Thursday, April 2 |
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12:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Backboard Setup (Volunteers Welcomed)
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3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Board Meeting
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5:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
MOUNT REGISTRATION OPENS
All mounts will have a photo taken without the taxidermist prior to being placed in the competition area. |
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Seminar #1 -
Brian Olson - Whitetails Hands On
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Friday, April 3 |
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8:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
MOUNT REGISTRATION OPENS
***COMPETITION PIECES ACCEPTED UNTIL NOON ONLY*** If you cannot meet the deadline, please contact Adam Zwick at 320-333-2886. All mounts will have a photo taken without the taxidermist prior to being placed in the competition area. |
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Seminar #2 -
Lance Johnson - Carving/Casting Bird Bodies
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11:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
Hospitality Suite Open
Grab lunch and a beverage on us! |
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
Supply Area is Open
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11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
New Member Meeting @ Registration Desk
Get orientated with the show and what were all about. Get any questions you have answered. |
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
Seminar #3 -
DNR Q&A
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12:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Whitetail Live Mounting Competition
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3:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Seminar #4 -
Doug Eck - Composition & Design
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4:30 PM - 6:30 PM |
Ladies Social!!!
Meet at the registration table to vote for the Ladies Choice Award! |
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM |
Competition Area is Open!
TAXIDERMIST CHOICE VOTING WILL BE DONE AT THIS TIME ONLY!!! Supply area is closed. |
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
Ice Breaker Party/Happy Hour
The Auction & Vendor room will open up. Horderves served with Cash Bar available. This will give you a chance to mingle with your piers and the vendors. |
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
Auction
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Saturday, April 4 |
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9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Seminar #5 -
Tom Hanson - Habitat/Small Mammal
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10:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
Seminar #6 -
Kids Seminar - TBD
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11:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
Hospitality Suite Open
Have lunch on us! |
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Mount Critiques! Competition Area is Open!
Competition room is open to the public for $5/person. Kids age 5 and under are free. |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Supply Area is Closed for Lunch
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12:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
Seminar #7 -
Tyler Erickson - Fish!!!
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1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Supply Area is Open
Thank the vendors for coming and make your final purchases! (Volunteers needed for Backboard tear-down) |
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Seminar #8 -
Mike Nakielski - Birds
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4:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Competition Area is Closed for Ribbon Placement
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6:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Happy Hour!!
Happy hour begins! Cash bar! |
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Banquet Dinner
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8:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Award Presentation!!!
Competition room will open immediately following the awards presentation for ribbon viewing. |
Sunday, April 5 |
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9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Seminar #9 -
Garrett Sunram
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9:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
Mount Critiques! Competition Area is Open!
Competition room is open to the public for $5/person. Kids age 5 and under are free. |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
General Membership Meeting
Everyone please give your input on voting matters and let us know what you think!!! |
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
Mounts are released following the membership meeting!
Please help with the showroom tear down! Thank you for coming to the show and please drive safe!!! |
For Brian’s seminar we will be setting up 4 stations. Each with a deer form, cape, eyes, and clay. (Groups of 4-5 people per station) Brian will demonstrate proper eye and tear duct setting, and then assist each group in setting their own. Then tear it apart and start all over as to give everyone multiple chances at this. This seminar is hands on so bring your favorite tool to set eyes. Everything else will be provided. It will also run 3-4 hours so there will be plenty of time. If you mount deer or any big game for that matter, you need to attend this one.
Carving and Casting bird bodies
Doug’s seminar will be a continuation from last years composition and design. He has great knowledge in the art and will share how he goes about planning out and setting up his pieces. Good art doesn’t happen by accident and he can show you how to take your work to the next level. If time allows, he may even take you on a “field trip” through the showroom to show some of the artistic features he sees in the work.
Tom will show us how he makes a very realistic habitat using durable dirt work and rock. He will also touch on some of his small mammal techniques.
This year Mike with go through all things molding and casting with birds. He will explain how he gets those World Champion results. Bring plenty of questions for him. This is a must see for any bird taxidermist or anyone interested in making your own molds and cast parts.
Garrett will show his process for skin mounting a fish using a cast head and cast fins!
