2026 Convention Judges

– 2026 JUDGES –

CHAD HORST

Chad Horst

Waterfowl and Bird Judge

Hi my name is Chad Horst. I live in Richland Pennsylvania and I own and operate Feather Artistic’s taxidermy. Growing up I was always looking at birds and loved to take photos of them. Around 13 years old I started dabbling in taxidermy, over the next few years I had a few full time jobs and part time jobs until I had enough work to go into bird taxidermy full time. I been doing it as a business now for 5 years and have been very blessed. I give all the credit to the Lord who gave me this talent and created these beautiful birds. Ever since I started taxidermy I have been going to the Pa state show ,it has taught me so much and I made a lot of new friends. And that is one of the tips I would give to anyone – to join your local taxidermy association. What you put into something is what you will get out of it. Go to learn and make new friends, that’s what these shows are all about. I’ve competed at numerous state shows and world shows and they have been a huge part of my growth ,getting critiques by some of the best guys in the country and competing against them as well. I was able to achieve many goals and numerous awards along the way. Crazy to me that I am now being asked to be the judge of the 2026 taxidermy show. I’m honored and excited ,and at the same time don’t feel deserving of that title. However I’m really looking forward to meeting all of you and being able to share with you a little of what i learned over the years. Good luck and I look forward to seeing you all at the show.

Cody Gould

SMALL MAMMAL Judge

My name is Cody Gould, I grew up in a small town in Northern Maine. Ive always enjoyed wildlife, the outdoors, hunt and fishing, as well as art. Ever since i was about 10 years old i knew i wanted to be a taxidermist. I graduated high school in 2015 and that fall went to the Pennsylvania Institute of Taxidermy and finished up in the spring of 2016 in which i immediately started up my business, Crown of Maine Taxidermy. I started competing at the New England Taxidermy Competition in 2022 with small game. I was fortunate enough to have won Grand Champion Mammal 4x, Wasco, and Breakthrough 3x as well as other awards. Most of all I learn so much from not only the judges but also my peers. I thoroughly enjoy competing because i get to meet so many great people and create amazing friendships. I am so honored to have been asked to judge your show and i truly hope that every one has an open mind and asks lots of questions. I look forward to meeting new people and to share what i have learned. PA is so full of talent and i know i will learn a lot from you all as well.

Mike Vernelson

Habitat Judge

Mike Vernelson began full time habitat construction and large scale themed environments in 1998 after doing bird taxidermy full time. He also worked 3 years in a bronze foundry as a mold maker to round out his fabrication skills. Mike has been the lead innovator for many of the processes and tecniques used around the country to capture the true look of nature. He, his wife and 3 daughters live in the mountains of Upstate NY

Alexis Howe

Art Judge

My name is Alexis Howe. I’ve basically been an artist as long as i can remember. I took extra art classes in elementary school, and created new art classes in high school because i studied in all of the existing ones. I went to the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design in Lancaster, PA and received my bachelor’s degree (BFA) in Illustration and minor in Art History. Though my education didn’t stop there. I took a variety of free choice classes, and dabbled in a little bit of everything. My main mediums include charcoal, graphite, and graphic design. But my mediums extend into painting, mural work, sculpture, photography, and most recently, taxidermy. A handful of my work has been featured in exhibitions in Lancaster, as well as Pennsylvania and Ohio Taxidermy shows. I have won best wildlife photograph and flat art at multiple shows. My most recent award being Best in Show Wildlife Art at the Ohio Taxidermy Show in 2025.

Vince Spellane

Welcome the whitetail judge, Vince Spellane!

“Vince Spellane began practicing the art of taxidermy 35 years ago and have significantly refined my skills after discovering the Pennsylvania Taxidermy Association and attending my first convention almost 20 years ago. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to attend many state conventions across the country both as a judge and competitor, I have also attended and competed at the National level and attended and competed in many world shows. I have been blessed to have met so many wonderful people and been able to learn so much from my experience. I hope to share my knowledge and skills that I’ve learned over the years and give back to those competing at this year’s convention.”

We’re looking forward to having you judge!

Dean Schulte

Large Mammal

My Name is Dean Schulte and I have been involved with taxidermy since I was 12 years old. Originally I enrolled myself in the Northwestern School of Taxidermy mail order courses. These comprised of small books written in the 1930’s with vague black and white photos for instruction. I messed around with taxidermy until I was 17 then sidelined it until I was in my later 20’s. In 1993 I started my own business; High Uintahs Taxidermy Inc. (www.deansart.com) with an emphasis entirely on big game taxidermy. We do an even 50/50 mix of african to north american work. My competition career started in 1991 and I started judging in 2003. I have competed off and on since then with competition highlights of winning 2nd in the world large lifesize mammals in 2022 and best Masters of Masters at the worlds in 2024. I am greatly blessed by having 3 of my sons work with me, two of them; Stephen (20 years) and Dominic (10 years) as full time taxidermists and Carl part time doing basework. My taxidermist sons have made great accomplishments themselves in the competitive arena and I consider them my equal and even better them me in certain areas. I look forward to judging and sharing my knowledge with all participating parties at your competition and there is always some things I will learn in turn also. Thank you.

Jimmy Lawrence

Reptile & Fish

My name is Jimmy Lawrence. I am honored to be one of your judges. I started Taxidermy over 20yrs ago now! I own and operate Lawrence Taxidermy Studio in southwest Iowa, where I live with my girlfriend Dakotah, and our 3 boys, and dogs. They keep life busy and interesting, as I’m sure most can imagine.
I specialize in Fish Taxidermy, both replicas and skinmounts. A lot of those being custom molds and casts. I’ve dabbled in all areas of the trade in one aspect or another, Fish just has always been my calling. I’ve done state and world records from all over the country.
Although I don’t compete often anymore, I still attend shows and seminars. I think that’s a huge part of learning and being successful.
I’m looking forward to seeing some of you again, and some for the first time!