Minnesota Taxidermy Guild

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.

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