Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 13.  The 2019 bass tournament schedule was discussed and approved.  A copy of the schedule is listed below.  All dates are TENTATIVE pending permit approval from lake authorities.  The Annual Awards Banquet has been scheduled for Saturday, March 2. 

In other news, all current officers were nominated for re-election in 2019.  Board members were also nominated.  Elections will be held at the January meeting.  Also discussed were rules determining how people can join the club.  Various proposals will be voted on at the January meeting.

Members that entered the club’s deer season contest are reminded to bring their deer antlers to the January meeting so they may be scored to determine winners.

December meeting 12-13-18

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 13.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.  Anyone wishing to join the club is invited to attend.

The main item on the agenda will be the discussion and approval of the 2019 Bass Tournament schedule.  Dates are voted on at this meeting so permits can be obtained from the lake authorities.  Also, the date for the Annual Awards Banquet will be voted on at this time as well as discussion on who will speak at the banquet.  Those wishing to have input on the bass tournament schedule or other items should attend.

Also on the agenda will be the nomination of the 2019 officers and board members.  Nominations are made at this meeting and voting will take place at the January meeting. As well as items mentioned above, I’m sure there will also be a few deer hunting stories exchanged.

END

Billy Latham, president

Pushmataha County Sportsman Club

Top Ten Tournament 9-15-18

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club ended the 2018 bass tournament schedule with their Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 15.  The tournament was held on Pine Creek Lake.  This tournament allows the top ten anglers in the club to compete against each other in the final tournament of the year.  The top ten anglers are, from number one to number 10, Judd Thomas, Kindel Holiman, Billy Latham, Terry Thurman, Ellis Silvey, Chuck Beck, Mike Burrage, Jon Tucker, Billy Hensley and Colby Chandler.  Forrest Cave, Randy Janoe, Eugene Hensley, Kaleb Hensley and Colton Fleming all qualified for wild card positions. Terry Thurman and Colby Chandler were unable to compete in the tournament due to prior engagements.

Billy Latham won the tournament with a stringer weight of 18.03 pounds. Billy also had a bass that weighed 4.82 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.  Ellis Silvey finished in second place with a stringer weight of 17.38 pounds.  Third place went to Eugene Hensley with a stringer weight of 15.96 pounds.  Randy Janoe placed fourth with 15.63 pounds.  Fifth place was won by Judd Thomas with a stringer weight of 13.37pounds.

Now that the bass tournament season has ended, members will turn their attention to the fall deer seasons.  Those wishing to enter the club’s deer season contest must do so before a season begins.  Entry fees are $10.00 per season and can be paid at Silvey’s Tax.

Hugo Lake 9-8-18

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their last regular season bass tournament of 2018 on Saturday, September 8.  The tournament was held on Hugo Lake.  Fifteen members participated in the event.

Anglers enjoyed cloudy skies, mild temperatures and light breezes throughout most of the day.  The lake level was slightly above normal with a water temperature in the upper seventies to the low eighties.  Most anglers reported that bass bite was slow.  Only two anglers were able to catch a six fish limit with everyone else having four or less keeper bass.

Terry Thurman won the tournament with a stringer weight of 13.14 pounds.  Judd Thomas placed second with a stringer weight of 11.82 pounds.  Forrest Cave finished in third place with a stringer weight of 7.25 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament weighed 4.09 pounds and was caught by Terry Thurman.

The club will hold its Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 15.  This tournament will pit the top ten anglers against each other with up to five wildcard positions also being allowed to compete.  Those qualifying for this year’s top ten tournament are Judd Thomas, Kindel Holiman, Billy Latham, Terry Thurman, Ellis Silvey, Chuck Beck, Mike Burrage, Jon Tucker, Billy Hensley and Colby Chandler.  Those qualifying for a wildcard position are Forrest Cave, Randy Janoe, Eugene Hensley, Kaleb Hensley and Colton Fleming. Those qualifying for the tournament must attend the club’s meeting on Thursday, September 13, to pay their entry fee and vote on the lake to be fished.  If they cannot attend, they should send their entry fee with someone to the meeting.

