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 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 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 ribbon presented to the highest scoring reptile. This is an open division (no novice, professional, master). 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 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 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 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.

A maroon/ white ribbon presented to the entry with the most public votes. Any entry is eligible.

A plaque presented to the entry with the most taxidermist votes. Any gamehead entry is eligible.

These plaques are donated by Walnut Creek Hardwoods Panel. These plaques are awarded Walnut Creek Panel to the highest scoring entries in each division mounted on a Walnut Creek panel. Opt-in during registration

This plaque is selected by all of the judges from the Professional Best of Category winners.

This year BluffCountry Woodworks will be giving out an award for their favorite mount on their product. If you are interested in using any of their products please visit www.bluffcountrywoodworks.com. 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

Donated by Starfish Reproductions, this plaque is presented to the reproduction/replica fish the judge feels is the best in the competition. This entry does not have to be on a Starfish brand reproduction/replica.

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.

Donated by Taxidermy Today Magazine. This award is presented in honor of excellence in taxidermy portraying nature's beauty.

1. Everyone is welcome to compete
2. All entries will receive a critique from the appropriate judge BUT no score will be assigned.
3. Entrants may not enter their mount or any other mount of the same category into the regular competition. Example: If competitor enters a deer head into the MN Challenge he/she may not enter a deer head into the regular competition, BUT could enter a fish, bird, or game head/life size into the regular competition.
4. Entry fee will be 75.00 and will have to be pre-registered by the pre-registration deadline.
5. A minimum of 4 competitors will need to be entered. If only 3 or less competitors are entered entrants will receive notification via phone call prior to the show that the MN Challenge has been cancelled for that year.
6. All entries will be pool judged meaning deer, birds, fish, game head/life size will all compete against each other.
7. It will be a judges choice
   • First Place receives $1000.00 cash
   • Second Place receives $150.00 cash
   • Third Place receives $75.00 cash
   Top 3 will also receive ribbons. In order to be considered for a top three placing your mount must score a 90 or above as determined by the individual judge of the particular category.

A $200 & $100 gift certificate donated by Research Manikins presented to the entry the judges feel is the best in the Novice & Jr. Novice division.

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

Selected by the fish judge from the 2 Best of Category winners (professional & masters) in the Pedestal Fish category.

Selected by the mammal judge from the 2 Best of Category winners (professional & masters) in the Game Head category.

Selected by the mammal judge from the 2 Best of Category winners (professional & masters) in the Large Mammal category.

Selected by the bird judge from the 2 Best of Category winners (professional & masters) in the Waterfowl category.

Selected by the mammal judge from the 2 Best of Category winners (professional & masters) in the Small Mammal category.

Selected by the bird judge from the 2 Best of Category winners (professional & masters) in the Waterfowl category.

Selected by the bird judge from the 2 Best of Category winners (professional & masters) in the Upland Bird category.

Selected by the fish judge from the 2 Best of Category winners (professional & masters) in the Pedestal Fish category.

Selected by the whitetail judge from the 2 Best of Category winners (professional & masters) in the Whitetail Deer category.

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: 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