Saturday, March 5, 2016

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.

 

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