The WASCO Most Artistic Entry Award is presented to the most artistic piece in a taxidermy competition. The winner is chosen collectively by all of the judges from the entire competition. WASCO Award winners receive a polished acrylic award and a gift certificate from WASCO (Wildlife Artist Supply Company). The following taxidermists have been recognized by their peers for their innovation, skill, artistic talent and high quality. Clicking on entries with underlined links will display a photograph of the winning entry.

Bill Paulus, Social Circle, GA Raccoon, Rattlesnake & Alligator
February 1, 1997, Georgia Taxidermist Association (Winter Show)

Bill Booth, Bradenton, FL Whitetail Deer
February 1, 1997, Florida State Taxidermy Association

Duwayne Gilbert, Sandy, OR European Widgeon Male Hybrid
February 7, Northwest Taxidermist Association

Janice Oenbring, Lincoln, NE Peacock
February 15, Nebraska State Taxidermist Association

John Cranford, Greensboro, NC Dolphin Splash Scene
February 22, North Carolina Taxidermists Association

Andy Hajek, Brighton, CO Mandarin Ducks
February 23, Colorado Taxidermist Association, Inc.

Mike Orthober, Egg Harbor, WI Ruffed Grouse
February 28, Wisconsin Taxidermist Association

Cary Cochran, Millersburg, OH Hunters with Turkey
March 1, National Wild Turkey Federation

Carmen Helmer, DuQuoin, IL Bird Group
March 1, Illinois Taxidermist Association

Earl Fox, Severn, MD Black Duck
March 1, Virginia Taxidermists Association

Bruce Owens, St. Charles, MO Ross's Goose
March 1, Missouri Taxidermist Association

Robert L. Euvino, Lake Ariel, PA Python Skeleton
March 8, Pennsylvania Taxidermists Association

Chris Crueger, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO Prairie Dogs
March 8, New Mexico Taxidermists Association

Ron Cox, Casey, IL Albino Whitetail
March 9, Association of Indiana Taxidermists

Richard Carter, Salem, UT Coyote
March 15, Utah Taxidermy Association

Velma Smith, Calhoun, KY Canada Goose
March 15, Southern Regional Taxidermists

Rod Tennant, Bellefontaine, OH Pedestal Whitetail
March 15, Ohio Association of Taxidermists

Bill Booth, Bradenton, FL Whitetail Deer
March 15, South Carolina Association of Taxidermists

Curt Weiss, Muscatine, IA Pheasant Snow Scene
March 22, Iowa Taxidermist Association

Bill Cooke, Sparks, NV Brook Trout
March 22, California Association of Taxidermists

Terry Weick, Hopkins, MI Steelhead
March 22, Michigan Taxidermist Association

Mark Nagy, Bellevern, PA Owl
March 23, Professional Taxidermists of Ohio

Todd Proudlove, Enfield, ME Fox
March 30, Maine Association of Taxidermists

Howard G. James, Shenandoah Jct., WV Deer Head, Grouse, Squirrel & Trout Combo
April 12, West Virginia Taxidermy Association

Pete Lajoie, Cuttingsville, VT Sleeping Deer
April 12, New York State Taxidermy Association

Henry Inchumuk, Prescott, AZ Squirrel in Case
April 19, Arizona Taxidermy Artists Association

Bob Coughlin, Binghamton, NY Black Buck
April 19, Empire State Taxidermists Association

Lee Grimes, Coon Rapids, MN Lynx
April 19 Minnesota Taxidermy Guild

Daniel Callan, Ingleside, ON Fox Pup and Skunk
April 20, Canadian Taxidermists Association

Dennis Smith, Stanfield, NC Lifesize Caribou
April 25, Piedmont Mini Course

Joe Dosch, Anamoose, MD Whitetail Deer
April 26, North Dakota Taxidermists Association

Pete Lajoie, Cuttingsville, VT Sleeping Deer
May 3, Connecticut Association of Taxidermists

Dustin Cargal, Gillette, WY Whitetail
May 17, Wyoming Association of Taxidermy Artists

Nicky Bonura, Loranger, LA Otters
May 24, Louisiana Taxidermist Association

Ben Haden, Cleburne, TX Whitetail Deer Pedestal
June 14, Texas Taxidermy Association

Shane Smith, Bridgeport, AL Purple Gallinules
June 14, Alabama Taxidermist Association

Lanny Weldon, Dover, DE Pintail Drake
June 21, Delaware Taxidermist Association

Karen Stanford, Rogers, AR Bobcat Head Mount
June 21, Kansas Association of Taxidermists

Kevin Neitzel, Arendtsville, PA Hyena
June 28, National Taxidermists Association

Mike Vernelson, Mulino, OR King Eiders
June 28, Oregon Association of Taxidermists

Cindi Christman, St. Jermaine, WI Coyote Shoulder Mount
July 12, International Guild of Taxidermy

Scott Hodges, Macon, GA Oldsquaws
July 12, Georgia Taxidermy Association Summer Show

Brad Pharr, Denton, TX Shoveler
July 18, Oklahoma Taxidermist Association

Larry Jensen, Lewistown, MT Coyote
July 19, Montana Taxidermists Association

John Cranford, Greensboro, NC Dolphin Fish
August 2, North Carolina Taxidermists Association

Mark Nagy, Bellevern, PA Red Tail Hawk
August 2, Eastern Regional Taxidermy Convention

John Sulko, Calgary, AB Three Deer
August 2, International Taxidermy Competition

Gerry Wethington, Casey Creek, KY Fox Squirrel
August 9, Kentucky Taxidermists Association

Darren Murphy, Benton, AR Bird Group
August 9, Arkansas Taxidermist Association

Pete Lajoie, Cuttingsville, VT Whitetail
August 23, Northeast Wildlife Art Show

Tommy Armstrong, Ethel, MS Whitetail
August 23, Mississippi State Taxidermy Association

Wes Potter, Tabernacle, NJ Pair of Common Eiders
August 23, Garden State Taxidermist Association

Ernie Akins, Williamsburg KY Wild Turkey
September 20, Tennessee Taxidermist Association

Jim Hunsaker Whitetail Headmount
September 28, Midwest Taxidermy Classic

For all kinds of information about taxidermy, including hundreds of links to taxidermists, suppliers, schools, workshops, publications, associations, and conventions, check out the Taxidermy Net!