2013 Louisiana Sportsman Big Buck Contest planning under way

Contest to be held in conjunction with Louisiana Sportsman Show at Lamar Dixon; Yamaha Grizzly 350 up for grabs.

Andy Crawford

The 2013 Louisiana Sportsman Big Buck Contest will include eight categories, and every entry will be eligible for a random drawing for a Yamaha Grizzly 350.

Plans are already in the works for the 2013 edition of the Louisiana Sportsman Big Buck Contest, which is slated for March 15-17 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.

In addition to category prizes, all deer entered in the contest — no matter how big or small — will be included in a random drawing for a Yamaha 350 Grizzly.

And this year, scorers with Mississippi's Magnolia Records will be on hand looking for big bucks from that state to add to the record books.

There will be eight categories:

• Best Louisiana Gun
• Best Louisiana Bow
• Best Mississippi Gun
• Best Mississippi Bow
• Best Out-of-State Gun
• Best Out-of-State Bow
• Youth
• Muzzleloader/Crossbow

Since the contest occurs so soon after the deer season, many hunters might have to retrieve the horns from their taxidermists before the event, and that should't ever be a problem. Taxidermists don't typically install the antlers until very late in the mounting process.

All deer will receive Boone & Crockett scores. Of course, only those past the mandatory 60-day drying period will receive final scores.

All bucks killed during the 2012-13 season are eligible for entry. Additionally, bucks killed during the 2011-12 season that have not been officially scored also are eligible. Any deer entered into last year's contest that did not receive official scores can be brought to the show for official scoring, but are ineligible for any contest prizes.

In addition, bucks killed during prior seasons may be brought in for scoring and display, but they are not eligible for contest prizes.

All entries will be displayed on the Big Buck Contest wall until winners are announced on March 17.

Click here for full contest rules.