2016 December Meeting

Club members met on December 8, 2016 at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Officers were nominated for the upcoming year.  Nominations were as follows: President-Billy Latham, Vice-President-Judd Thomas, Secretary-Billy Hensley and Treasurer-Ellis Silvey.  Board of Directors were also nominated.  They were Randy Janoe, Eugene Hensley, Joe Janoe, Forrest Cave, Colby Chandler, and Kaleb Hensley.  Elections will be held at the January meeting to finalize these nominees.  Club members also discussed and approved the 2017 Bass Tournament Schedule.  A copy of the schedule is shown below.  All dates are tentative pending approval of tournament permits.

December Meeting

Members will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 8. The meeting will be held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Members will discuss and plan the 2017 bass tournament schedule. Also, nominations for officers and board members will be taken and then voted on at the January meeting. Those members wishing to have input on the items should plan on attending.

Deer Season Contest Information

Members are reminded that the club holds a fall deer hunting contest for each of Oklahoma’s three deer seasons: archery, primitive firearms, and regular gun season.  First and second place prizes and plaques are awarded for each season.  Winners are determined by a measurement of the buck’s antlers using the Boone & Crockett scoring system. Entries must be made before a season begins and can be made at Silvey’s Tax Service.  Complete rules and regulations are listed below.

APPENDIX A: DEER CONTEST REGULATIONS

(Updated 3-20-16)

 

1. No entries will be accepted after a season begins.

 

2. No one person can win more than one prize for each season.

3. Entry fee must be paid prior to each season. Current fee is

    $10.00 per season or as set by the club.

 

4. Contestant must be a member of the Pushmataha County

    Sportsman Club.

 

5. In case of a tie, the following rule will be followed:  The buck

    checked-in first, based on check station records, will be the

    winner.

   

6. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place in each

    season.  Winners will be determined by a gross score

    measurement of the buck’s antlers using the Boone & Crockett

    scoring method.

 

7. Antler-less deer taken by contestants will receive points for the

    “Sportsman of the Year” award only unless no bucks were

     checked in.  In this case, the doe checked in first will win.

 

8. The buck with the highest gross B & C score will receive 50%

    of the entry money.   The deer with  the 2nd highest B & C

    score will receive 40% of the entry money. Both will receive a

    trophy or a plaque.

 

9. No computer draw or controlled hunts are eligible.  Deer taken

    in “high fence” areas are not eligible for the contest.  A “high

    fence” is any fence that would prohibit or greatly restrict a deer

    from leaving the property being hunted on.

 

10. All state hunting laws and regulations will be adhered to for

      these contests.

 

11.  To be eligible for a prize, the deer  must be killed in Pushmataha county or an adjoining county.

 

12.  Any member killing a deer in all three seasons sponsored by the club will receive an award.

 

13.  It is the contestants responsibility to have the weight,

      points, and time of check in written on the carcass tag and

      brought to the January meeting for scoring.

 

14.  Antlers should be left attached to the skull plate and brought

      to the January meeting to be scored.

 

15.  Entries should be paid at the September club meeting. 

      Entries may also be paid at Silvey’s Tax Consulting or be

      mailed to PO Box 576, Antlers, OK 74523.  Make sure on

      mailed entries to specify your name and which seasons are

      being entered.  Mailed entries MUST be postmarked before

      the opening day of the earliest season being entered.

Top Ten Tournament 2016

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 17.  The tournament was held on Sardis Lake.  This tournament allows the top ten anglers in the club to compete against each other in one final tournament of the season.  Also, up to five wildcard spots are allowed for anglers that had not missed more than two bass tournaments during the year and were also high in the bass tournament standings to compete in the tournament.  All of the anglers that qualified for the top ten tournament and for the wild card positions were able to fish in this year’s contest.  Anglers competing in this year’s tournament were Judd Thomas, Ellis Silvey, Billy Latham, Randy Janoe, Johnny Ivey, Chuck Beck, Joe Janoe, Colby Chandler, Colten Fleming, Mike Burrage, Eugene Hensley, Kaleb Hensley, Billy Hensley, and Forrest Cave. 

