Thursday, March 23 |
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12:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Backboard and table setup (Volunteers Welcome)
Many hands make light work |
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM |
Board Meeting
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5:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
MOUNT REGISTRATION OPENS
All mounts will have a professional photo taken without taxidermist prior to being placed in the showroom by the competition committee. Be sure to sign up at the registration desk for the Childrens seminar, Lady's wine and Bingo as well as your mount critiques at this time as well. |
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Seminar #1 -
Skinning & Fleshing an Atlantic Eider w/ Brad Graber
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8:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
Officers meet with Judges in showroom and go over speciality awards.
If judges are available |
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM |
Hospitality room 221
Come and enjoy a beverage on us in the hospitality room. Dont be shy. |
Friday, March 24 |
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8:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
MOUNT REGISTRATION OPENS
** COMPETITION PIECES ACCEPTED UNTIL NOON ONLY** If you can't make it on time, please call Aaron Reiling at 218-443-1401. All mounts will have a professional photo taken prior to being placed in the showroom by the competition committee. Be sure to sign up for the Children's seminar, Lady's wine and Bingo as well as your mount critiques at this time |
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Seminar #2 -
Extreme Form Alterations w/Jamie Risovi
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11:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Meet & Greet with MN DNR
Come learn about CWD and discuss CWD regulation updates with the MN DNR. |
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
Supply/Vendor Room Open
Located directly below the showroom. Get great deals on products at the show and place a supply order with the vendors with the show discount. |
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
New Member Meeting @Registration Desk.
Get oriented with the show and find out what the MTG is all about, Get any and all of your questions answered. |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Potluck Lunch
Come grab a quick bite to eat on us. Potluck items, snacks and beverages provided in hospitality room 221. Anyone wanting to bring an item to share for the potluck please call Lori Knutson at 320-760-9012 |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Seminar #3 -
Art & Composition w/Doug Eck
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3:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Seminar #4 -
Molding/Casting Bird & Fish Heads & Also Custom Rocks w/Steve Silseth
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5:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Competition Area Open To Members
Taxidermist choice voting at this time. Supper break for judges. |
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
Ladies Wine & Bingo Night
Sign up at the registration desk for an evening of fun for the ladies. Wine and bingo will be provided as well as noncash prizes for the winners. Held in hospitality room 221. |
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
Ice Breaker Party/Happy Hour
Catch up with old and new friends. Appetizers and a Beer Keg will be on us! Cash bar avaible as well. |
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
AUCTION NIGHT
Enjoy a great time helping to support the MTG with its main fundraising event of the year. Items for everyone, not only limited to taxidermy items. We are always in need of auction donations, any and all items donated are greatly appreciated. Cash Bar available. |
9:30 PM - 12:00 AM |
Happy Hour
Time for more fellowship and perhaps a few beverages. Will be held in the banquet room. Cash bar closes at 10pm. Dont worry we got you after that!! |
Saturday, March 25 |
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9:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Seminar #5 -
Mouinting a Whitetail w/Justin Bach
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10:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
Supply/Vendor Room Open
Check out all the great products and place a supply order at the show with the show discounts offered. |
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
PUBLIC VIEWING SHOWROOM OPEN
Showroom will be open to all members as well as the general public. A small fee will be required for all non-members to enter. All children 12 and under are free. Ladies, People, and Kids Choice awards will be voted for at this time. |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Childrens Arts and Crafts
JUST FAUX FUN TIME w/ Laurie Graber. Faux Taxidermy, Glow Bugs and more! Fun activities for all ages. Please see the Kids seminar section in the newsletter for more information. |
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
MOUNT CRITIQUES
Sign up at the Registration desk upon registering at the show to schedule your time with the judge. If you brought a piece to the show, be sure to sign up for a critique. This is why we all come...to learn! |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Seminar #6 -
Setting Your Work Out From The Crowd w/Brett Winfield
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1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Supply/Vendor Room Open
Thank the vendors for coming and make final purchases! (volunteers needed for backboard teardown). |
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Seminar #7 -
Explanation of Score Sheets and How it Relates to Reference. w/Sam Cahoy
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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
Come hang with new and old friends. Cash bar provided. Keg on us if still available. |
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
Banquet Dinner
Prime Rib Dinner. Pre buy only. Online or mail in registration. No walk in available, must have meal ticket. |
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Awards Presentation
Dress to impress, no tee shirts or sweatshirts please. Competition room will be open immediately following thew awards banquet for ribbon viewing. |
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM |
Showroom Open and Photos With Award Winners
Showroom will be open for ribbon viewing and critiques. All award winners please make sure to get an absolutely amazing photo of you and your mount with Patrick! |
11:00 PM - 1:00 AM |
Happy Hour
Time to Celebrate!!! The beer is on us! |
Sunday, March 26 |
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8:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Showroom Open to Members and Family
Showroom open to members and family. Critiques maybe be given if judges are available. |
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
Board Meeting and Elections
General membership meeting and elections. Members please attend, your voice is important. Door prizes for those in attendance. |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Mounts released following meeting
Please help with showroom tear down. Many hands make light work. Thank you all for coming and seeing what the MTG has to offer. Drive safe and we hope to see you all again in 2024! |
Brad will go through the entire process of prepping a duck for taxidermy. He will show you how he takes his measurements as well as skinning a leg to leg incision. He will then completely flesh and wash the Eider for mounting. At the end of the seminar everyone in attendance at the seminar will be put into a drawing for the Drake Eider to be gifted to a lucky taxidermist to do as they please with. Nothing like starting with a fleshed and washed bird to work on!