Entry fees for the fall deer season contest will also be accepted at the Thursday night meeting.  The club holds a contest for each of Oklahoma’s three deer seasons: archery, primitive and regular gun seasons.  Winners are determined by the size of the deer’s antlers using the Boone & Crockett scoring system.  Entry fees must be paid before a season begins.  Entry fees can also be paid at Silvey’s Tax.  The club will not meet again until the second Thursday in December.

2018 Final Top Ten Standings:

Sardis Lake Tournament 8-25-18

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, August 25..  The tournament was held on Sardis Lake.  Seventeen members participated in the tournament.   Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures, in the mid -70’s, at the start of the tournament but that quickly changed as the sun began to rise.  The temperature at the end of the tournament had reached 97 degrees.  The heat and bright sunshine slowed the bite with only three anglers being able to catch a six fish limit. 

Forrest Cave was the first place winner.  Forrest had a stringer weight of 15.81 pounds.  Billy Latham finished in second place with a stringer weight of 15.62 pounds.  Mike Burrage came in third with a stringer weight of 14.17 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Forrest Cave.  It weighed 5.33 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament, which is also the last regular season tournament, will be held on September 8, on Hugo Lake.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 4:00 p.m.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Frazier Creek boat ramp.  This tournament will be followed one week later, on September 15, with the Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament.  In this tournament, the club’s top ten anglers, along with up to five wild card positions, will compete against each other to conclude the 2018 bass tournament schedule.

TOP TEN STANDINGS:  8-25-18

Pine Creek Tournament 8-11-18

On Saturday, August 11, 2018, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake.  The lake level was about one foot above normal (which is actually about eight feet lower than what the old normal level was) with water temperatures reaching the low nineties.  Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures for August and partly cloudy skies. 

Ten of the sixteen anglers entered in the contest managed to catch their limit of six bass over fourteen inches in length.  Every angler was able to catch at least two or more keeper bass.  Kindel Holiman won the tournament with a stringer that weighed 21.53 pounds.  Kindel also caught the biggest bass of the tournament.  It weighed 4.39 pounds.  Eugene Hensley finished in second place with a stringer weight of 14.46 pounds.  Colton Fleming came in third with a stringer weight of 14.35 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held at Sardis Lake on Saturday, August 25.  Fishing will begin at “safe light” and end at 4:00 p.m.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Sardis Cove boat ramp.

TOP TEN STANDINGS:  8-11-18

Noon to Noon Bass Tournament: 7/28-29/18

Eighteen members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed against each other in the club’s Annual Noon to Noon Bass Tournament held on McGee Creek Lake.  The twenty-four hour marathon began at noon on Saturday, July 28, and ended twenty-four hours later at noon on Sunday, July 29.  A weigh-in was held at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday night.   After weigh-in, members could return to the lake and continue fishing or go home and then return at their leisure to complete the tournament.  The stringer weights from both days were added together to determine the contestants final weight for the tournament.

Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures but had to contend with a brisk breeze on Saturday afternoon.   Strong thunderstorms and heavy rain on Sunday morning forced most of the anglers to return to shore after 8:00 a.m.  Only half the anglers remained to finish the tournament.  A few of those that did stay were rewarded with some nice bass.  Nine anglers caught their six fish limit on Saturday but only three were able to do so on Sunday.

Johnnie Ivey won the tournament with a stringer weight of 19.06 pounds.  Johnnie was also the only angler to catch a bass over the 16-22” slot limit on Saturday.  He caught a bass that weighed 6.51 pounds to win the big bass award for Saturday.  Judd Thomas finished in second place with a stringer weight of 16.12 pounds.  Ellis Silvey came in third with a stringer weight of 14.74 pounds.  Judd Thomas caught the biggest bass on Sunday.  It weighed 7.40 pounds

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, August 11, at Pine Creek Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Little River South boat ramp, aka Rock Creek Ramp.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s regular meeting on Thursday, August 9.  The club meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum. 

TOP TEN STANDINGS:  7-29-18

Hugo Lake Bass Tournament: 7-14-18

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, July 14, at Hugo Lake.  Twenty-four members participated in the event.  The lake level was eighteen inches below normal.  In a nutshell, the weather was hot, the fishing was not.  For most of the anglers, catching a keeper bass over fourteen inches in length proved to be difficult.  Only two anglers were able to catch a six fish limit of bass.  Nine anglers were unable to boat a single keeper bass.