Anglers started the tournament with mild temperatures and cloudy skies.  The cloudy skies soon gave way to bright sunshine. The lake level was slightly below normal.  Half of the anglers were able to catch their six fish limit of bass.

Judd Thomas won all the bragging rights by catching the heaviest stringer and also the biggest bass of the tournament.   His six fish limit weighed 16.63 pounds.  His big bass weighed 4.42 pounds.  Mike Burrage came in second, also with a six fish limit, that weighed 16.28 pounds.  Billy Latham finished in third place with a stringer weight of 14.74 pounds.  Fourth place went to Colby Chandler with a stringer weight of 13.74 pounds.  The fifth and final place went to Ellis Silvey with a stringer weight of 13.40 pounds.

This tournament concludes the bass fishing season for the club.  Members will now focus on the upcoming deer seasons.  The club holds a contest for each season; archery, primitive firearms, and rifle season.  Prizes will be awarded for first and second place in each season based on a measurement of the deer’s antlers.  Members are reminded that entry fees must be paid before a season begins.  Entry fees can be paid at Silvey’s Tax Service.

Hugo Lake Bass Tournament results

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their last regular season bass tournament of 2016 on Saturday, September 10.  The tournament was held on Hugo Lake.  The weather cooperated nicely with mild temperatures that were slightly below normal for this time of the year.  Rain had been forecast for the morning but only light showers occurred. Most anglers reported catching small bass, under the fourteen inch minimum length limit, all day long.  A few anglers, however, were able to bring in some impressive stringer weights. Seven anglers were able to catch their limit of six bass over 14 inches.

Winning the tournament was Forrest Cave.  Forrest had a limit of six bass that weighed 16.21 pounds.  Billy Hensley finished in second place with a stringer weight of 15.34 pounds.  Judd Thomas took third place honors with a stringer weight of 15.16 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Billy Hensley.  His bass weighed 4.63 pounds.

The club’s final bass tournament will be the Annual Top Ten Tournament, which will be held on Saturday, September 17.   This tournament allows the top ten anglers of the year to compete against each other in one final tournament.  The top ten anglers of 2016 are, from number ten to number one, Mike Burrage, Colten Fleming, Colby Chandler, Joe Janoe, Chuck Beck, Johnny Ivey, Randy Janoe, Billy Latham, Ellis Silvey, and Judd Thomas.  Members will meet on Thursday, September 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Those wishing to enter the Top Ten Tournament must attend and pay their entry fees at this time.  If they are unable to attend, they must make arrangements for someone to pay their entry fee for them.  If a Top Ten angler is not able to compete in the tournament, their position will be filled by the next angler in line for this positon.  Up to five wildcard positions may also be filled by anglers that have not missed more than two bass tournaments during the year.  After all entry fees have been paid, those entered will vote on which lake will be fished for the tournament.

With fishing season coming to an end, members will now turn their attention to deer season.  The club holds a contest for each of the three deer season; archery, primitive firearms and regular gun season.  Members must pay their entry fees for the contest before a season begins.  Entry fees are $10.00 per season and can be paid at the meeting on September 15, or at Silvey’s Tax Service.  This will be the club’s last meeting until December.

FINAL 2016 TOP TEN STANDINGS:

Sardis Lake Tournament 8-20-16

On Saturday, August 20, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Sardis Lake.  The lake was only slightly above normal level.  Early morning thunderstorms delayed the start of the tournament for approximately thirty minutes.  Once the storm had passed, anglers enjoyed cloudy skies and mild temperatures with occasional rain showers for the rest of the day.

Six anglers were able to catch their limit of six fish over the fourteen inch minimum length limit.  Billy Latham won the tournament with the heaviest stringer weighed in.  His six fish limit weighed 16.65 pounds.  Johnny Ivey finished in second place with a stringer weight of 16.10 pounds.  Colby Chandler came in third with a stringer weight of 15.43 pounds.  Billy Hensley caught a bass that weighed 6.42 pounds to win the prize for the biggest bass of the tournament.

