2025 Hall of Fame Nominees

Name: BOB Helm

Hometown: Salina

How many years have you been doing Taxidermy: 40+

How many years have you been a member of KAT: 40+

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1. How did you get started doing taxidermy?

In the 70’s, there was an advertisement in the Field and Stream for The North American School of Taxidermy. I sent for this mail order course and was bitten by the taxidermy bug.  After going through this course, I started to skin every animal and bird I could get my hands on. Then through the summer it was fish. Which brought on the infamous air brush and little compressors. This was the most difficult part of taxidermy I think anyone has to master or even get it half right to come out respectfully. This trial-and-error period of the 80’s went on for a while when I was talked into doing a Gun Show and met a good friend of mine Tim Hagger. He told me about the KAT and after a few visits got me to join the organization. This move was the beginning of a hobby turning into a full-time career. 

2. What have been some of your major accomplishments? (Please include State to World Level Awards)

I think my first major accomplishment was getting up the courage to enter a piece in competition to be judged, and open mouth Whitetail. That was my first of many Green Ribbons. Over the years I have entered mounts for my customer pieces and eventually moved to learn more about what to expect from the judges. My most unexpected one came as a Best of Category in the Skin Mount Fish Division with a pair of Crappie. I think the most rewarding was to have Larry Bloomquist judge two bobcats almost 15 years apart with a third place then first place a few years ago. 

3. Contributions to the KAT? (Ex. Served as an officer or volunteered to do a seminar)

I served on the Board of Directors for a few years. Then after Lois Gains moved from the office, I was elected to the Secretary Treasurer position, which I held for a few years. After that time, I held the Vice President position, for a few years with Don Rush the elected President of the KAT. 

4. What impact do you feel you have had on the KAT?

Helped to establish the KAT Scholarship program. The officers as a committee set off letters to the NTA nominating Richard Schmidt to the National Taxidermy Association Hall of Fame. Due to this failure of getting him into this HOF the Richard Schmidt award was established. 

5. What is your advice to the new up and up-and-coming taxidermist? What is something you wished you would have known when you started?

Well the only thing I can say it do not be afraid to try something out of your comfort zone. Get involved with your State, National Taxidermy organizations. 

Name: Dave Selenke

 Hometown: Viola

How many years have you been doing Taxidermy: since 1989

How many years have you been a member of KAT: _I can’t remember but Dennis Schmacher invited me to a convention that was held, I believe at the Canterbury Inn on West Kellogg, maybe mid 1990’s, I did leave the state for 6 years in 2004 been back now for 14 years.

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1. How did you get started doing taxidermy?

I always loved looking at taxidermy, I took some college classes at Butler County Community College. Then trial and lots of errors from there. This was at a time when Taxidermist didn’t share information like we do today. 

2.What have been some of your major accomplishments? (Please include State to World Level Awards)

Received some “Best of Kansas Professional” awards in Deer and Upland Birds, 2 WASCO’s, 6 UTA Artisans, State Champion Upland Bird 2024, Kansas People’s Choice Deer, World Show Awards: Best of Division Interpretive Fish, Best of Division Interpretive Mammal, Won the Interpretive Division 2024, Won “Best of Division Collective Artist Fish” with Cory Foth 2024. 

3. Contributions to the KAT? (Ex. Served as an officer or volunteered to do a seminar)

Served as Board Member for I think 2 terms, Served as Vice President for 1 term. Volunteered to do seminars.

4. What impact do you feel you have had on the KAT?

I always thought taxidermy was more than a bird on a piece of driftwood. So what I tried to do over the years was to bring a piece to the show that tried to convey the essence of the species in an artistic representation. I also try to encourage others to do the same.

I made the motion to start the HOF, and to have it look similar to what the folks in Oklahoma were doing. When I was VP I made a motion to change Master Division winners to State Champions, before the award was “Best of Kansas Master” 

5. What is your advice to the new up and up-and-coming taxidermist? What is something

you wished you would have known when you started?

All the information is now out there for you to become successful. There are now so many one-on-one seminars that just didn’t exist when I started. If I was starting brand new today, I would focus on spending as much time as possible learning anatomy from the guys winning at the State and National level. What is happening under the skin. I believe we owe it to our customer to represent God’s creation the very best we can. I truly believe that most members in KAT love to share information and offer help to anyone wanting to become a taxidermist or are really focusing on improving our art.

