Awards
Best of Category Ribbons
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.

Best Jr. Novice
A ribbon presented to the piece the judges feel is the best in the Jr. Novice division.

Best Novice
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.

Best Professional Large Mammal
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.

Best Professional Large Waterfowl
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.

Best Professional Lg Game Head
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.

Best Professional One-Sided Fish
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.

Best Professional Pedestal Fish
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.

Best Professional Reptile
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.

Best Professional Small Game Head
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
Best Professional Small Mammal
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.

Best Professional Small Waterfowl
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.

Best Professional Turkey
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.

Best Professional Upland Game
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.

Best Professional Whitetail
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.

Best Reproduction Fish
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.

State Champion Large Mammal
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.

State Champion Large Waterfowl
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.

State Champion Lg Game Head
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.

State Champion Pedestal Fish
A Plaque presented to the highest scoring pedestal fish in the masters division. This 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 Judge’s Choice Best of Show.

State Champion Reproduction Fish
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.

State Champion Reptile
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.

State Champion Small Game Head
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.

State Champion Small Mammal
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.

State Champion Small Waterfowl
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.

State Champion Turkey
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.

State Champion Upland Game Bird
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.

State Champion Whitetail
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.

Specialty Ribbons
Arts & Crafts
A ribbon presented to the entry with the most taxidermists votes. Opt-in during registration.

Best Collective Artist
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

Best Habitat & Diorama
A plaque presented to the entry the judges feel is the best habitat and diorama.

Best Out of State Entry
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.

Celebrity’s Choice
An orange/white ribbon presented to the entry that is picked out by a local celebrity. Any entry is eligible.

DNR Choice
Chosen by a local DNR Conservation Officer.

Ladies Choice
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.

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

Specialty Plaques
These specialty plaques are fully donated by the company listed.

ALS Awareness Award
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
Avian challenge award. 2024 chosen bird is any teal. Any pose you want. Winner not based on score or division. Bird judge picks his favorite one. Winner will pick the bird species for 2024 show. Should be a bird that is easily attainable for most.

Best Bear
Best Bear award. Judges Choice best bear. Open to all divisions.

Best Elk
sponsored by the Minnesota Chapters of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Judges Choice Award for best elk. open to all divisions.

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

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

Commercial Division
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.

Ichthy Award
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 open mouth” The fish judge will decide which fish best demonstrates the challenge, regardless of the division entered. The winner will decide what the challenge will be for next year and will be unable to compete for the award the following year.

Judge’s Choice Best of Show
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.

Kids Choice Award
Given to the piece with the most votes by all the kids attending the show. All pieces are eligible.

People’s Service Award
This plaque is chosen by a government officer to the mount they feels is best. Any entry is eligible.

McKenzie Distinguished Service Award
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.

Pheasant choice award
Sponsors choice favorite pheasant mount. Open to any division. Winner chosen by Clay County Pheasants Forever.

Polytranspar Award
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.

PRO-1 AWARD (Professional and Masters each get an award)
This is a Judges Choice for the best mount using PRO-1 Hide Paste and/or PRO-1 Tans Opt-in during registration.

Species Challenge
This is a Judges Choice for the best mount entered into the Species Challenge. The 2024 species challenge is any bear. The winner will choose the 2025 species. Opt-in during registration Opt-in during registration.

USSA Award
This is a special award chosen by the USSA family! Any entry is eligible!

Walnut Creek Hardwood Endearing Award
This award will be chosen by a Walnut Creek Representative (if attending show) or Judges, from a feminine point of view, “What would a woman 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.

Minnesota School of Taxidermy Award
A plaque given to the mount chosen by the Minnesota School of Taxidermy.

Runner Up Best of Show Award
Donated by Ledford Tannery. This award is presented to the runner up for best in show.