The club’s next bass tournament, which will also be the last regular season tournament, will be held on September 10, at Hugo Lake.  Fishing times for the tournament will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, September 8.  The club’s annual Top Ten Tournament will follow one week later on Saturday, September 17.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 8-20-16

Pine Creek Tournament 8-6-16

On Saturday, August 6, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake.  Sixteen members braved the one hundred degree heat and high humidity to compete in the event.  The extreme heat did not discourage the fish from biting however, as half of those fishing had six fish limits and it took a stringer weight of over twenty pounds to win the tournament.  The lake level was approximately one foot below normal.

Most members were able to catch several keeper bass as well as a lot of fish under the fourteen inch minimum length limit.  Johnnie Ivey won the tournament with a stringer weight of 20.20 pounds.  Johnnie also caught the biggest bass of the tournament.  His bass weighed 4.43 pounds beating Mike Burrage by a mere .01 of a pound.  Finishing in second place was Mike Burrage.  Mike had a stringer weight of 16.47 pounds. Forrest Cave came in third with a stringer weight of 16.04 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Sardis Lake.  The tournament will be held on Saturday, August 20, at the Sardis Cove boat ramp.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, August 11.  

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 8-6-16

Noon to Noon Bass Tournament July 23-24, 2016

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their Annual Noon to Noon Bass Tournament on McGee Creek Lake.  The twenty-four hour tournament began at noon on Saturday, July 23, and ended twenty-four hours later at noon on Sunday, July 24.  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.

Johnny Ivey won the tournament with a stringer weight of 22.66 pounds.   Billy Latham finished in second place with a stringer weight of 16.61 pounds.  Ellis Silvey finished in third place.  His stringer weighed 15.58 pounds.  A big bass prize was awarded for both days.  Johnny Ivey was able to catch a bass over the 16 to 22 inch slot limit to win the big bass on Saturday. His bass weighed 7.19 pounds.  Billy Latham had the big bass on Sunday with a bass weighing 2.14 pounds.   None of the anglers were able to catch a bass that was over the slot limit on Sunday.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on August 6, at Pine Creek Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Little River South boat ramp.  Since the park does not open until 6:00 a.m., fishing times will be from the time everyone is unloaded and ready to leave plus nine hours.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 7-24-2016

Hugo Lake Bass Tournament 7-9-16

On Saturday, July 9, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Hugo Lake. The temperature for July was fairly moderate, warming only into the upper eighties.  Anglers enjoyed a mild breeze and partly cloudy skies for most of the day.  A light rain fell during the weigh-in. The lake was just below normal level. Seven anglers were able to catch a six fish limit while everyone else was able to catch at least a few keeper size bass.

Colby Chandler was the first place winner.  Colby had a stringer weight of 18.41 pounds.  Judd Thomas finished in second place with a stringer weight of 18.04 pounds.  Judd also caught the biggest bass of the tournament with a bass weighing 5.81 pounds.  Ellis Silvey finished in third place with a six fish limit that weighed 15.91 pounds. 

The club’s next event will be the annual Noon to Noon Bass Tournament on McGee Creek Lake.  The tournament is scheduled for July 23-24 and will launch from the Buster Hights boat ramp. Fishing times will be from 12:00 noon on Saturday until 12:00 noon on Sunday.  A weigh-in will be held Saturday night after which, anglers may return to fishing or go home and return at their leisure to finish the tournament.  Anglers with a limit of fish at the Saturday night weigh-in cannot return to fishing until after mid-night.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 7-9-2016

 

Sardis Lake Bass Tournament: 6-25-16

On Saturday, June 25, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Sardis Lake. The temperature for June was fairly moderate, warming into the low nineties.  Anglers had to contend with a stiff breeze, which is quite typical for Sardis Lake, and mostly sunny skies. The lake level was normal. Six anglers were able to catch a six fish limit while most had trouble locating and catching keeper bass.

Terry Thurman was the first place winner.  Terry had a stringer weight of 23.36 pounds.  Terry also caught the biggest bass of the tournament with a bass weighing 5.34 pounds.  Eugene Hensley finished in second place with a six fish limit that weighed 15.53 pounds.  Judd Thomas, also with a six fish limit, came in third with a stringer weight of 15.50 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  The tournament is scheduled for July 9 and will launch from the Frazier Creek boat ramp. Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:00 p.m.  

