The Busby Fish & Game Association’s seventh annual Antler Scoring and Trade Show on Saturday at the Westlock Memorial Hall was a “complete success,” with more than 30 antlers from various animals being measured and scored.
Brian Yagos, membership chair of the association, said they had a really good turnout at the antler scoring event, with more than 100 people turning out to the hall.
Yagos said they had a few more antlers — perhaps 10 per cent — than they had last year, which was quite a slow year for hunting.
“We seen a lot more larger animals, like the elk antlers. Last year, I think we had only one set; this year, I think we had five or six sets.”
He noted they also had three sets of good calibre moose antlers.
Yagos said this is association’s biggest fundraiser of the year, adding that it is held at roughly the same time yearly.
The all-day event featured multiple booths set up with local businesses selling outdoor gear and ATVs, along with a silent auction, raffles and door prizes.
Yagos said they try to bring in something different with each trade show. This year, they had an Edmonton-based jewelry-maker selling necklaces and other items.
“It seemed like it went over quite well, especially just before Valentine’s Day,” Yagos said.
Hunters brought in sets of antlers from the most recent harvest in order to win a variety of prizes, such as a crossbow.
Denis Labunte won the top prize in the whitetail category with a set of antlers that brought in a score of 154 6/8.
Kevin From took the white tail non typical category with an entry that scored 148 4/8.
Les Farrants topped the moose category with a set of antlers that scored a total of 144 3/8.
Sara Farrants also won the ladies whitetail category with a set of antlers that brought in a score of 168 4/8.
Andy Udchic of Flatbush had a set of elk antlers that scored 314 6/8. Udchic said he brought down the elk with a bow on Oct. 22.
Miranda McLeod topped the youth whitetail category with a set of antlers that scored 136 1/8.
Greg Schmidt won the mule deer category with a set of antlers measuring 151 5/8.
