The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) taxidermy exhibition contest will be held in April of 2019 as an opportunity for Louisiana taxidermists to showcase their work and help educate the general public on the state’s wildlife resources.
 
Registration for the biennial contest is open until March 8, 2019. The contest will be held April 17, 2019, at LDWF headquarters in Baton Rouge beginning at 10 a.m. For entry forms and contest rules, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/TaxidermyContest2019 .
 
Taxidermy work has been displayed in the LDWF headquarters lobby in Baton Rouge since 1988. Displays of wildlife and fisheries species help the general public to get a close-up look at the animals that many may never experience. It also helps citizens to understand the conservation mission of LDWF and the threats facing many species in Louisiana.
 
Taxidermists can enter several categories, including big game, upland game, waterfowl, game fish, amphibian life, reptile life and non-game. Winners will have their work displayed at LDWF headquarters and at LDWF field offices throughout the state. The winners will also be featured in the Louisiana Conservationist and The Wildlife Insider.
 
Judging will be done by a panel of professional wildlife and fisheries biologists, professional artists, professional taxidermists and environmental educators. Judging will not only focus on the taxidermy work but also the educational aspect of the piece.
 
For more information, contact Stephanie Cockerham at 225-765-2346 or scockerham@wlf.la.gov.