Mammals- Doug Eck began his Taxidermy career in 1984, and began bronze sculpting in 1995. Through hard work and a life-long commitment to studying wildlife, he has enjoyed success, in state, regional, national, and world competitions. He is an internationally collected artist, who has traveled the USA, Canada, and Europe for work. His talents have been commissioned by many companies and organizations, including but not limited to the following: Bushnell, NTA, Final Approach Waterfowl, California Deer Association, Matuska Taxidermy Supply, California Waterfowl Association, The Boone and Crockett Club, The Wild Sheep Foundation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. A few highlights from Doug’s art career are: • Producing bronzes for President George H.W. Bush, and President George W. Bush • Creating a bronze for the USA shooting team at the Olympic Training Center • Winning “Best of Category in Collective Artist” at the World Taxidermy Competition in 2017 • Blue Ribbon recipient at 2013 World Taxidermy Competition in pre-sculpt division • Two-time Wild Wings Artist, Featured artist at SCI, Two National sculpting titles • Serving as a state and National Board of Director for the Wild Sheep Foundation • His latest Honor was re-creating the “Akeley Lion” for the NTA’s Highest Award
Fish/reptiles - My name is Tyler Erickson. I am driven by the desire to produce the most realistic and artistic taxidermy available. I have attended many competitions and seminars in my pursuit to improve. I grew up near Fox Lake, MN. As a young boy, I was introduced to the outdoors by my father and fell in love with God's creation. I landed my first trophy walleye when I was four and still remember trying to reel it in. I am an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. I have been blessed to win many top awards at the state and world level including World Champion (reproductions) in 2017, North American Champion, and National Champion in 2018. Second in the World (reproductions, 2015), 4 Best of Shows, 2 Wasco Awards, along with multiple state champion titles.
Birds - Mike owns and operates Pro Taxidermy in Iron Ridge Wisconsin. Being a second- generation taxidermist, he has spent his lifetime exploring the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and of course, doing taxidermy. Over the years, Mike has honed his skills to become a premier bird taxidermist. His accolades are numerous, including many state and national titles. He has a great eye for detail and artistic flow, and is a great addition to our judging team!
Deer- Thank you for selecting me as one of your 2019 judges. I am a lifelong Wisconsin resident, my wife Michelle and I have been married for 30 years and we have two children, Curtis who is 25 and Emily who is 23. I started in taxidermy at the age of 18 and have been a taxidermist for the last 35 years. I started competing at the age of 19, attending competitions and talking with other taxidermists is where I began to learn more about the trade. Over the last twenty years I’ve been sculpting whitetail deer and mule deer manikins for Matuska Supply Company. Sculpting requires an attention to detail and has broaden my knowledge of anatomy making a more lifelike manikin. As your whitetail deer judge in 2019 I hope I can pass on some of my knowledge to help you to become a better taxidermist. Major Awards: 1997 World Show Competitors Award 1st place professional division 1999 Best in World Mixed Group 2001 Competitors Choice Best of Show World Competition 2014 National Champion – Gameheads 5 WASCO Awards 2 UTA Artisan Awards 3 Breakthrough Best of Show
Dan Rineharts Taxidermy Arts Supply Co. | http://www.taxidermyarts.com | Edgerton, WI | 866-296-2782 |
H & H Tannery | http://www.furdressing.com | Reed City, MI | 231-832-7002 |
Matuska Taxidermy Supply Company | http://matuskataxidermy.com/ | Milford, IA | 800-488-3256 |
McKenzie Taxidermy Supply | http://www.mckenziesp.com | Salisbury, NC | 800-279-7985 |
Wildlife Gallery Tannery | http://www.thewildlifegallery.com | Mt Pleasant, MI | 989-772-4100 |
Masters | Professional | Novice | Jr Novice | Commercial | Open | |
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Arts, Crafts and Antler reproduction |
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Fish Reproduction |
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Lg Mammal Gameheads |
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Lg Mammals |
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Lg Waterfowl |
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One Sided Fish |
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Pedistal Fish |
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Reproductions Misc | ||||||
Reptile |
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Sm Mammal Gamehead |
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Sm Mammals |
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Sm Waterfowl |
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Turkey | ||||||
Upland Birds |
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Whitetail Deer Head |
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*Anyone who has won two Professional Best of Categories MUST move to the Masters division in that category.