I wish I would have known KAT earlier, I felt all alone out there in my shop struggling to mount a bird by watching a Frank Newmyer VHS video and failing. KAT offers so much to guys that want to learn and better their skills. Friendships have been life long and even though we all like to win, it’s not about winning a ribbon or an award. Those awards will end up in a box somewhere, but what’s really important to me is relationships. It’s about friendships and comradery and watching everyone grow and learning this passion we call taxidermy. 

Name: Brian Sigman

Hometown: Wichita

How many years have you been doing Taxidermy: 39 years

How many years have you been a member of KAT: 15 years

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1. How did you get started doing taxidermy?

A buddy and I were hunting ducks a lot back when I was 15 years old. One day we had our limit and we looked at each other and said, “Let’s learn how to do taxidermy!” So sent off to the J.W. Elwood Co. and received our packet for $20. I stuck with doing it but my buddy did not. After several YouTube videos I worked into doing it commercially 20 years ago and rest is history.

2. What have been some of your major accomplishments? (Please include State to World Level Awards)

I haven’t won any world titles since I’ve never tried to compete at that level, but have received State Champion Bird on 4 occasions. I’ve received 5 blue ribbons at state shows along with 9 red ribbons including 2 from a UTA show. I’ve received the Most Improved Taxidermist Award, State Habitat Award, 2-time Distinguished Service Award, and the Conservation Service Award from Ducks Unlimited. 

3. Contributions to the KAT? (Ex. Served as an officer or volunteered to do a seminar)

I’ve been the Treasurer for KAT for the past 14 years and handle all the financing aspects of the Association. This includes paying all bills, handling all convention expenses, controlling our budget and anything else Association related that may arise.  I’m always there to help out with whatever the Association needs to further our future endeavors. 

4. What impact do you feel you have had on the KAT?

I feel since joining and becoming the Treasurer, we have grown the Association as a team into one of the best state taxidermy associations out there. When I took over, we had a very small balance in the checkbook and struggled at shows. After lots of hard work, being inventive in ways to create new interest and revenue back into the Association, we have been able to make great strides in improving the Association and making our shows as big as what they are today with competitors coming from across the country now to attend. With the current leadership and our continued hard work, I see the KAT continuing to thrive and grow into the best it can be! 

5. What is your advice to the new up and up-and-coming taxidermist? What is something you wished you would have known when you started?

Get involved in your local state association and attend the seminars that are offered to you as a member. They are a free way of learning from the best in the industry and it is something that we at KAT offer you just for being a member. We are all here to help you when you have questions, just come and ask at the seminar or shows.

When I first started, I was apprehensive and didn’t feel like anyone would give me the time of day or be willing to help me if I had questions. After talking with several people at my 1stconvention, I quickly learned that was not the case as most were more than willing to give advice, it was great and made me feel much more at ease.

 Name: Patrick Reed

Hometown: Fredonia 

How many years have you been doing Taxidermy: 35 years

How many years have you been a member of KAT: 30 years

Attach a photo of you when returning these questions. 

Please answer the following questions: (If you need more room attach additional pages)

1. How did you get started doing taxidermy? 

I have always had an interest in taxidermy. I took one on one classes with Don Anderson in Wichita for a year. 

2. What have been some of your major accomplishments? (Please include State to World Level Awards) 

Best of Category Masters Whitetail in Kansas and Oklahoma, Best of Category Lifesize Masters in Kansas and Nebraska, and Best of Category Professional Game heads in Kansas

3. Contributions to the KAT? (Ex. Served as an officer or volunteered to do a seminar) 

Served as President, Vice President, Board Member, Judges Committee Chairman, Published the Newsletter for several years, and provided several seminars over the years. I also served on the Board of the UTA and the OKTA.

4. What impact do you feel you have had on the KAT? 

Mentored many through the years and have tried to assist with the association where I could. 

5. What is your advice to the new up and up-and-coming taxidermist? What is something you wished you would have known when you started? 

Do not be afraid to compete because that is how you learn. Do not be afraid to seek advice from others and do not be afraid to try new things.