 

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 6-25-2016 (Page 1 is shown)

 

Pine Creek Tournament 6-11-16

On Saturday, June 11, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake.  Twenty-two members braved the high heat and high humidity to compete in the event.  The heat did not discourage the fish from biting however, as half of those fishing had six fish limits and it took a stringer weight of over twenty pounds just to place in the top three positions.  The lake was close to the new “normal” level since the water level has been lowered due to repair work being done on the lake dam.

Most members were able to catch several keeper bass as well as a lot of fish under the fourteen inch minimum length limit. Kaleb Hensley won the tournament with a stringer weight of 22.29 pounds.  He also caught the biggest bass of the tournament with a fish weighing 5.43 pounds.  Finishing in second place was Ellis Silvey.  Ellis had a stringer weight of 20.67 pounds. Randy Janoe came in third with a stringer weight of 20.48 pounds.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Sardis Lake.  The tournament will be held on June 25 at the Sardis Cove boat ramp.  The tournament will begin at “safe light” and end at 3:00 p.m. Remember to check the club’s website at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com to keep up with club activities and to check for updates on upcoming events.

 

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 6-11-16

 

Husband-Wife Bass Tournament results

 

On Saturday, June 4, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their annual husband & wife bass tournament and fish fry.  The event took place at McGee Creek Lake.  Eighteen anglers competed in the tournament.  The lake level was above normal level and slowly falling.  The weather was warm and humid making for a very warm day.  These conditions made catching quality bass difficult.

The team of Bradley Mills and Amanda Young took first place honors with 10.82 pounds for the heaviest stringer weighed in.  Kaleb Hensley and Jamie Critchlow finished in second place with a stringer weight of 6.30 pounds.  Third place stringer was won by Eugene and Judy Hensley with a stringer weight of 5.01 pounds.  The biggest bass of the tournament was caught by Randy Janoe.  His bass weighed 2.21 pounds.  After all fish had been weighed, anglers were treated to a fish fry with all the trimmings.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and the fellowship.

In the ladies big bass division, Amanda Young won first place with a bass weighing 2.11 pounds.  Judy Hensley came in second with a bass weighing 1.52 pounds.  Third place went to Heather Janoe for her 1.06 pound bass.  Martha Hensley came in fourth with a bass that weighed .82 pounds.  Jamie Crithlow caught a .81 pound bass for fifth place.  Each of these ladies will receive a plaque that will be awarded at the club's next meeting.

The club’s next bass tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, on Pine Creek Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Little River South boat ramp, aka Rock Creek Ramp.  Fishing times for the tournament will be voted on at the club’s meeting on Thursday, June 9.  The club meets at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum at 7.30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.  

 

Husband-Wife Bass Tournament and Fish Fry

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their Annual Husband-Wife Bass Tournament and fish fry on Saturday, June 4.  The tournament will take place at McGee Creek Lake and will launch from the Potapo boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  Members will hold a fish fry immediately after weigh-in.  This is Oklahoma’s free fishing week end so a fishing license will not be required to fish.  A team does not have to be husband and wife but do have to be a male and female team.  One team member must be a member of the club.  Entry fee is $15.00 per person with an optional $5.00 big bass pot entry fee.  First, second and third place team prizes will be awarded.  Plaques will be awarded to the ladies for the biggest bass caught by them, first thru fifth place.  Come on out and enjoy the outdoors, the fishing and good food.

Sardis Lake Bass Tournament

On Saturday, May 21, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Sardis Lake. Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures and for a change, light winds during the day.  The start of the tournament was delayed for over an hour due to heavy fog.  Visibility at times was only a hundred yards or less.  Once the fog lifted, the twenty-seven anglers entered in the tournament were able to enjoy a nice day of bass fishing.

Most anglers were able to catch at least a few keeper size bass but only six anglers were able to catch a limit of six bass.  Randy Janoe caught the heaviest stringer to win first place.  Randy had a six bass limit that weighed 21.72 pounds.  Billy Latham, also with a six fish limit, came in second with a stringer weight of 16.46 pounds.  Ellis Silvey finished in third place with a six fish limit that weighed 15.92.  Randy Janoe caught the big bass of the tournament with a bass weighing 7.97 pounds.

