07/23/2026
Had an awesome week in Kentucky at Nationals!!! Very few people know that I push my limits for competition. I do things I don’t normally do with customer mounts. It’s my way of playing trial and error with my own pieces to learn how to not make the same mistakes with customer pieces.
The mink was the first critter I ever full carcass casted. I actually competed with it a couple years ago at a different competition. It didn’t do very well but I never got my critique…the main reason I took it. I dusted it off, cleaned the eyes and took it to Nationals. I was not at all shocked to not do better than a 3rd and I was so very happy over the critique I finally got. Learned so much off such a little critter!!!
The Catalina Goat was another critter to learn from, we obviously don’t have them in Wisconsin, lol. I bought the hide and horns from a friend in New Mexico cause they’re just such cool animals. I was happy pulling a 3rd with him and also got an awesome critique…learned so much!!!
The opossum was a fun project Jesse and I did together. Jesse did the metal work and I did the opossum, my first one. They’re a lot trickier than you’d think and I learned SO MUCH from a handful of taxidermists on how to do things easier/differently on the next one. Jesse and I received a third place trophy in the collective artist category with a score of 91 (which would be a blue ribbon if ribbons were given out in that category). So proud of us!!!
The Muskrat and Baby Coot that Hannah and I did just barely got beat out of the top 3 collective artist with a score of 90, still considered blue ribbon. Her and I had the best time working on that mount together and I again, learned so much!!
My main reason for competing is to learn and make myself better for my customers. There is no way I’d be where I am today without the state, national and world associations and the amazing people within them. I truly have the most awesome taxidermy family. Thank you to all of you that helped get me where I am today and continue to help me grow!
To my customers, I’m back to work and will contact you as soon as your mount is on the stand! Thank you for your continued support. 😊