Mark Hernandez - WhitetailsM

My name is Mark Hernandez, and I reside in San Antonio, Texas with my wife, Marci, and our two sons, Carson and Jaxson. My interest in taxidermy started at the young age of 7 years old after several years of hunting and fishing with my Father. My career in the taxidermy industry started while I was in high school about 18 years ago, sweeping floors and prepping skins - all the while learning and soaking up as much knowledge as I could, which eventually led me to where I am today, working in one of South Texas’ most premiere studios. I specialize in Whitetail deer, game heads, and waterfowl. As a judge for this competition the most important thing for me is educating and sharing my techniques and knowledge to hopefully help you for your future successes. I look forward to meeting everyone and seeing the familiar faces for this upcoming show.

Tim Perkins - Fish/Reptiles

First I’d like to thank the Missouri Taxidermy Association for asking me to judge. I along with my beautiful wife Edna and our four dogs live in Bloomer Wisconsin, the jump rope capital of the world.
I started dabbling in taxidermy way back in 1979. In 1988 I took some lessons from another taxidermist, joined the WTA and never looked back. Over the years I’ve won many state titles mostly with fish but also a couple with birds and deer heads. I was also awarded North America champion for fish back in 2007 (I think or maybe 2008). I’m looking forward to meeting all of you. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the Missouri show. See you in August!

 Mike Nakielski - Birds

Mike Nakielski, taxidermist and judge, first became immersed in the art of taxidermy at age 10, when his father helped him mount a goose. Since then, his passion for both hunting and taxidermy grew, and so did his dedication for sharing his talent with others, including taxidermists newer to the field. Mike has carried his father’s original establishment forward into what is now known as Pro Taxidermy—a business rooted in tradition, precision, and a deep respect for the outdoors.

Over the years, his work has been recognized at the highest levels in the industry. Mike first started competing in 1995 at age 14 and has competed every year since then. He has received multiple honors such as State, National, International, and World titles. He is also a sculptor for Ohio Taxidermy Supply. These acknowledgments reflect not just his skill, but his lifelong dedication to the craft. Mike is especially well-known for his bird mounts, where attention to detail, lifelike presentation, and artistic composition set his work apart.

Today, Pro Taxidermy operates from his home in Iron Ridge, Wisconsin, where Mike lives with his wife, Jen, and two children, Michael and Jocelyn.

Clay Wagner - Mammals/Gameheads 

I live in a small community in south central Texas, I’ve been involved in taxidermy for over 30 years, mounting animals from all over the world. I’ve also managed an exotic game ranch, and feeding and doctoring exotics allows you to study them up close and alive. Some of my achievements in the competition room are 2nd in the world lifesize mammals, National champion game head, Multiple Texas State champion in whitetail deer, game head, large and small lifesize. My seminar will be hands on sculpting a bobcat head, going over the steps of death casts, carcass casting and applying clay and mold making. This seminar will apply to all game heads and show you how simple it is to do this yourself!