2021 Bass Tournament Schedule

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club approved the 2021 Bass Tournament Schedule at their meeting on December 10. Dates and locations are subject to permit approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers. With the Covid 19 virus affecting so many things at this time, changes may have to be made if permits are denyed or revoked thru out the year. Current information will be posted on our Facebook Page and on our website at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

December Meeting

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, December 10. Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m. There will be several items on the agenda. Members will approve the 2021 bass tournament schedule as well as nominate officers and board members. Elections will be held at the January meeting. Members wishing input on these or other items are urged to attend.

George Robert "Bob" Smith

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club is sad to announce the passing of one of our loyal members, George Robert Smith. We all knew him as Bob. At the time of his passing, Bob was serving as mayor of Stringtown, OK. Bob was a member that could be counted on to attend club meetings and other club functions and volunteer when the need arised. He loved God, his community, country, family, friends and the great outdoors. Prayers for his wife Kathy and the rest of his family. He will be missed by us all.

Top Ten Tournament: 9-19-2020

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club ended the 2020 bass tournament schedule with their Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 19.  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 ten, Ellis Silvey, Judd Thomas, Billy Latham, Randy Janoe, Kane Miller, Donald Wall, Kaleb Hensley, Kenny Briggs, Andy Cripe and Billy Hensley.  The club allows up to five wildcard contestants.  These positions are for members that have not missed more than two regular season tournaments.  Wildcard positions were filled by Brady Janoe, Forrest Cave, Josh Johnson, Don Deems and Julian Bailey.   Mike Burrage, the winner of last year’s tournament, was allowed to fish and defend his title.

Judd Thomas won the tournament with an impressive stringer weight of 20.59 pounds.  Ellis Silvey finished in second place with a stringer weight of 16.84 pounds.  Third place went to Kane Miller.  His stringer weighed 15.45 pounds.  Kenny Briggs took fourth place with a stringer weight of 14.27 pounds.  The fifth and final place was won by Billy Latham with a stringer weight of 13.35 pounds.  The big bass of the tournament was caught by Billy Hensley.  It weighed 5.81 pounds.  Each received a check for a share of the entry fees and the top ten prize pot.

Now that the bass tournament season has ended, members will turn their attention to the fall deer seasons.  Members 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: 9-12-20

Hugo Lake Bass Tournament September 12, 2020 Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their last regular season bass tournament of 2020 on Saturday, September 12. The tournament was held on Hugo Lake. Eighteen members participated in the event. Anglers enjoyed mild temperatures for most of the day. The lake level was about four and one half foot above normal and rising. Recent rains had caused the lake to rise, then fall as flood gates were opened and rise again with more rain. This fluctuation in the lake level made catching a bass extremely difficult. Not a single angler was able to catch a limit of six bass. Brady Janoe won the tournament with a stringer weight of 9.80 pounds. Ellis Silvey placed second with a stringer weight of 7.66 pounds. Billy Henlsey finished in third place with a stringer weight of 6.40 pounds. The big bass of the tournament weighed 4.07 pounds and was caught by Ellis Silvey. The club will hold its Annual Top Ten Bass Tournament on Saturday, September 19. 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 (from number 1 to 10) are Ellis Silvey, Judd Thomas, Billy Latham, Randy Janoe, Kane Miller, Donald Wall, Kaleb Hensley, Kenny Briggs, Andy Cripe and Billy Hensley. Also, last year’s Top Ten Tournament champion, Mike Burrage, automatically qualifies to defend his title. Those qualifying for a wildcard position are Brady Janoe, Forrest Cave, Colby Chandler, Joshua Johnson, and Don Deems. If any of the above listed are not able to compete, their position would be offered to those next in line that meet requirements for one of the five wild card spots. This means that Aubrey Davidson, Julian Bailey, Bob Smith and Eric Baskin might have the opportunity to compete IF any of the top ten anglers or any of the five wildcard contestants cannot fish. Those qualifying for the tournament must attend the club’s meeting on Thursday, September 17, 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 ($10.00 per season) 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. END

