Although this year's edition of Buck of the Season may not have had as many entries as 2010, the quality of the animals brought in was something to brag about.
The Ashmont Agriplex was filled with hunters and their supporters on Saturday. By 3 p.m. it was obvious people were getting anxious to hear this season's top winners. After all the measuring was done and calculations complete, six winners were awarded some rather lucrative prizes.
Three rows of tables were filled with antlers proudly put on display. This year's event took in a total of 54 entries, compared to last year's 74.
The number of entries varies year by year, said one of the event's head organizers, Bryan Bespalko. He said he heard from a number of hunters that “the deer just weren't moving . . . until late in the season."
“Overall, it was a pretty decent year," for hunters, which was made obvious by the size of this year's winners. Bespalko noticed a lot of the big deer were shot by youth, which is good to see.
“There was a lot more (youth) girls," said Bespalko, adding, it's nice to see the girls getting involved in the sport typically dominated by men.
This season marks the 30th anniversary for Buck of the Season in Ashmont. Each year, hunters come from near and far to compete for prizes that range from guns to binoculars to knives.
The event is put on entirely by volunteers from the Ashmont Ag. Society, with help from local sponsors.
Winners from this year's
Buck of the Season:
Youth – Gregory Huk – 181 1/8"
Ladies – Brooke Tremblay – 186 4/8"
White Tail Typical – Trevor Pilipchuk – 181 6/8"
White Tail Non Typical – Rob Senecal – 211 7/8"
Mule Typical – Joe Tremblay – 187 6/8"
Mule Non Typical – Jeremy Ewanishan – 201 4/8"