Judd Thomas managed to catch a limit of bass weighing 13.23 pounds to win the tournament.  Kindel Holiman finished in second place, also with a limit of bass that weighed 12.75 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Ellis Silvey.  It weighed 10.71 pounds.  Judd Thomas caught a bass weighing 4.63 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club’s next bass tournament will be the annual Noon to Noon tournament.  It will be held on July 28-29 at McGee Creek Lake.  Members will launch from the Buster Hights boat ramp.   As the name suggest, the tournament will begin at 12:00 noon on Saturday and will end at 12:00 noon on Sunday.  A weigh-in will be held at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, after which, anglers may return to the lake and continue fishing, unless they weighed in a limit of bass.  Those weighing in six bass must wait until after midnight to continue fishing.  Anglers may also leave and then return at their leisure to finish the tournament with the final weigh-in at noon on Sunday. You can keep up with club activities on Facebook or on our website at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

TOP TEN STANDINGS:  7-14-18

Sardis Lake: 6-23-18

Cloudy skies, rain and thunderstorms greeted members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club as daylight broke over Sardis Lake on Saturday, June 23.  Members were competing a bass tournament.  The thunderstorms finally subsided about 10:00 am and gave way to clear skies and windy conditions.  The bite was slow and most anglers were able to catch only two or less keeper bass.  Three anglers had no keepers and only one angler was able to catch a limit of six bass.

Terry Thurman won the tournament with a six fish limit that weighed 16.14 pounds.  Kane Miller finished in second place with a stringer weight of 6.46 pounds. Billy Latham came in third place with a stringer weight of 5.79 pounds.  Terry Thurman caught a bass that weighed 4.22 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, July 14, and will launch from the Frazier Point boat ramp.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s July meeting which will be held on Thursday, July 12.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 pm.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 6-23-18

Pine Creek 6-9-18

Twenty-one members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed in a bass tournament on Saturday, June 9.  The tournament was held on Pine Creek Lake.  The weather cooperated with mild temperatures, overcast skies for the first half of the day, and light breezes.  Catching keeper bass was difficult early in the day but picked up by noon.  Most anglers reported catching more bass during the middle of the day.

Almost all the anglers were able to catch at least one keeper bass with ten anglers catching their limit of six keepers.  Ellis Silvey won the event with a six fish limit that weighed 21.93 pounds.  Terry Thurman took second place with a six fish limit weighing 18.66 pounds.  Terry also had the big bass of the tournament with a bass weighing 5.25 pounds.  Rick Barriger finished in third place, also with a six fish limit that weighed 17.46 pounds.

The club’s next activity will be the annual fish fry held during the Antlers Homecoming celebration.  Members volunteer their time, fish cookers and propane to help with the event.  The club has performed this service for over 35 years.  Any members that can help are urged to attend.  The homecoming fish fry will be held on Saturday, June 16, at First Bank Park.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, June 23, at Sardis Lake.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting.  The next meeting will be Thursday, June 14.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 pm.

TOP TEN STANDINGS:  6-9-18

Husband/wife tournament canceled

Just a reminder.  The husband/wife bass tournament and cook-out that was scheduled for Saturday, June 2, at McGee Creek Lake has been canceled.  The club's next event will be a bass tournament on Saturday, June 9, at Pine Creek Lake.  Launch site will be Little River South ramp (rock creek ramp).  Fishing will begin as soon as we can get into the park and get everyone unloaded.  Fishing will end 9 hours after the start of the tournament.

Sardis Lake 5-19-18

Twenty-three members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed in a bass tournament on Saturday, May 19.  The tournament was held on Sardis Lake.  Skies were mostly clear with very warm temperatures and a brisk breeze (it was downright windy).  Only three anglers were able to catch their limit of six bass while eight anglers were unable to catch a single keeper bass over the 14 inch minimum length limit.

The winning stringer was caught by Judd Thomas.  Judd had a limit of bass that weighed 15.60 pounds.  Finishing in a very close second place was Chuck Beck with a stringer weight of 15.59 pounds.  Terry Thurman placed third with a limit of bass weighing 12.92 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Judd Thomas.  It weighed 6.39 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake.  The tournament will be held on June 9.  Starting time will be as soon as everyone can get into Little River South Park and get unloaded.  The park does not open until 6:00.  Finish time will be 9 hours after the start of the tournament.