The club’s next event will be the Annual Husband-Wife Bass Tournament and fish fry.  It will be held on McGee Creek Lake at the Potapo boat ramp on June 4.  The tournament takes place on Oklahoma’s free fishing week-end so contestants do not have to have a fishing license to participate.  Also, teams do not have to be husband and wife, just a male-female team is required.  Members that do not have a partner can still fish for the big bass prize.  Fishing times will be from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  A fish fry will follow the weigh-in for all those that attend.

Top Ten Standings: 5/21/2016

 

 

Youth Tournament results

On Saturday, May 14, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted a free youth fishing tournament on McGee Creek Lake.  The event was open to any youth that was sixteen years old or younger.  There was no charge for the event.  Twenty-six young anglers participated in the tournament.  The anglers were able to enjoy mild temperatures with somewhat windy conditions. 

The rules were fairly simple.  Any legal fish could be brought to the weigh-in.  Contestants could fish from the shore or from a boat.  Rod and reels or cane poles could be used as well as live bait or artificial lures.  The kids fished from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Several nice stringers of fish were caught and weighed.

Winning the tournament was Kimberly Bartlett.  Kimberly had a stringer weight of 16.44 pounds.  Cedar Derby came in second with a stringer weight of 12.15 pounds.  Third place was won by Kaleb Mason with a stringer weight of 6.31 pounds.  Kaleb also caught the biggest fish of the tournament with fish weighing 1.86 pounds. These three contestants all received plaques and a very nice prize.  Also, every young angler that entered the contest received a prize, regardless of whether they were able to catch any fish or not. 

After the weigh-in, contestants and their parents were treated to a cookout featuring hotdogs and hamburgers with soft drinks and all the trimmings.  All that attended seemed to enjoy the fishing and the good food.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on May 21, at Sardis Lake.  Anglers will launch from the Sardis Cove boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:00 p.m.

2016 Youth Tournament winners.

Free Youth Tournament & Cook-Out

 

Put down the TV remote and video game controllers, grab the fishing gear and kids and head to McGee Creek Lake this weekend.  The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will be hosting their Annual Free Youth Fishing Tournament and Cook-out this Saturday, May 14, at McGee Creek Lake.  Entries will be taken at Buster Hights boat landing.  There is absolutely no charge for the tournament and any child age 16 or under may enter.  Fishing times for the tournament will be from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  The young anglers can fish from a boat, from the shore, or from the fishing pier located in the Buster Hights camping area.  Contestants may use rod and reels, cane poles, etc.  Artificial lures or live bait may be used.  This is a fishing tournament, not a bass tournament, so any legal species of fish may be weighed in by the contestants.  Winners will be determined by the heaviest stringers weighed in.  First, second and third place finishers will receive plaques donated by Kiamichi Kreations.  A plaque will also be awarded to the angler that catches the biggest single fish. Every contestant will receive a prize.  After the fish have been weighed, the kids and parents will be treated to a hamburger & hotdog cookout with all the trimmings. The cook-out will take place at the picnic areas located in the Buster Hights camp area.  Hope to see you there for a fun day of fishing and eating.

In other club news, the club held a bass tournament at Hugo Lake on Saturday, May 7.  Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures and a light breeze.  The lake was fourteen feet above normal level and falling.  As most bass anglers know, a falling lake level makes it difficult to catch keeper size bass. Twenty-one anglers competed in the event and eleven of those were unable to boat a keeper bass.

Mike Burrage took first place honors with a stringer weight of 13.91 pounds.  Judd Thomas finished in second place with a stringer weight of 9.48 pounds. Third place was taken by Chuck Beck with a stringer weight of 8.82 pounds.   The big bass of the tournament weighed 4.08 pounds and was caught by Mike Burrage.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on May 21.  It will be held on Sardis Lake at Sardis Cove boat landing.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting.  The club will meet on Thursday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Members that entered the club’s turkey hunting contest and were successful should bring their turkey’s beard to the meeting to be measured so contest winners can be determined. 