Sardis Lake: 8-29-20

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, August 29. The tournament was held on Sardis Lake. Twenty-three members participated in the tournament. Anglers endured temps that reached close to one hundred degrees with a heat index of one hundred ten degrees. Not only was it a hot, humid day, but the fish were not willing to cooperate either. Only two anglers were able to catch a limit of six bass. One angler had three bass with everyone else having two or less. Half of the anglers were not able to boat a single keeper.. Terry Thurman caught a limit of bass that weighed 12.37 pounds to win the tournament. Ellis Silvey, also with a limit, had a stringer weight of 10.56 pounds to place second. Judd Thomas finished in third place with a stringer weight of 5.95 pounds. Judd also had the biggest bass of the tournament with a bass weighing 4.32 pounds. The club’s next bass tournament, which is also the last regular season tournament, will be held on September 12, on Hugo Lake. Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, September 10. Launch site for the tournament will be the Frazier Creek boat ramp, providing the lake level is high enough for boats to launch from the ramp. It the lake level is to low, other arrangements will be made. This tournament will be followed one week later, on September 19, 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 2020 bass tournament schedule. TOP TEN STANDINGS: 8-29-20

Pine Creek Bass Tourney 8-15-20

On Saturday, August 15, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Pine Creek Lake. The lake level was slightly below normal with water temperatures reaching the low nineties. Anglers had warm and humid conditions at daylight and were faced with temps in the upper nineties with a heat index of one hundred ten degrees at the time of weigh-in. Nine anglers entered in the contest managed to catch their limit of six bass over fourteen inches in length. Most anglers were able to catch at least one or more keeper bass. Torre White won the tournament with a stringer weight of 14.79 pounds. Forrest Cave finished in second place with a stringer weight of 14.13 pounds. Johnny Ivey came in third. His stringer weighed 13.86 pounds. Torre White caught a bass that weighed 4.21 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament. The club’s next bass tournament will be held at Sardis Lake on Saturday, August 29. Fishing will begin at “safe light” and end at 3:30 p.m. Launch site for the tournament will be the Sardis Cove boat ramp. TOP TEN STANDINGS: 8-15-20

Noon to Noon Bass Tournament 2020

Thirty-one anglers competed against each other in the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club’s Annual Noon to Noon Bass Tournament held on McGee Creek Lake.  The twenty-four hour marathon began at noon on Saturday, August 1, and ended twenty-four hours later at noon on Sunday, August 2.  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, for this time of the year, and a steady breeze on both days.   Catching quality bass proved to be difficult for most of the contestants although a few were able to catch a bass over the 16-22 inch slot limit.  Only six anglers caught their six fish limit on Saturday.   Twelve were able to do so on Sunday.  Four anglers, Judd Thomas, Kaleb Hensley, Ellis Silvey and Billy Latham were able to catch a limit on both days.  Brittney Dalrymple caught a bass weighing 6.32 pounds to win the big bass jackpot for Saturday.  Josh Johnson caught a bass that weighed 6.13 pounds on Sunday to win the jackpot.  The only other bass over the slot limit was caught by Kenny Briggs. It weighed 5.32 pounds.

Ellis Silvey won the tournament with a stringer weight of 15.65 pounds.  Judd Thomas finished in second place with a stringer weight of 12.67 pounds.  Brittney Dalrymple took third place with a stringer weight of 10.17 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, August 15, at Pine Creek Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Lost Rapids boat ramp.   Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting.  The next meeting will be on Thursday, August 13.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 pm. 

Top Ten Standings: 8-2-2020

Hugo Lake: 7-18-20

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, July 18, at Hugo Lake.  Twenty-seven members participated in the event.  The lake level was slightly below normal.  The weather was hot and humid.   A slight breeze did offer some relief from the heat.  Catching a bass, much less a keeper bass, was quite challenging. Only one angler was able to catch a limit of six bass.  Eight anglers were unable to catch a single keeper bass.

