Giant Diamond Island buck to receive official score this weekend
The Louisiana record for a gun-killed typical buck was set 74 long years ago by Don Broadway’s Madison Parish bruiser that measured a whopping 184 6/8 inches.
But they say records are made to be broken — and it could happen this weekend in Gonzales when Charlie Lusco’s massive Diamond Island 11-point is officially scored at the Louisiana Sportsman Show’s Big Buck Contest.
Lusco, of Kenner, shot the 5-year-old buck on Dec. 1 in Madison Parish, and it was green-scored by three different people last year at 185, 186 and 188 inches.
Now the 60-day drying period is over, so the tale of the tape at the Big Buck Contest will determine the deer’s spot in the Louisiana record books.
In December, its inside spread was measured at 21 ⅞ inches, with 6-inch bases and incredible mass out to the tips.
And all Sportsman Show attendees are in for a real treat — Lusco is scheduled to bring the giant deer’s full body mount to the Big Buck Contest at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales on Friday.
Blomquist Taxidermy in Hammond did the work on the mount.
Lusco and all adult entrants in the Big Buck Contest, which is sponsored by the Quality Deer Management Association South Louisiana Branch, will be eligible for a Yamaha ATV.
But Bowie Outfitters also is putting up a second grand-prize package: One lucky entrant will receive either a premium hunting rifle package or bow package — the winner gets to pick.
In addition, category winners will each receive $250 gift cards to Bowie Outfitters.
Deer may be dropped off beginning Friday, but must be entered no later than 6 p.m. on Saturday. Also, no deer will be accepted on Thursday, March 16.
It’s free to enter — just bring your unscored deer from the 2016-17 or 2015-16 seasons to the show.
Winners will be named in the following categories:
• Best Louisiana Gun
• Best Louisiana Bow
• Best Out-of-state Gun
• Best Out-of-state Bow
• Best Ladies
• Best Youth
• Best Muzzleloader/Crossbow
All deer will be scored by official Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young scorers. Of course, only those past the mandatory 60-day drying period will receive final scores.
Bucks entered in any previous Louisiana Sportsman Big Buck Contest are not eligible for the contest or the drawing.
Bucks killed in seasons before the 2015-16 hunting season can be entered for scoring, but are not eligible for contest prizes.
All entries will be displayed on the Big Buck Contest wall until the winners are announced Sunday afternoon.
Read the full rules here.
