Hunters from all across Alberta will convene in Westlock on Jan. 29, 2011 for the Busby & District Fish and Game Association’s third annual Antler and Horn Scoring.
The event is related to the fall hunting season, said association member Brian Yagos.
“We like showing off our horns and our harvest by having these shows,” he said. “Everyone brings their horns in and gets them measured and wins prizes.”
For those who are unfamiliar with the terminology, he said horns remain attached to the animal as it grows, while antlers will grow for a season before falling off and growing again the next year.
Anyone who is a registered and licensed hunter is welcome to bring in their specimens, he said, so long as they’re clean and “not rotting with the head and blood dripping and everything all over the place.”
All specimens at the show must have been obtained following the Boone and Crockett ‘fair chase’ rules, which means the animal was captured or shot legally.
Boone and Crockett is a renowned organization whose mandate is “to promote the guardianship and provident management of big game and associated wildlife in North America,” according to the Boone and Crockett website.
In addition, Boone and Crockett-approved measurers will be on hand to measure the specimens brought in. Those specimens that score high enough will be eligible for entry in the Boone and Crockett record book, Yagos said.
There are six categories in which specimens will be evaluated: white-tail deer, mule deer, moose, elk, children/youth and ladies. However, all participants will be entered into a draw for the grand prize, no matter the size or quality of their specimen.
Furthermore, there will be many door prizes available to everyone who brings in a specimen.
Beyond a chance for hunters to show off their trophies, the show also serves as a trade show and a fundraiser for the association.
In the past, Yagos said many businesses have bought tables to show off their products. These have included ATV retailers, sports fishers, paintings and trailers. For this year, the association is hoping to have a taxidermist present.
As a fundraiser, the show has been one of a series, but Yagos hopes that will change this year.
“We’re going to see if we can get away with just this one and see if we can get enough revenue out of it that we don’t have to have a second one,” he said, adding other fundraisers in the past have included brag nights and fun poker nights.
The local community has been very supportive of the show since it started. He said area businesses have helped by providing gifts and prizes.
“It’s quite remarkable how the town really stands behind the non-profit organizations and helps them out,” he said.
A prime example of this is the grand prize, a rifle costing nearly $700. Other prizes have included a tent blind, binoculars and a gift card towards the cost of mounting a trophy.
The show is scheduled for Saturday Jan. 29 at the Memorial Hall. Doors open at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Brian Yagos at 780-349-6034 or George Lecky at 780-995-1795.