The club’s husband/wife bass tournament and fish fry that was scheduled on McGee Creek for Saturday, June 2, has been canceled.  I know the ladies will be disappointed.  Members may hold a fish fry for club members and their families in September after bass tournaments have ended.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 5-19-18

Free Youth Fishing Tournament

On Saturday, May 12, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club were host to a free youth fishing tournament.  The tournament was held at McGee Creek Lake.  The tournament was a huge success with 21 young anglers competing in the event.  All but two of the contestants were able to catch and weigh-in fish.  Even the weather cooperated with mild temperatures, partly cloudy skies and a brisk breeze.

Cooper Holiman was the first place winner.  Cooper had a stringer weight of 4.96 pounds.  Baler Bailey finished in second place with a stringer weight of 2.63 pounds.  Cedar Derby took third place honors with a stringer weight of 2.21 pounds.  Baler Bailey caught a bass weighing 2.01 pounds to win the prize for the biggest fish weighed in.  These four anglers each received a plaque and a prize.  All of the other contestants also received a prize, regardless of whether they caught a fish or not.  The young anglers were allowed to fish with live bait or artificial lures. They could also fish from a boat or from the shore.  After the tournament was over, all that attended, along with their parents, were treated to a hotdog cookout with all the trimmings and soft drinks.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Sardis Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, May 19.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:30 p.m.  The tournament will launch from the Sardis Cove boat ramp.

Hugo Bass Tournament 5-5-18

Twenty-three members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed against each other in a bass tournament on Saturday, May 5.  The tournament was held on Hugo Lake.  It was a great day for bass fishing but a poor day for catching a bass.  Only two anglers were able to catch a limit of six bass and seven anglers were unable to catch a single keeper bass over 14 inches long.

Terry Thurman won the tournament with a six fish limit that weighed 16.34 pounds.  Kindel Holiman finished in second place, also with a six fish limit that weighed 12.13 pounds.  Billy Latham came in third with a stringer weight 11.37 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Billy Hensley.  It weighed 4.26 pounds.

The club’s next event will be their annual Free Youth Fishing Tournament.  It will be held at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, May 12.  Contestants can enter at the Buster Hights boat landing.  Fishing times will be from 8:00 to 1:00.  After all fish have been weighed and prizes have been awarded, the young anglers and their parents will be treated to a hamburger/hot dog cookout with all the trimmings.

The rules for the youth tournament are simple.  Any youngster, age 16 or under may enter.  There is absolutely no fee for the tournament or the cookout.  The young anglers can fish from a boat, from the shore or from the fishing pier located on the point in the Buster Hights recreation area.  They may use live bait or artificial lures.  Any legal fish may be kept and weighed in.  Plaques will be awarded for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place stringers and for the biggest fish. All state and federal wildlife regulations must be followed, especially those pertaining to size and creel limits.

Club members will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, May 10.  Meetings begin at 7:30 and are held at the Wildlife Heritage center. 

TOP TEN STANDINGS 5-5-18

Top Ten Standings 5-5-18

47th Annual Big Bass Rodeo

47^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo

On April 21-22, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted the 47^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on Pine Creek Lake.  One hundred fourteen anglers competed in the big bass tournament.  The weather could have cooperated a little more with Saturday being cold and rainy and Sunday was cold and windy.   Even though the weather was not perfect, several nice fish were caught.  The top five finishers all had bass that weighed over five pounds.

Terry Thurman won the tournament with a bass that weighed 5.76 pounds.   Finishing in second place, by a mere one-hundredth of a pound, was Joe Williams. His bass weighed 5.75 pounds.  Third place was won by Bub Cunningham with a bass weighing 5.30 pounds.  Billy Latham caught a 5.20 pound bass to take fourth place.  Craig Bartlett finished fifth with a bass weighing 5.13 pounds.  Each received a trophy, courtesy of FirstBank, and a check for their share of the entry fees.

New to the tournament this year was a prize for the biggest bass caught by an angler age 13 or under.  Tadpole’s Marine in Hugo gave $100.00 to Kaison Peek for his bass that weighed 3.90 pounds.  Tadpole’s Marine also gave the angler that caught the bass weighing closest to 3.00 pounds without going over a check for $200.00.  Three anglers caught bass that weighed exactly three pounds.  They were Judd Thomas, Terry Thurman and Tom McBride.  A coin toss decided the winner and Judd Thomas walked away with the extra cash.