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 5-7-16

 

Big Bass Rodeo results

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 45th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on April 23-24.   The big bass tournament was held on Pine Creek Lake. Sixty-five boats with one hundred twenty-five anglers were entered in the event.  The weather cooperated this year with clear skies and mild temperatures.  The lake, however, had risen nearly fifteen feet during the previous week.  The flood gates had been opened causing the lake to fall.  A falling lake level makes catching bass more difficult but despite this , several nice bass were caught.

Cash prizes and trophies were awarded to the top five finishers.  Monte Martin took home the first place trophy and cash prize for his bass that weighed 6.67 pounds.  Bub Cunningham finished in second place with a bass that weighed 5.90 pounds.  The third place bass was caught by Robert Roden.  It weighed 5.88 pounds.  Chuck Beck came in fourth with his bass weighing 5.35 pounds.  The fifth place finisher was Tom McBride.  His bass weighed 5.30 pounds.  Almost every angler that caught a bass that weighed over three pounds received a prize.  Altogether, sixty-five anglers received a prize or cash award.  From sixth place on down, anglers received prizes that ranged from rods and reels to battery chargers to assorted fishing tackle and boating supplies and store gift certificates.  Area merchants had either donated prizes or cash for these prizes.  Many of these merchants have supported the Big Bass Rodeo for its entire forty-five years and their support is what keeps making this tournament a success.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on May 7.  It will be held on Hugo Lake at Frazier Point boat landing.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:30 p.m.

TOP TEN STANDINGS 4-30-2016


BIG BASS RODEO TOP FIVE FINISHERS

Hugo Lake & Top Ten Standing

On Saturday, April 9, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  Twenty-four members competed in the event. Fishing conditions were good, with a stable lake level, mild temperatures and overcast skies for most of the day.  Most anglers had an exceptional day of bass fishing.  Sixteen anglers caught their six fish limit with several reporting they caught an additional 35 to 40 bass that were under the fourteen inch minimum length limit. Thirteen anglers had stringer weights over fifteen pounds.  A total of 320 pounds of bass were caught and weighed at the tournament.

Colton Fleming was the first place winner.  Colton had a stringer weight of 26.28 pounds.  Finishing in second place was Donald Wall with a stringer weight of 21.49 pounds.  Judd Thomas came in third with a stringer weight of 21.03 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Michael Boling.  It weighed 6.47 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be the 45^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo that is held on Pine Creek Lake.  It will take place on April 23-24.  Links to the Big Bass Rodeo flyer and entry form can be found on this web page. Club members will be making final plans for this year’s Big Bass Rodeo at their monthly meeting that will be held on Thursday, April 14.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.

 

Hugo Lake bass tournament

Pushmataha County Sportsman Club

Hugo Lake Bass Tournament

April 9, 2016

On Saturday, April 9, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  Twenty-four members competed in the event. Fishing conditions were good, with a stable lake level, mild temperatures and overcast skies for most of the day.  Most anglers had an exceptional day of bass fishing.  Sixteen anglers caught their six fish limit with several reporting they caught an additional 35 to 40 bass that were under the fourteen inch minimum length limit. Thirteen anglers had stringer weights over fifteen pounds.  A total of 320 pounds of bass were caught and weighed at the tournament.

Colton Fleming was the first place winner.  Colton had a stringer weight of 26.28 pounds.  Finishing in second place was Donald Wall with a stringer weight of 21.49 pounds.  Judd Thomas came in third with a stringer weight of 21.03 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Michael Boling.  It weighed 6.47 pounds

The club’s next bass tournament will be the 45^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo that is held on Pine Creek Lake.  It will take place on April 23-24.  Links to the Big Bass Rodeo flyer and entry form can be found on this web page. Club members will be making final plans for this year’s Big Bass Rodeo at their monthly meeting that will be held on Thursday, April 14.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Sarid Lake Tournament 3-26-16

 

On Saturday, March 26, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Sardis Lake.  Twenty-six members participated in the event.  Anglers started the day with temperatures in the mid-forties and a brisk breeze, which is quite typical for Sardis Lake.  Catching a keeper size bass proved to be difficult for many of the anglers.  Only one limit of six bass was caught.  Eleven anglers were not able to boat a single keeper.