Masters | For the Advanced taxidermist. Highest level of excellence expected. This category is for the taxidermist who wishes to compete at the most technically correct, artistically oriented and creative level. A very technical critique will be given. |
Professional | For the Professional, commercial taxidermist. Mounts entered in this division should be technically correct, mechanically sound and exhibit the craftsmanship of a professional taxidermist. A very detailed critique will be given. |
Novice | For the beginning taxidermist. Entries in this division should be for those starting out or for someone venturing into a new category. The emphasis will be on learning and improvement. A very basic critique will be given. |
Jr Novice | For the beginning taxidermist (same as Novice) except this division is for 17 and under. A very BASIC critique will be given. |
Commercial | This division will generally be your "customer" mounts. Entries will be judged from 10ft and no touching or flashlights can be used from the Judge. A score and a few comments will be given on score sheet, no critiques will be given in this category. There is a $5.00 entry fee for this Division that you need to add to your Registration. |
Open | The category for the open division is the Collective Artist. The Open division is a combination of Jr. Novice, Novice, Professional, and Masters. Due to lack of participation this division will be judged according to what is entered. |
The Best of Category Ribbons are three-colored ribbons. The yellow represents third place and the red represents second place. The blue in the middle represents our highest achievement of a first place.
A ribbon presented to the piece the judges feel is the best in the Jr. Novice division.
A ribbon presented to the piece the judges feel is the best in the Novice division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring large mammal in the professional division. This category is for life size larger than coyotes. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring large waterfowl (larger then a mallard) in the professional division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring shoulder mount, pedestal or one half life-size Large game head in the professional division. This category is for all game heads larger than coyotes and excludes whitetail. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Best of Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring one-sided skin mount fish in the professional division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring pedestal mount fish in the professional division. The entry must be a skin mount. Artificial head and fins ok. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring reptile in the professional division. The entry can be a skin mount or a reproduction(original cast or purchased). This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring shoulder mount, pedestal or one half life-size small game head in the professional division. This category excludes whitetail and is for game heads coyotes and smaller. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Best of Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring small mammal in the professional division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. Coyote or smaller. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring small waterfowl (mallard and smaller) in the professional division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring upland game bird in the professional division. All birds that are not waterfowl will enter into the upland category, including turkeys. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Entry.
A ribbon presented to the highest scoring shoulder mount, pedestal or one half life-size whitetail deer. A ribbon presented to the in the professional division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Best Professional Entry.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring large mammal in the masters division. Any mammal larger than a coyote. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judge's Choice Best of Show.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring large waterfowl (larger then a mallard)) in the masters division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judge's Choice Best of Show.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring shoulder mount, pedestal or one half life-size large game head in the master's division. All mammals larger than a coyote. This category excludes whitetail. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judge's Choice Best of Show.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring pedestal fish in the masters division.This entry must be be skin mount. Artificial head and fins ok. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judge's Choice Best of Show.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring reptile in the masters division.This entry can be either a skin mount or an original cast by the competitor. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judge's Choice Best of Show.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring shoulder mount, pedestal or one half life-size small game head (coyote and smaller) in the masters division. This category excludes whitetail. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judge's Choice Best of Show.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring small mammal in the masters division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judge's Choice Best of Show.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring small waterfowl (mallard and smaller) in the masters division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judge's Choice Best of Show.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring upland game bird in the master's division. All birds that aren't waterfowl will enter into the upland category including turkeys. This Upland Game Bird entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judge's Choice Best of Show.
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring shoulder mount, pedestal, or 1/2 life-size whitetail deer in the masters division. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify. The winner of this will be eligible for Judges Choice Best of Show
A ribbon presented to the entry with the most taxidermists votes. Opt-in during registration
This category will have a single first, second and third place ribbon. The pieces in this category will be judged as in the masters division. Opt-in during registration
A green/white ribbon presented to the entry the judges feel is the best habitat and diorama.
A black/orange ribbon presented to the highest scoring out of state piece. No Minnesota taxidermists are eligible for this ribbon. Opt-in during registration
An orange/white ribbon presented to the entry that is picked out by a local celebrity. Any entry is eligible.
Chosen by a local DNR Conservation Officer
A maroon/ white ribbon presented to the entry with the most public votes. Any entry is eligible.
These specialty plaques are fully donated by the company listed.
The ALS Awareness Award is given out in memory of Jason Hatz to raise awareness about the disease. It is chosen by Jason's wife Heather and their four kids.
A plaque presented to the entry with the most taxidermist votes. Any gamehead entry is eligible.
This plaque is selected by all of the judges from the Professional Best of Category winners.
A Plaque will be given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd highest scoring entries among all the entries in the Commercial Division. There is a $5.00 entry fee for this Division that you need to add to your Registration. Opt-in during registration
This prestigious award, along with a 6 month subscription to Breakthrough donated by Breakthrough Magazine. The Judge's Choice Best of Show will be selected by all judges, by mutual agreement, from all the State Champion category winners from the competition.
