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.