The 2nd Annual Bowie Outfitters Bag A Buck contest provided a glimpse into Louisiana’s big-buck potential, the former head state deer biologist said.
“I think it indicates that (Louisiana) deer are getting older,” Dave Moreland said. “We now have a three-buck limit, and here we are in the third year and we’re seeing good results.”
To see many of the deer entered in the contest, visit the dedicated Bowie Outfitters Bag A Buck contest page.
Moreland said the contest, which was based on official Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young scoring, produced 10 Louisiana Big Game Recognition Program bucks along with 11 Pope & Young deer, two Boone & Crockett animals and six Mississippi Magnolia Record deer.
Although the contest was relatively small, Moreland said he has watched as deer entered into contests steadily grow.
“You used to see a lot of 120s and 130s, and now it’s all 140s and 150s,” he explained. “It’s up to the next level.”
Bowie Outfitters Manager Davie Reynerson said the contest really provides great anecdotal evidence that Moreland is correct.
“This contest was really just our customers,” Reynerson said. “If just Bowie Outfitters Customers turn in this number of good bucks, what’s going on elsewhere?
“It takes a contest like this to make you realize what’s going on.”
Category winners, deer scores and parishes in which they were killed were:
• Men’s Louisiana Gun – Jeremy Horner of Erwinville, 180 5/8 B&C (typical), west Baton Rouge Parish
• Louisiana Women’s – Holden’s Lindy Gill, 151 2/8 B&C (typical), Concordia Parish
• Louisiana Bow – James Byron, 142 6/8 Pope & Young (typical), Avoyelles Parish
• Louisiana Youth – Lafayette’s Jacques Dugas, 157 6/8 B&C (typical), Avoyelles Parish
• Out of State – Baton Rouge’s Kenneth Bergeron, 163 3/8 P&Y (typical), Kansas
At the end of the contest, a drawing also was held to give away a mini truck. Jackson’s Kathy Wilkinson won that draw, and said she expected it all along.
“I said I was going to win the mini truck, and I did,” Wilkinson laughed. “It’s awesome: My birthday is Wednesday.”
