Big Rock's North American Taxidermy Championship
Graham, NC — Big Rock Sports, LLC announced that its 2016 North American Taxidermy Championship shattered attendance records for the fourth straight year. Taking place at the annual Big Rock Sports East Show in Raleigh, NC from January 7–10, the competition saw more than double the number of participating taxidermists and judged entries.
The fourth North American Taxidermy Championship offered four days of competition and seminars for taxidermists. Adding to the excitement this year, famous taxidermist and host of the History Channel's renowned series Mounted in Alaska, Russell Knight led a unique, Friday night question-and-answer session during which attendees had the opportunity to get expert advice on their most pressing taxidermy concerns. The entire North American Taxidermy Championship was coordinated by the team from Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply, a division of Big Rock Sports.
"This competition offers a great balance between experienced and beginner taxidermists. Every year, we are more and more impressed with the increasing number of larger, more elaborate displays, along with the skill and creativity of the competitors, as well as their dedication to such a challenging form of art," said Jeremy Morgan, Vice President of Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply.
Over $13,000 in cash, prizes and awards were given out. Legendary taxidermists, including Vic Heincker, Gene Smith and Brenda Duvall, led instructional seminars, and artwork was judged by a lineup of world-renowned artists. Cary Cochran, Manny Chavez, Jim Kimball and Terry Weick examined 112 mounts, from bear to duck, mountain lion, geese, boar, turtle and fish, among other wildlife.
Over 20 taxidermists took home individual awards, with Rodney Schreurs of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, scoring seven to lead all winners. For his stunning Opossum, Turtle, Chipmunk and Lamprey mounts, the seasoned artist won multiple championships; most importantly, his Chameleon mount was honored with the competition's top prize―Big Rock Sports Best of Show.
All entries were organized in five divisions: Youth, Amateur, Professional, Masters and Retailers' Choice.
Sponsors
The North American Taxidermy Championship was sponsored by Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply, Ruger, Remington Ammunition, Accusharp, D&L Custom House Broker, LLC, Barnett Crossbows and Badger Airbrush Company.
Competition Results:
Youth Division
Winner: Chandler Wyrick — Raccoon
Amateur Division
Winner: Paul Willis — Whitetail
Professional Division
Best Open Mouth Whitetail: Taylor Harrison
Best Closed Mouth Whitetail: Eric Knowles
Best Large Gamehead: Jake Rouse — Wild Boar
Best Small/Medium Life-size Mammal: Glen Jackson — Otter
Best Waterfowl: Eric Perry — Mallard
Best Non-waterfowl Bird: Eric Knowles — Wild Turkey
Best Reptile: Jessica Meeks — Turtle
Best Reproduction/Recreation: Daniel Nicholson — Swan Decoy
Best Skin Mount Fish: Paul Miller — Bass
Professional Best of Show: Eric Perry — Mallards
Masters Division
Skin Mount Fish Champion: Rodney Schreurs — Lamprey
Small/Medium Life-size Mammal Champion: Rodney Schreurs — Opossum
Large Gamehead Champion: Dennis Harris — Greater Kudu
Reptile Champion: Rodney Schreurs — Turtle
Reproduction/Recreation Champion: Rodney Schreurs — Chameleon
Mixed Group Champion: Rodney Schreurs — Chipmunk Family
Waterfowl Champion: Mark Benfield — Green Wing Teal
Big Rock Sports Best of Show: Rodney Schreurs — Chameleon
Retailers' Choice
(Voted by Big Rock Sports Customers)
1st Place: Dennis Harris — Mountain Lion attacking Elk
2nd Place: Dennis Harris — African Lioness
3rd Place: Martin Bess — Red Fox
Safari Club International Most Creative Gamehead: Justin Hinson — Wild Boar
Safari Club International Most Creative Life-size Animal: Rodney Schreurs — Opossum
United Taxidermist Association Artisan Award (Voted by Competitors): Paul Miller — Grey Fox
National Taxidermist Association, Taxidermist of the Year: Dennis Harris — Greater Kudu
Triple Threat Challenge
1st Place Professional: Eric Perry — Mallards
2nd Place Professional: Jake Rouse — Wild Boars
3rd Place Professional: Kale Hartman — Ringneck, Redhead, Bufflehead
1st Place Masters: Rodney Schreurs — Chameleon, Chipmunk Family, Opossum
2nd Place Masters: Dennis Harris — Greater and Lesser Kudu, Zebra Art
3rd Place Masters: Mark Benfield — Green Wing Teal, Pintail, Hooded Merganser
About Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply
Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply is the fastest growing taxidermy supplier in North America. In addition to the highest quality and most modern manikins in the industry, Head Quarters Taxidermy Supply offers accessories, including hide-tanning chemicals, modeling tools and glues, that are the preferred choice of thousands of taxidermists across the US and Canada. HQTaxidermy.com
About Big Rock Sports
The premier outdoor sporting goods distributor in North America, Big Rock Sports, LLC, is focused on supplying more than 15,000 retailers with the best products from over 1,200 manufacturers as well as the tools needed to navigate the complexity of today's marketplace. The company is strongly committed to protecting the rights of hunters, anglers and all outdoor enthusiasts. Big Rock Sports is a privately held company with a home office in Graham, NC. BigRockSports.com