Anglers that placed sixth or lower were awarded prizes or gift certificates provided by area merchants.  Businesses had donated prizes, gift cards or cash for prizes.  Our local merchants were so generous that 57 additional anglers received prizes that included items such as rods, reels, lures, marine batteries and other items related to outdoor activities. The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club would like to say” Thank you” to all these merchants.  Their support is what has kept this tournament going for forty-seven years.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on May 5 at Hugo Lake.  Launch site will be Frazier Creek landing.  Fishing times will begin at “safe light” and end 9 hours later.

Picture Info:  Left to right, also 1^st to 5^th place:  Terry Thurman, Joe Williams, Bub Cunningham, Billy Latham, and Craig Bartlett

47th Annual Big Bass Rodeo

If you enjoy bass fishing, winning cash, prizes and trophies, then you might want to consider entering in this year’s Big Bass Rodeo.  The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will host the 47th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on April 21-22, at Pine Creek Lake.  This is the oldest, continuous running big bass tournament in the state and quite possibly the nation.  This is the club’s only fund raising event. Proceeds from the tournament will be used for prizes and food at the club’s free youth tournament, scheduled for May 12 at McGee Creek, awards and prizes for kids during the annual banquet and club and community activities.

Headquarters for the Big Bass Rodeo will be at the pavilion on Rock Creek Point in Little River South Park.  The entry fee is $25.00 per angler.  The first 120 contestants will receive a Big Bass Rodeo cap provided by Pruett’s and AmeriState Bank of Antlers. You must be member of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club to compete.  Memberships are $15.00 per year or a temporary membership, good for one tournament, is available for $5.00.  There is a guaranteed first place prize of $500.00.  Winners are determined by the weight of their largest bass weighed in.  Cash prizes will be awarded to the top five finishers based on a percentage of the total entry fee money.  Each of the top five contestants will also receive a trophy provided by FirstBank in Antlers. This tournament would not be a success without the support of our local merchants.  Sixth place on down will win prizes donated by these merchants until the supply of prizes is exhausted.

Contestants may enter on Friday, April 20, from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. at the tournament headquarters or on Saturday morning before the start of the tournament.  Fishing times will be from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

 

Hugo Tournament 4-7-18

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, April 7, at Hugo Lake. The lake level was about two feet above normal with water temps in the mid-fifties.  To say the weather was bad for a day of fishing would be an understatement.  Anglers started the tournament with temps near freezing very little improvement during the day.  The icing on the cake was the cold rain that fell for most of the day.  For most of the anglers, catching a keeper bass over fourteen inches in length proved to be difficult.  Only eight anglers were able to catch a keeper bass with no one catching more than three bass. 

Craig Bartlett won the tournament with a stringer weight of 8.19 pounds.  Craig also caught the biggest bass of the tournament.  It weighed 4.38 pounds.  Judd Thomas finished in second place with a stringer weight of 6.00 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Billy Latham.  Billy’s stringer weighed 5.06 pounds. 

The club’s next tournament will be their Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  It will be held on Pine Creek Lake on April 21-22.  Pine Creek had experienced severe flooding last month but at this time, camp grounds and boat ramps are open.  Final preparations for the Big Bass Rodeo will be discussed at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, April 12.

Turkey season for the southeast counties of Oklahoma will open on Monday, April 23.  The club holds a spring turkey hunting contest.  Those wishing to enter the contest may do so at the club’s monthly meeting.  The entry fee for the contest is $10.00 and must be paid before season begins.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 4-7-18

Sardis Lake 3-24-18

On Saturday, May 24, twenty-three members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed in a bass tournament on Sardis Lake. Anglers were greeted with mild temps and a brisk breeze. The lake level was close to normal with the water temperature in the upper fifties to mid-sixties.  Eight anglers were unable to catch a single keeper over the fourteen inch minimum length limit and only two anglers were able to boat a limit of six keepers.