Donald Wall managed to catch a limit of bass weighing 16.97 pounds to win the tournament.  Kane Miller finished in second place with a stringer weight of 10.91 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Colby Chandler.  It weighed 10.21 pounds.  Donald Wall caught a bass that weighed 3.95 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club’s next event will be the annual noon to noon bass tournament.  It will be held at McGee Creek Lake on August 1-2.  The tournament will begin at noon on Saturday and end at noon on Sunday.  A weigh-in will be held at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday.  After the weigh-in, anglers may return to fishing, or go home and return at their convenience to finish the tournament.  Anglers that have a limit of bass at the Saturday weigh-in cannot return to fishing until 12:00 midnight.  The final weigh-in will be held at noon on Sunday.  Stringer weights from both days will be added together to determine winners.  Members may pre-fish the lake until 12:00 noon on Friday, July 31.  After that, the lake will be off limits until the start of the tournament.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 7-18-20

 

 

Youth Fishing Tournament

On Saturday, July 11, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their annual free youth fishing tournament.  The tournament was held at McGee Creek Lake.  Thirty-nine young anglers competed in the event, which was the largest group since the club first starting holding the event.  The young anglers had to endure high temps and humidity, but most were able to catch a few fish, with perch being the most common catch of the day.

Cooper Standridge was the first place winner.  Cooper had a stringer weight of 6.60 pounds.  Cooper also caught a fish that weighed 1.58 pounds to win the plaque for the biggest fish.  River Edge finished in second place with a stringer weight of 6.25 pounds.  Kaleb Mason caught the third place stringer.  It weighed 5.64 pounds. These young 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. Approximately seventy-five adults and children were served.

The club’s next event will be a bass tournament on Hugo Lake.  It will be held on Saturday, July 18.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:00 p.m.  The tournament will launch from the Frazier Creek boat ramp and you must be a member to compete.

MOST OF THE YOUNG ANGLERS WITH THEIR PRIZES:

 

2020 Free Youth Fishing Tournament

Sardis Lake: 6-27-2020

A very strong, southerly wind greeted members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club as daylight broke over Sardis Lake on Saturday, June 27. Members were competing in a bass tournament.  The bite was slow.  Fifteen of the twenty-six anglers competing were unable to catch a single keeper bass.  Seven anglers were able to catch only one keeper 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 13.36 pounds.  Terry also caught the biggest bass of the tournament.  It weighed 4.55 pounds. Judd Thomas came in second with a stringer weight of 6.89 pounds.  Andy Cripe finished in third place with a stringer weight of 4.00 pounds.

The club’s next event will be the annual free youth fishing tournament.  It will be held on July 11, at McGee Creek Lake.  Any youth age 16 or under may participate.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Buster Hight boat ramp.  The young anglers can fish from the bank, fishing pier or a boat.  Rod and reels or cane poles, along with live bait or artificial lures may be used.  Any legal fish may be caught and weighed for the tournament.  After the tournament, anglers and their parents will be treated to a hotdog lunch with soft drinks and all the trimmings.  Fishing times will be from 8:00 to 12:00 with lunch following at the pavilion in the Buster Hight recreation area.

Top Ten Standings: 6-27-20

 

Pine Creek Tourney: 6-13-2020

Pine Creek Bass Tournament

June 13, 2020

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club competed in a bass tournament at Pine Creek Lake on Saturday, June 13.  Both the weather and the fish cooperated for a change.  The day started off with temperatures in the low sixties but quickly warmed to the low nineties by weigh-in.  Anglers enjoyed clear skies and light breezes.  The lake was 1.5 feet above normal and stable. Catching keeper bass was not too difficult as fifteen anglers caught their limit of six bass.

Randy Janoe won the event with a six fish limit that weighed 17.76 pounds.  Chuck Beck took second place with a six fish limit weighing 17.68 pounds.  Mike Burrage finished in third place, also with a six fish limit that weighed 16.23 pounds.  In a rare event, there was a tie for the biggest bass of the tournament.  Chuck Beck and Mike Burrage both caught a bass that weighed 4.19 pounds with both fishing from the same boat.  Prize money for big bass was divided between the two.

Usually, the club’s next activity would be the annual fish fry held during the Antlers Homecoming celebration.  Since homecoming has been canceled due to Covid-19, club members will have the weekend off.  This will be the first time in 36 years the club has not cooked and/or served at homecoming.  We hope to see everyone next year.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on Saturday, June 27, at Sardis Lake.  Fishing times will be from “safe light” until 3:00 p.m.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Sardis Cove boat ramp.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 6-13-2020

 

Hugo Lake Tourney: 6-6-2020

The Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on Saturday, June 6, at Hugo Lake. The lake level was about three feet above normal and falling.  The day started out hot and muggy and simply got hotter with temps reaching near one hundred by the end of the tournament. For most of the anglers, catching a keeper bass over fourteen inches in length proved to be difficult.  Only three anglers were able to catch a limit of keeper bass. 

