quota hunts may exercise a “no hunt this year” option so they may keep their preference points if they can’t
participate in the quota hunts for a particular year.
In furbearer-related business, the commission recommended increasing the season bag limit on river otters from
six to 10 in 58 counties, mainly in the Purchase region and north-central Kentucky. They also proposed moving the
opening of raccoon hunting season from Nov. 1 to Oct. 1 annually and allowing raccoon hunters to use a squaller
type of raccoon call year-round. Bobcat hunting season will now open on the fourth Saturday in November and
close one month later, on the last day of February.
In small-game related business, the commission recommended the use of preference points for the small game
quota hunts administered by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Also, the pheasant quota hunt permit will now be available
at both license vendors and on-line from the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov.
Salisbury man banned from hunting worldwide (former Ky Resident)
A Salisbury resident has been banned from hunting anywhere in the world for two years as part of an greement
with federal authorities in Kentucky on charges that he illegally hunted in and took wildlife from that state. Rodney
L. Poteat agreed to the ban in U.S. District Court in Kentucky last week, according to a Department of Justice
press release. Reached at his Perryman Drive home Wednesday evening, Poteat declined to comment. He also
agreed to pay the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources $5,300 in restitution, and $50 in special
penalty assessments. The restitution is to compensate the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
for the fees Poteat would have paid for hunting in Kentucky between 2002 and 2011, the press release said.
Poteat was charged July 27 and sentenced Sept. 7. He received unsupervised probation. The hunting ban was a
condition of that sentence, Justice Department statement said. According to federal authorities, on Nov. 27, 2010
Join the KTA face book community. Go to the KTA website http://kytaxidermy.com/ and click on the blue face
book box…Lots of our members are on there now and we keep in touch constantly…..Taxidermy, hunting news
and more
CWD found in central Nebraska deer for first time
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has confirmed that chronic wasting disease has been found in three
central Nebraska counties for the first time, with 26 deer carcasses taken during the November firearm hunting
season in Buffalo, Custer and Holt counties testing positive for the disease.
Time to Renew Memberships
KENTUCKY TAXIDERMIST ASSOCIATION INC.
www.kytaxidermy.com
Membership Application
Name _________________________________
Shop Name _________________________________
Address _________________________________
Telephone _________________________________
Cell # _________________________________
Home # _________________________________
Email address _________________________________
Web site Address ________________________________
KTA dues are $60 annually
Affiliate membership $10.00 (per person)
Affiliate membership is only available to immediate family members of a paid KTA regular member.
(ie: spouse,dependant children residing in the same household)
Make checks payable to KY Taxidermist Association and mail to
KTA
Brian Bliese
5010 Prosperity Lane
Hopkinsville, KY 42240