2022 Gun Season Big Buck Contest

We can’t wait any longer, it is time to get the ball rolling. 

The Dude has been mostly absent lately, dealing with life. He also got adopted by a stray cat from what I read awhile back, and is putting an addition on his house to make room for said cat. I ran this once some years ago after Shedhunter went MIA with Bold n Beautiful (per lake link rumor mill), and before Dude took it over, so I am qualified. 

All entry fees should be submitted c/o Bassmaster. Once a winner is declared he will cut the check. 

Bass and Skihog also have their own two-man contest. Winner gets an unopened bottle of bourbon of their choice, courtesy of the loser. 

Same rules as always, scoring details are in the screen shot. If you don’t declare your admission by shooting time on 11-19–22, you are not eligible. This is for the 9 day rifle hunt only, and does not extend into the muzzleloader season. 

I am in. 

Good luck to all, and be safe! 

My son got his first ever deer Saturday morning.  Just over 150 yards and he made a perfect shot.  Didn’t measure the spread on this 3 pt.  But wanted to share because I’m proud as hell at his first kill.  Deer went 10 yards after the shot.

Shot this buck at 7:05am Sunday morning. Saw 36 antlerless deer and a small spike that my neighbor shot on opening day thinking it was a doe. 9 points, 17" wide. One of my best friends flew home from Colorado to hunt and shot this giant 9 pointer last night. It was 20.5" wide and had 25.5" main beams! He's obviously not in the contest, but thought I'd share it with you guys and gals...

My grandson Lucas got this one yesterday morning. He came sneaking across the marsh not long after first light. Dropped him with the ole 30.06 Remington 742 @ 150 yards. The 10 point had a 19 1/8” spread.  

Congrats Hockeyguy and Northern Pike!! Both great bucks!

I had a fun hunt on Saturday afternoon, after sitting in a stand for the morning and getting whipped by the wind, I decided it was time to climb down and do some still hunting and use the wind to my advantage as opposed to my demise.  Went to a new area with my father and had him drop me off about a mile from where he wanted to hunt with the plan to still hunt my way to the truck.  There were plenty of trucks parked in the beginning of the trail in the flatter country, which was also heavy with oaks and pawed up sign from deer digging for acorns.  I pressed on into the steeper terrain and quickly lost all human sign, which uncoincidentally led to deer sightings almost immediately.  I still hunted the steep rocky ridges, carefully circling downwind and popping up over the side hill ridges and watching down below.  The 12th deer I saw was a decent buck bedded up with a doe just below a small thick patch of brush near the top of the ridge.  I was trying to decide if I wanted to shoot or not when the doe got up and took off, followed by the buck.  It was game on!  I followed them in my scope through the brush to a small opening where they jumped a blowdown.  I was able to make a good shot and dropped him right over the fallen tree.  Got to enjoy a snowy drag with my dad which is always fun.  

Northern Forest Unit, Public Land, Oconto County. Cheers to the hunt!

I'll go second! My quest for a buck ended less than an hour into the season. 10 points (11 if you count the stubby at the base of right antler. I was able to hang my ring on it lol), 18 3/4" spread.

First shooter buck I've even seen in 9 years, coincidentally my last buck. 7:05 opening day. Southern Brown. I know the time because my brother in law sent me the pic of it passing his camera probably 30 seconds before I shot. Pretty wild! Probably a good thing he was 200+ away and not up close lol

Okay I’ll be first.    10 1/2” spread , 6 total points.      Marinette County 10:30 .  Happened fast in cedar swamp pestering a doe , 75 yards.  Was surprised when I walked up on him and a stub antler was sticking up!  At first I thought I had shot an antler off.  Good year for me , bowkill buck and riflekill buck 9 days apart .  “We got the meat”! 

Guess I’ll be in. price is right. Marquette county private. Grandson too. Bill. McCartney 

I’m in. Maybe I’ll get lucky and surpass my usual score of 8. 

I’m in as well as my grandson, C. Good luck to all

Count me as registered and my entry fee has been submitted to PayPal. In this highly competitive contest I have no choice other to hold out for that monster that has avoided my 7 cameras over the last 5 years. If he isn’t dead of old age by now he should be a winner if I can get a bullet in him. Stay warm fellow hunters and good luck.   And include my little hunting buddy, grandson Lucas. I get much more enjoyment seeing the excitement and smiles when he knocks his buck down.  

Holy crap a world record participation. Those of you in charge remember some signed up on the 2021 contest for this yr. Dude please help be a judge. 

In. I will enter my son as well. He might be able to get leave to hunt, not sure yet.

I'll play! hopefully get to see some horns this year. bow was dismal.

I'm in! A couple really nice ones in the area. Hope they look both ways before crossing the road unlike the monster who got hit two nights before opener last year lol. 

I am in too! Good luck to all!