Jamie will take two plain shoulder mount whitetail forms and turn them into a double pedestal mount. Altering the pose of the forms as well. You wont want to miss this one.
Doug is one of the best in the industry when it comes to composition and artistic flow. He will show you how he makes a custom pedestal mammal, that is not a brisket attachment. Doug will demonstrate his approach, design, and methods for a "floating" mount. Its one thing to have a well done mount, that's the start. What will really set your apart from the rest is your composition. You wont want to miss this one!
Steve is a multi state champion taxidermist with wealth of knowledge when it comes to molding and casting products. He will go over how he molds and casts bird and fish heads. As well has shown your how to make and paint very convincing custom habitat rocks.
Justin is a very well rounded taxidermist & his Mammals Gameheads and Whitetails have all won numerous State Titles. Watch Justin has he shows you how he mounts a whitetail shoulder.
How do i make my competition piece stand out from the rest? Focusing on design and composition. Steps in the creative process from concept to creation to completion. Sketches and models, reference study, design and composition, creating a plan, execution, and completion.
Sam will breakdown and explain exactly what's all in your score sheet. This will be a question and answer type seminar so don't be shy. This will be a very informative seminar and help you learn what makes up your score and how it relates to properly reading reference.
Birds
Mammals
Whitetails
Ohio Taxidermy Supply | http://www.ohiotaxidermysupply.com | Millersburg, OH | 866-267-1212 |
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 |
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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 turkey in the professional division. Must score a 90 or higher to be eligible. Freeze dried heads are ok but must be painted by competitor.
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 ribbon is presented to the highest scoring reproduction fish purchased or original cast and paint. This entry must score a 90 or higher to qualify.
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 given to the highest scoring reproduction fish. Fish don't have to be an original reproduction made by the competitor, although bonus points may be given for original reproductions. Must score a 90 or higher to win state champion. Best of category will be eligible for 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 awarded to the highest scoring turkey in the master's division. Entry must score a 90 or higher to be eligible. Freeze dried heads are ok but must be painted by competitor.
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 pink and white ribbon will be awarded to the piece voted on by all the female attendees at the show. All entries are eligible.
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.
Avian challenge award. 2023 chosen bird is a Bufflehead. Any pose you want. Winner not based on score or division. Bird judge picks his favorite one. Winner will pick the bird species for 2023 show. Should be a bird that is easily attainable for most.
Best Bear award. Judges Choice best bear. Open to all divisions.
sponsored by the Minnesota Chapters of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Judges Choice Award for best elk. open to all divisions.
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.
Judges choice given to the piece the makes the biggest impact in the showroom.
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
The Ichthy Award (For Ichthyology or the study of fish) will celebrate the art of fish taxidermy and the challenges associated with it. For 2023 the challenge will be "best eye set" The fish judge will decide which fish best demonstrates the challenge, regardless of the division entered. The winner of 2023 will decide what the challenge will be for 2023 and will be unable to compete for the award the following year.
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.
Given to the piece with the most votes by all the kids attending the show. All pieces are eligible.
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.
Sponsors choice favorite pheasant mount. Open to any division. Winner chosen by Clay County Pheasants Forever.
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
Judges choice best life size mount and diorama. This can be any full size mount mammal, bird, fish etc. No half size or shoulder mounts are eligible. Winner will receive a acrylic plaque as well as a $500 Cash prize!!
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
This is a special award chosen by the USSA family! Any entry is eligible!
This award will be chosen by a Walnut Creek Representative (if attending show) or Judges, from a feminine point of view, "What would a women love to have in her home!" It is open to any division but MUST BE ON A WALNUT CREEK BASE! Winner will also receive a $50 Walnut Creek Hardwood gift card!! Opt-in during registration
Donated by Taxidermy Today Magazine. This award is presented in honor of excellence in taxidermy portraying nature's beauty.
John Hlebaen with Central Minnesota School of Taxidermy graciously donated a $300 cash prize for the "Most Unique Mount" at the show. this will be open to all categories and divisions. winner will be chosen by John or one of the school instructors at the show.
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 18, 2023 and must include full payment
*** NO EXCEPTIONS ***February 6, 2023 - March 18, 2023
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 | $20 / 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