Chuck Beck won the tournament with a four fish stringer that weighed 17.72 pounds.  Billy Latham finished in second place with a stringer of five fish that weighed 15.10 pounds.  Finishing in third place was Ellis Silvey with a three fish stringer weighing 13.04 pounds.  Ellis also had the big bass of the tournament with a 7.90 pounds bass.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on April 9 at Hugo Lake.  The club will launch for the Frazier Point boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 4:00 p.m.

We would like to remind everyone that our 45^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo will be held at Pine Creek Lake on April 23-24.  Anyone that enjoys fishing, winning cash, trophies and prizes is invited to attend.  More information will follow as the date draws nearer.

McGee Creek Bass Tournament 3-12-16

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their first bass tournament of the 2016 tournament season on Saturday, March 12.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake. Twenty-three members participated in the event.  The forecast had called for rain but most areas of the lake received only light drizzle at times.  The lake was four feet above normal.  Most anglers were successful in catching some bass with thirteen anglers bringing six fish limits to the weigh-in.

Colten Fleming won first place for the heaviest stringer with two bass that weighed 11.50 pounds.  Colten also won the big bass prize for his bass weighing 9.75 pounds.  Seth Wood finished in second place with a stringer weight of 11.23 pounds. Bradley Mills took third place honors with a stringer weighing 10.37 pounds. Several anglers reported that they had caught some nice bass, but they had to be released since they were in the lake’s protected slot length limit of 16 to 22 inches. Colten caught the only bass over the 16 to 22 inch slot limit.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, March 26 on Sardis Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be Sardis Cove boat ramp.  Fishing hours will be from “safe light” until 4:30 p.m.

 

45th Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday, March 5, 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 chicken, ribs, and brisket, homemade yeast rolls, soft drinks and side dishes prepared by club members and their spouses.  After the meal was finished, wildlife biologist Dakota Christian presented a program on the Honobia Creek and Three Rivers Wildlife Management Areas.

After Dakota had finished his presentation, members were presented their awards.  For spring turkey season, the club awards a prize based on the length of a turkey’s beard.  Winning the competition was Billy Hensley.  His turkey had a beard of 11 ¾ inches.  Eugene Hensley won second place with his turkey’s beard of 11 ¼ inches in length. Each received a plaque and a check for their share of the entry fees.

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;  Jon Tucker, Chuck Beck, Mike Burrage, Terry Thurman, Billy Hensley, Johnny Ivey, Eugene Hensley, Judd Thomas, Billy Latham, 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 Judd Thomas.  Judd had the largest stringer weighed in by a club member in a bass tournament.  His stringer weighed 22.00 pounds.  Ellis Silvey won the award for Big Bass of the Year. Ellis’ bass was caught at Sardis Lake and weighed 8.13 pounds.  Both received a plaque.  The club recognizes anglers that catch over 100 pounds of bass in our yearly tournaments by presenting them the “100 Pound Club” award.  Only two members qualified for the award this year.  They were Ellis Silvey and Billy Latham.  Both received a plaque.

In the deer archery season contest, Ellis Silvey took first place honors with Terry Thurman finishing in second place.  For deer primitive firearms season, Eugene Hensley won first place and Judd Thomas 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, Judd Thomas and Eugene Hensley.

Each year the club recognizes a business or person that consistently supports the club through their donations to club events.  The 2015 Sponsor of the Year Award was presented to McCraw’s Oil Company.

The club’s most prestigious award is the Sportsman of the Year Award.  This award is based on success in hunting, fishing, and participation in 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.  This year however, two members tied for the honor. The 2015 Sportsman of the Year Award was presented to Billy Hensley and Eugene Hensley.  Both received a plaque and split the one hundred dollar prize.

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 Phyllis Latham.  Billy Latham won the men’s door prize, an ABU Garcia Revo “S” baitcasting reel. 

The club’s first bass tournament of the 2016 season will be held on Saturday, March 12, 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 10.  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 web site.  The web address is www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.