2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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The 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships gathered some 1,000 purveyors of the art of bringing the dead back to life at the Springfield Expo Center this week through Saturday. On the line is the most prestigious award a serious taxidermist can claim: A world title. The taxidermist are competing for cash prizes and titles. 
Taxidermy animals on display for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Ashley Barrett, from Chambersburg, Pa., grooms the mountain lion he prepared before it is photographed and submitted for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Ashley Barrett, Chambersburg, Pa., grooms the fur on a mountain lion mount for a photo shoot before it’s entered for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Autumn Fye, from Carmen, Idaho sits with her fiancee Ben Fahnholz’s family entries for 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Fahnholz family has operated Life-Like Taxidermy since 1985 and regularly enters their mounts in competitions. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermy judge Fred Vanderburgh, from Molina, Colo., uses a flashlight to examine the eye of a mounted bison during the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Judges examine every detail of the mounted animals including the fur, inside the ears and mouths, the appearance of the eyes, and bone structure. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Tim Gorenchan, from Escanaba, Mich. checks his mounted fish for defects before he has it photographed and submitted for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Tim Gorenchan, from Escanaba, Mich. checks his mounted fish for defects before he has it photographed and submitted for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A competitor places grass in the mouth of taxidermy example of a deer to prep the mount for a photo and judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Taxidermists use body positioning, facial expressions and props help the taxidermy animals tell a story. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Shelby Eppley, with Ohio Taxidermy Supply, walks through her company’s display of mount forms for sale at 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Skins of animals stretched over the forms by taxidermists to created the finished mounts. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
The fine detail of the spines or papillae on the tongue of a mountain lion can be seen on this mount entered for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. An open mouth mounted animal is attempted by only by the best taxidermist because of the complexity of realistically capturing the structure and details in the mouth. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A taxidermy example of a tiger waiting to be judged at the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermy animals are displayed for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A pair of taxidermy arctic foxes are put in front of a blue background to be photographed during the the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A mounted deer head with shedding velvet on his antlers that was entered for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Lorraine Zimmerman, from Martinsburg, Pa., takes notes as taxidermy judge Marcus Zimmerman examines a mount during the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Judges examine every detail of the mounted animals including the fur, inside the ears and mouths, the appearance of the eyes, and bone structure. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A fish that was entered for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A mountain lion that was entered for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermy judge Fred Vanderburgh (right), from Molina, Colo., examines the ears in mounted elk head during the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Judges examine every detail of the mounted animals including the fur, inside the ears and mouths, the appearance of the eyes, and bone structure. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermy animals on display for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A bear cub posed on a branch is displayed for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A animal form waiting to be sculpted during the live sculpting competition at 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Clay is molded on an animal skull during the live sculpting contest at 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A cuttlefish that was entered for for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A bird that was entered for for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Devin Amelunke puts the finishing touches on his entry before judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Devin Amelunke puts the finishing touches on his entry before judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A judge uses a flashlight to examine the details of a taxidermy entry in the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Jeremy Judkins, from Salt Lake City, puts the finishing touches on his entry before judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A taxidermist cleans dust particles out of the eye on a mounted deer head before judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Animal forms made of molded foam from HQ Taxidermy Supply in North Carolina wait to be put up for sale in the vendor area at the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Brad Patterson with HQ Taxidermy Supply in North Carolina, unpacks animal forms made of molded foam in the vendor area at the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A taxidermy entry waits to be unloaded from its trailer for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Dawne Stacks(left), from Eldon, Mo. carries away her taxidermy arctic foxes after they were photographed and submitted for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Rudy Eppley, with Ohio Taxidermy Supply, carries mold foam forms for sale at 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Skins of animals stretched over the forms by taxidermists to created the finished mounts. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Benjamin Fahnholz, from Carmen, Idaho puts the finishing touches on his entry before judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A taxidermist grooms the fur on a mountain lion mount before it is entered for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Daniel Meng, from North Dakota, unloads his entries from a trailer to have them photographed and submitted for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A coyote head and deer head mounted together are displayed for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermy judge Cary Cochran, from Millersburg, Ohio looks over entries during the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Judges examine every detail of the mounted animals including the fur, inside the ears and mouths, the appearance of the eyes, and bone structure. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermy judge Cary Cochran, from Millersburg, Ohio looks over entries during the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Judges examine every detail of the mounted animals including the fur, inside the ears and mouths, the appearance of the eyes, and bone structure. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermy judge Cary Cochran, from Millersburg, Ohio looks over entries during the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Judges examine every detail of the mounted animals including the fur, inside the ears and mouths, the appearance of the eyes, and bone structure. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Lance Johnson, from Hunter, N.D. uses tweezers to position individual feathers on a pheasant mount before he has it photographed and submitted for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Lance Johnson, from Hunter, N.D. uses tweezers to position individual feathers on a pheasant mount before he has it photographed and submitted for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Lance Johnson, from Hunter, N.D. uses tweezers to position individual feathers on a pheasant mount before he has it photographed and submitted for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Lance Johnson, from Hunter, N.D. examines the position individual feathers on a pheasant mount before he has it photographed and submitted for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermist Ashley Barrett, Chambersburg, Pa., grooms the fur on a mountain lion mount for a photo shoot before it’s entered for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Taxidermy judge Dawayne Dewey, from Cody, Wyo. looks over entries during the 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Judges examine every detail of the mounted animals including the fur, inside the ears and mouths, the appearance of the eyes, and bone structure. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A mountain lion that was entered for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
A mountain lion that was entered for for judging during 2019 World Taxidermy & Fish Carving Championships in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Some 1,000 taxidermists gathered in Springfield, Mo., for the most prestigious competition in the United States. Take a look into the wild world of taxidermy at the highest level.
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