This plaque is presented to the piece the Mayor of the host city feels is best. Any entry is eligible.
Donated by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply, also is awarded $100 gift certificate to McKenzie. This prestigious award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions towards professionalism, education, and the advancement in the art of taxidermy.
Donated by WASCO, this plaque is presented to the highest scoring fish (skin mount or reproduction/replica) in the competition painted with Polytranspar paints. Although painting can be achieved with powders and scale-tipping waxes, the usage needs to be at least 80% or more using Polytranspar paints. Opt-in during registration
This is a Judges Choice for the best mount using PRO-1 Hide Paste and/or PRO-1 Tans Opt-in during registration
This is a Judges Choice for the best mount entered into the Species Challenge. The 2023 species challenge is any Sunfish. Opt-in during registration Opt-in during registration
Named after an MTG member who passed away in 2003, Terry was well known for his love of bears. This award is dedicated to him and in recognition of outstanding achievement in bear taxidermy. Any species of bear may qualify for this award. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify and is chosen between the highest scoring bear in professional and masters division, at the mammal judge’s discretion.
This is a special award chosen by the USSA family! Any entry is eligible!
Donated by Taxidermy Today Magazine. This award is presented in honor of excellence in taxidermy portraying nature's beauty.
Voted on by the competitors. Any piece in the show is eligible and the entry with the most votes wins. This award is donated by the United Taxidermists Association (UTA) an educational based organization.
Best-All-Around Taxidermist—An accumulation of points will be given for the highest ribbon of each: bird, fish or reptile, life-size mammal and gamehead entered in Professional or Masters Division. Each mount must be declared at the time of registration. Points will be awarded as follows: three (3) points for 1st place, two (2) points for 2nd place, one (1) point for 3rd place. one (1) bonus point will be awarded for each mount entered in the Masters Division and one (1) bonus point for each mount winning Best of Category or State Championship. In case of a tie, the judges will determine the winner. Minimum of 12 points. Opt-in during registration
A trophy presented to the taxidermist with the highest combined score of 4 entries from any category. (ex: 2 fish & 2 birds or 3 whitetails & 1 mammal). These trophies are sponsored by Matuska Taxidermy Supply Company. Opt-in during registration
Donated by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply. Trophies are presented to the taxidermists with the most votes in the following categories: bird
Donated by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply. Trophies are presented to the taxidermists with the most votes in the following categories: fish/reptile
Donated by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply. Trophies are presented to the taxidermists with the most votes in the following categories: lifesized mammal,
Donated by McKenzie Taxidermy Supply. Trophies are presented to the taxidermists with the most votes in the following categories: whitetail
This trophy is donated by Van Dykes Supply. Chosen by a Van Dyke’s representative, if present at show. Otherwise, it will be chosen by the combined judges.
The WASCO Most Artistic Entry Award is presented to the most artistic piece in the competition. The winner is chosen collectively by all of the judges from all entries in the competition. The winner of this coveted award will receive a polished acrylic award. In order to allow the most taxidermists to compete for this award, a winning state entry shall not be allowed to win a second WASCO Award at another state competition. However, a winning state entry will be eligible to win a second WASCO Award at a regional or national competition
All pre-registation & entries must be postmarked by March 16, 2020 and must include full payment
*** NO EXCEPTIONS ***February 1, 2020 - March 16, 2020
Pre-Registration | At Show | |
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Membership | ||
Yearly Membership (If not already a member) | $95 / competitor | $95 / competitor |
Convention | ||
Convention Registration
Note: 4 Regular Division Entries included free with Convention Registration |
$45 / competitor (Online)
or $45 / competitor (Mail-In) |
$75 / competitor |
Divisions | ||
Masters (Regular) | $10 / entry | $20 / entry |
Professional (Regular) | $10 / entry | $20 / entry |
Novice (Regular) | $10 / entry | $20 / entry |
Jr Novice (Regular) | $10 / entry | $20 / entry |
Commercial (Specialty) | $5 / entry | $10 / entry |
Open (Specialty) | $5 / entry | $10 / entry |
Awards | ||
Award Fees | $10 / entry | $20 / entry |
Banquet | ||
Awards Banquet Ticket - Adult | $35 / adult | n/a |
Awards Banquet Ticket - Children (4-12) | $15 / child | n/a |
No banquet tickets available at the door - they must be pre-registered for. Children under 4 eat free.
© Minnesota Taxidermy Guild 2023