Jon Tucker won first place with a six fish limit that weighed 20.88 pounds.  Judd Thomas came in second with a six fish limit weighing 16.88 pounds.  Colby Chandler finished in third place with a stringer weight of 12.87 pounds.  The biggest bass of the tournament was caught by Forrest Cave.  It weighed 7.59 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, April 7.  Launch site for the tournament will be Frazier Point boat landing.  Fishing times will be from 7:00 until 4:00.

The club’s next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  One of the main items to be discussed during the next meeting will be the club’s 47th Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  This year’s Big Bass Rodeo will be held on April 21-22 on Pine Creek Lake.  The extremely high lake level in Pine Creek Lake may force the postponement of the Big Bass Rodeo. Updates will be posted on the club’s website at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com and also on Facebook.

TOP TEN STANDINGS 3-24-18

McGee Creek 3-10-18

McGee Creek Bass Tournament

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their first bass tournament of the year on Saturday, March 10.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake.  Twenty-nine members competed in the event.  For once, the weather cooperated with mild temperatures, no rain and light to moderate winds.  The lake level was about one foot above normal with water temperatures in the mid to upper fifties.

Only two anglers were able to catch a limit of six bass.  None were able to catch a bass over the 16-22 inch slot limit.  Eleven anglers were unable to catch a single keeper but did report they had caught some nice bass that were in the slot limit and had to be released.

Craig Bartlett won the tournament with a stringer weight of 7.64 pounds.  Chuck Beck finished in second place with a stringer weight of 6.18 pounds.  Finishing in third place was Judd Thomas with a stringer weight of 6.11 pounds. The big bass of the tournament weighed 1.92 pounds and was caught by Kindel Holiman.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on March 24, at Sardis Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be Sardis Cove ramp.  Fishing times will be from 7:00-4:00.

TOP TEN STANDINGS 3-10-18

Upcoming Bass Tournaments

Upcoming bass tournaments:
Mar. 10, McGee Creek, Buster Hights landing, 8:00-4:00.
Mar. 24, Sardis, Sardis Cove Ramp, 7:00-4:00.
April 7, Hugo Lake, Frazier Creek Ramp, 7:00-4:00.

47th Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday, March 3, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 47^th Annual Awards Banquet.  Members and their families were treated to a meal of grilled pork chops and chicken, soft drinks and side dishes prepared by the members.  Members were recognized for their achievements during the 2017 hunting and fishing contests.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2017 spring turkey season contest.  Winning first place was Colby Chandler.  Second place went to Eugene Hensley.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fees.

The Top Ten Anglers of the Year were recognized next.  Each angler received an embroidered patch. The Top Ten Anglers for 2017 were (from number 10 to number 1) Colton Fleming, Eugene Hensley, Forrest Cave, Mike Burrage, Randy Janoe, Chuck Beck, Colby Chandler, Ellis Silvey, Billy Latham and Bass Angler of the Year, Judd Thomas.  Judd received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

The Big Bass of the Year award went to Judd Thomas.  Judd caught a bass weighing 7.86 pounds at McGee Creek Lake during the March 2017 tournament.   The Heaviest Stringer of the Year went to Charley Slaton.  Charley had a stringer weight of 21.86 pounds at the Hugo Lake tournament in April of last year.  Both received a plaque.

The 100 Pound Club award goes to members that are able to catch at least one hundred pounds of bass during the club bass tournaments in a season.  Three members were able to catch over one hundred pounds.  They were Ellis Silvey with 103.77 pounds, Billy Latham with 104.87 pounds and Judd Thomas with 137.96 pounds.  Each received a plaque.

The club recognized Martha Hensley and Stephanie Hensley Hignight for their help and service while serving as the official weigh-in chairmen for the club’s Big Bass Rodeo.  They have done this for several years and were “retiring” from the position.  Each was awarded a plaque for their service.

In the club’s deer archery season contest, Eugene Hensley won first place honors.  No other members that entered the contest were able to harvest a deer in archery season.  Eugene received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

Ellis Silvey took first place honors in the deer primitive firearms contest.  Judd Thomas finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

For the rifle season contest, Ellis Silvey won first place.  Billy Latham finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

The Grand Slam Award is given to members who are able to harvest a deer in all three season; archery, primitive and rifle seasons.  This year only one member was able to achieve this goal.  That member was Eugene Hensley.

Each year the club recognizes a sponsor that consistently supports the club and the Big Bass Rodeo.  The sponsor is presented a plaque.  The “Sponsor of the Year” award was presented to Antlers Pharmacy.

