44th Annual Award Banquet

On Saturday, March 7, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their Annual Awards Banquet.  The banquet was held at the Antlers High School cafeteria and featured a meal of smoked ham & pork chops, rolls, soft drinks and side dishes prepared by club members and their spouses.  After the meal was finished, wildlife biologist Buddy Prather presented a program on the McGee Creek Wildlife Management Area.

.After Buddy had finished his presentation, members were presented their awards.  For spring turkey season, the club awards a prize for the heaviest turkey and for the turkey with the longest beard.  This year however, none the members that entered the contest harvested a turkey.  Hopefully, we’ll have better luck this year.

Next to be recognized were the Top Ten Anglers of the Year.  Each received an embroidered patch.  They were, from number ten to number one, Chuck Beck, Jason Reed, Terry Thurman, Kaleb Hensley, Billy Latham, Mike Burrage, Eugene Hensley, Billy Hensley, Judd Thomas, and Bass Angler of the Year, Ellis Silvey.  Ellis also received a plaque and a check.

The Heaviest Stringer of the Year Award went to Billy Hensley.  Billy had the largest stringer weighed in by a club member in a bass tournament.  His stringer weighed 25.04 pounds.  Eugene Hensley won the award for Big Bass of the Year. Eugene’s bass was caught at Sardis Lake and weighed 9.23 pounds.  Both received a plaque.  The club recognizes anglers that catch over 100 pounds of bass in our yearly tournaments by presenting the “100 Pound Club” award.  Only two members qualified for the award this year.  They were Ellis Silvey and Judd Thomas.  Both received a plaque.

In the deer archery season contest, Kaleb Hensley took first place honors with Eugene Hensley finishing in second place.  For deer primitive firearms season, Billy Latham won first place and Eugen Hensley came in second.  Billy Hensley won first place in the deer rifle season contest.  Kaleb Hensley finished in second place for the deer rifle season contest.  Each received a plaque and a check for their share of the entry fee money.  Winners were determined by measuring the deer’s antlers using the Boone and Crockett scoring system.

The Grand Slam Award is given to members that harvest a deer in all three seasons; archery, primitive, and gun season.  Three members were presented this award.  They were Billy Hensley, Kaleb Hensley and Eugene Hensley.

Each year the club recognizes a business or person that consistently supports the club through their donations to club events.  The 2014 Sponsor of the Year Award was presented to Jim Ray’s Quick Stop.

The club’s most prestigious award is the Sportsman of the Year Award.  This award is based on success in hunting, fishing, and other club activities.  Points are awarded in each of these activities.  The member with the most points at the end of the year is the Sportsman of the Year.  The 2014 Sportsman of the Year Award was presented to Billy Hensley.

The final award was presented to club president Billy Latham for a year of dedicated service to the club.  After awards, door prizes were awarded.  Every child that attended received a prize.  The ladies door prize, a $75.00 Wal-Mart gift card, was won by Kathy Smith.  Billy Hensley won the men’s door prize, an Ambassadeur Revo “S” baitcasting reel. 

The club’s first bass tournament of the 2015 season will be held on March 14, at McGee Creek Lake.  The tournament will launch from Buster Hights Landing.  Fishing times will be decided at the club’s regular meeting on Thursday, March 12.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.  You can keep up with club activities on the internet by visiting the club’s new blog site.  The web address is  www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

Billy Latham, president

Pushmataha County Sportsman Club