VERMONT BIG GAME TROPHY CLUB

Vermont Big Game Trophy Club

Presents the

2010 Vermont Taxidermy Classic

 



To See Photos Click Here

Awards List - Click Here

The Vermont Big Game Trophy Club hosted the 2010 VBGTC Vermont Taxidermy Classic in Montpelier, Vermont on June 25-26, 2010. This taxidermy competition was the first of its kind held in Vermont in over 10 years.

The VBGTC teamed up with renowned Vermont taxidermist and former *North American Champion Pete Lajoie, retired Master Taxidermist Mike Adams, and veteran Competitive Taxidermist Butch Bragg to put together a comprehensive competition that featured examples from some of the top taxidermists and wildlife artists in the Northeastern United States.

This event consisted of two divisions: Open, which was judged to the highest standards of taxidermy, and Commercial which was for taxidermists with little to no competition experience and can best be described as an accurate example of the quality of work provided to each and every customer.

The competition kicked off Friday, June 25 with competitors dropping off and registering mounts for judging. Several educational seminars were held throughout the day for taxidermists. Judging began at 5:00 pm. and continued until each piece had been judged and all trophies and ribbons have been awarded.

On Saturday, all of the mounted competition pieces were available for public viewing as a trophy show, along with dozens of the largest deer, bear and moose ever harvested in Vermont. Included were several current state record trophies. The competing taxidermists and artists were on hand to answer questions about their mounts and how they went about creating them.

This one of a kind event culminated Saturday evening with the 2010 VBGTC Big Game Awards Banquet honoring the largest big game animals taken in Vermont during the 2009 seasons.  There were thousands of dollars worth of door prizes, raffles, a live auction and many guns to win.  Individual sponsorships were also available.

All proceeds benefited the VBGTC Inc.

JUDGES 

*Pete Lajoie:  Pete Lajoie lives in Shrewsbury, Vermont where he has owned and operated Gameheads Ltd. Taxidermy Studio from 1987 to present.  Pete began competing in 1993 at the urging of renowned retired Vermont taxidermist Mike Adams of Stowe.  Pete first competed at state shows in New York and Connecticut and then nationals in Spokane, WA., Springfield, Mo., Buffalo, NY. and Billings, MT.  as well as the World Show. Pete’s taxidermy skills have earned him many accolades in state nationals as well as the world’s, some of these awards include 4 WASCO awards,  29 Best of Category, 2 Overall Best of Show,  Second in the World (gameheads) and the North American Champion/Joseph Bruchac Award.  Pete has judged state and national shows from Oklahoma to Maine including nationals in Lubbock, Texas and the Canadian Nationals in Ontario.   

Pete’s taxidermy seminars are legendary.

*Michael Adams - Mike presently lives in Morgan, Vermont. For many years he owned and operated Wildlife Taxidermy is Moscow, Vermont. Eventually, he started teaching taxidermy. Throughout the years Mike won numerous ribbons and trophies. He won Best Whitetail at the National Taxidermy Competition and the Award of Excellence. Mike judged state shows in Connecticut, Maine, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa plus the Nationals in Iowa. Mike is presently retired from taxidermy due to health problems.

*Fred Barilla - Fred owns and operates Wild Memories Taxidermy in Carle Place, New York.  Fred is the former President and current Vice President for the New England Association of Taxidermists.  He has been involved in competitive taxidermy for over 10 years and has captured numerous blue ribbons, WASCO Awards, Best of Category and Best of Show honors at various State and National Taxidermy competitions.  Fred has earned his Award of Excellence from the National Taxidermists Association (NTA) and is widely recognized for his skills in incorporating Artistic Composition and Design in his taxidermy pieces.

*Mark Vitch - Mark has been a full time taxidermist for 23 years and currently owns and operates a studio in Schoharie, NY.  Mark has been giving seminars and judging
since 1994 and has won Best of Category and Best of Show for birds, fish, deer
and gameheads.   Mark has judged shows in Quebec, NY, NJ and New England.

Judges

Whitetail Head: Pete Lajoie, Mike Adams

Game Heads: Pete Lajoie, Mike Adams

Waterfowl: Fred Barilla

Upland Birds/Turkey: Fred Barilla

Fish: Mark Vitch

Lifesize Big Game: Pete Lajoie, Mike Adams

Lifesize Small Game: Fred Barilla, Mark Vitch

Wildlife Art: Mark Moody

• 1^stplace 90-100 (blue)
• 2^ndplace 80-89 (red)
• 3^rd place 70-79 (yellow)

Breakthrough Award- Overall Best of Show

Best of Show:

• Open, Commercial
• Whitetail
• Gamehead (other)
• Waterfowl
• Upland Game Bird/Turkey
• Fish
• Lifesize Big Game
• Lifesize Small Game

WASCO Award- Awarded to the most artistic piece.

People’s Choice Award- Selected by all paying attendees of Taxidermy Show and Awards Banquet .

Taxidermist’s Choice Award- Selected by all Taxidermists registered with the 2010 VBGTC Vermont Taxidermy Classic. - Sponsored by the New England Association of Taxidermists

Most Outstanding Bear  - Sponsored by the Vermont Bearhound Association

Most Outstanding Turkey - Sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation

Most Outstanding Furbearer - Sponsored by the Vermont Trappers Association

Best Brook Trout - Sponsored by the Vt. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Group

Polytranspar Fish Award - Sponsored by WASCO

Van Dyke's - Most original - Sponsored by McKenzie

Individually sponsored awards were given to specific mounts. These awards consisted of a plaque with sponsors name and the name of the award.  These awards were determined by the judges unless otherwise specified by the award sponsor.

Registration

Registration fee is $50.00 per taxidermist/artist. This will included: 1 Banquet ticket, admission to all taxidermy seminars and contact information listing on VBGTC website for 1 year. Additional advertising on the VBGTC website can be purchased for $75.00 per year for VBGTC registered taxidermists and artists.

DOWNLOAD ABOVE GENERAL INFORMATION - CLICK HERE

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM - CLICK HERE

DOWNLOAD AWARDS LIST - CLICK HERE