Summer 2001
BEST IN WORLD WINNERS

Best All-Around Taxidermist

WALLEYE
MOUNTAIN GOAT
MOUNTAIN GOAT
PTARMIGAN

John Lager
Littleton,Colorado

John Lager of Littleton, Colorado, won his third consecutive Best All Around Taxidermist title at this year's NTA competition. He is now the only competitor to ever win this title for three times. The title is won with the highest total of points from entries in the categories of fish, birds, lifesize mammals and gameheads.

John's gamehead entry was a half-lifesize mountain goat. When John arrived at the show and realized that the rules would not allow this entry into the gameheads category, he knew he would have to do something if he wanted to compete for the Best All Around title. His best option was to remove the legs above the knees. (He also knew the legs would need to be put back on the mount after the competition for his customer.) Not surprisingly, he accomplished his goal in grand fashion.