The club’s most prestigious award is the Sportsman of the Year Award.  The winner of this award is determined by a point system based on participation and achievement.  This year’s Sportsman of the Year is Eugene Hensley. Eugene received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

Billy Latham was presented a plaque for his service as the 2017 president of the club.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid Visa card, was won by Kathy Smith.  Her husband, Bob Smith, won the men’s door prize, an ABU Revo SX baitcast reel.  As always, every child that attended was awarded a door prize consisting of games, sports balls, fishing equipment and more.

The club’s first bass tournament of 2018 will be at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, March 10.  Launch site for the tournament will be Buster Hights boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be decided at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, March 8.  The club meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Wildlife Heritage Center.  You can keep up with club activities on Facebook or on their web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

Annual Awards Banquet

Pushmataha County Sportsman Club

47th Annual Awards Banquet

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their 47^th Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 3.  The banquet will be held in the Antlers High School Cafeteria and will begin at 6:00 p.m.  At the banquet, awards will be presented to members that were earned during the 2017 hunting seasons and bass tournaments. 

The meal will feature smoked meats provided by the club and prepared by club member Judd Thomas.  Side dishes and desserts will be provided by members and their spouses.  The club usually has a speaker for the banquet but decided this year to go without one.  There will be door prizes for the men and ladies, and as always, every child that attends will receive a prize.  The ladies door prize will be a $100.00 prepaid Mastercard and the men will be able to buy chances on an ABU Revo SX baitcast reel valued at $159.99.

Members are looking forward to their first bass tournament of 2018 which will be held on March 10, at McGee Creek Lake.  The fishing hours for the tournament will be decided at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, March 8.  Launch site for the tournament will be at Buster Hights Landing.

February Meeting

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, February 8. Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 p.m. On the agenda this month will be finalizing the plans for the Annual Awards Banquet that will be held on Saturday, March 3. Also, members will begin making plans for the 47th Annual Big Bass Rodeo. Members wishing input on these items are urged to attend.

January Meeting

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 11. First on the agenda was Shawnda Cox.  Shawnda presented a short program on “Save the Kiamichi River”.  This group is endeavoring to stop Oklahoma City from drawing water from the Kiamichi River to pump to Oklahoma City.  As most know who live in the area, there are times every year that the river is to low to even launch a boat at some of the boat ramps.  These would most likely be the times when Oklahoma City would want to be pumping water to their reservoirs in the metro area.  After hearing Shawnda’s presentation, the club voted to donate $250.00 to“Save the Kiamichi River” to help with legal expenses, education and publicity.

Officers and board members were also elected during the meeting.  All 2017 officers and board members were re-elected to their current positions.  They are: Billy Latham, president; Judd Thomas, vice-president; Billy Henlsey, secretary; Ellis Silvey, treasurer.  Board members are Eugene Hensley, Kaleb Hensley, Randy Janoe, Joe Janoe, Forrest Cave and Colby Chandler.

Members who entered the club’s fall deer contest and were successful had their antlers measured to determine winners.  For the deer rifle season contest, Ellis Silvey won first with Billy Latham placing second.  In the deer primitive firearms contest, Ellis Silvey won first with Judd Thomas taking second place.  The deer archery season contest was still ongoing at the time of the meeting.  Archery season ends on January 15.  Eugene Hensley was leading the contest as he was the only member that had been successful so far.

The Annual Awards Banquet has been set for Saturday, March 3.  It will begin at 6:00 pm at the Antlers High School Cafeteria.  The club’s 47^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo has been set for April 21-22 at Pine Creek Lake.  The Club’s first bass tournament of the season will be held on March 10, at McGee Creek Lake. 

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 11.  Meetings begin at 7:30 pm and are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  There will be several items on the agenda. The election of officers and board members will be held.  This will simply be a formality since all previous officers and board members were nominated at the December meeting and no one was nominated to run against any of them.  Discussion will also be held about this year's annual awards banquet.  The banquet is scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 3, at the Antlers High School cafeteria.  One of the final items on the agenda will be the measuring of deer antlers to determine winners of the club deer contest.  Those members that entered the club's contest and were successful should bring their antlers to the meeting. The club holds a contest for archery, primitive firearms and rifle season.