Clay Armstrong won the tournament with a stringer weight of 14.72 pounds.  Clay also caught the biggest bass of the tournament.  It weighed 3.71 pounds.  Judd Thomas finished in second place with a stringer weight of 13.56 pounds.  The third place stringer was caught by Donald Wall.  His stringer weighed 12.49 pounds. 

The club’s next tournament will be on June 13, at Pine Creek Lake.  Launch site will be the Lost Rapids boat ramp. Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting that will be held on Thursday, June 11.  Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and are held at the Wildlife Heritage Museum.  For updates, check our Facebook page or our webpage.

TOP TEN STANDINGS:  6-6-2020

 

Big Bass Rodeo

Our Big Bass Rodeo is scheduled for May 30-30.  Pine Creek level is high and still rising but at this time we are still planning on having the tournament.  Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the latest updates.  If for some reason we have to postpone the tourney, info will be posted on Facebook.

Sardis Lake: 5-16-20

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club had a good turnout for their bass tournament that was held at Sardis Lake on Saturday, May 16, despite the weather forecast for thunderstorms and heavy rain.  Luckily, the rain held off until just after weigh-in was finished.  Despite descent weather for fishing, catching bass proved to be difficult.  Seventeen anglers were unable to catch a single keeper bass.  Only one angler was able to catch a limit of six bass.

Chuck Beck won the tournament with a stringer weight of 14.20 pounds.  Ellis Silvey placed second with a stringer weight of 10.08 pounds.  Third place was taken by Andy Cripe.  His stringer weighed 7.70 pounds.  Billy Latham caught a bass that weighed 6.52 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament.

The club will now focus on the 49^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  The big bass tournament will be held at Pine Creek Lake on May 30-31.  Headquarters for the tournament will be campsites H15-H17 in Little River South Park.  There will be a bonus cash prize of $500.00 given to the first place angler.  This is in addition to the regular prize money.  This was donated by Randy Wells of Sterling Hill Financial in Denison, TX.  Also, for the kids, Tadpoles Marine has donated $300.00 to be used as prize money.  One hundred dollars will be awarded to the angler, age 16 or under, that catches the biggest bass of this age group.  Also, $100.00 will be awarded to a youth that catches the smallest bass, over the tournaments minimum 16” limit and $100.00 will be given the youth that catches a bass weighing closest to the average between the largest and smallest bass.  In addition to this, Tadpoles Marine will also award $100.00 to the first angler to weigh in a bass that weighs exactly 4.00 pounds.

In other club news, the husband-wife bass tournament scheduled for June 6, at McGee Creek Lake has been canceled.  Instead, the club will hold a regular bass tournament on Hugo Lake at Frazier Point Landing, on that date.

TOP TEN STANDINGS:  5-16-20

 

 

McGee Creek: 5-9-20

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club started their bass tournament on McGee Creek Lake with very cool temperatures for May.  The temperature at the start of the tournament was forty-two degrees.  By finish time though, it has warmed to a comfortable seventy-two degrees. The tournament was held on Saturday, May 9, and thirty-five members competed in the event.

Twenty-five anglers were able to catch their limit of six bass.  No one was able to catch a bass over the 16-22 inch slot limit.  Kenny Briggs won first place with a stringer weight of 9.18 pounds.  Finishing in second place was Ellis Silvey.  Ellis had a stringer weight of 8.63 pounds.   He also caught a bass weighing 1.96 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament as well.  Hunter Wall was third with a stringer weight of 8.35 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be held on May 16, at Sardis Lake.  Launch site will be the Sardis Cove boat ramp.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting which will be held on Thursday, May 14. The club meets at the Wildlife Heritage Center and meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.  Plans will be finalized for the 49^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo.  The tournament is held on Pine Creek Lake and was postponed until May 30-31 due to the corona virus.   The pavilion has been closed so tournament headquarters will be at campsites H15-H17.  These are located just west of the pavilion, close to the water.

Members who entered the spring turkey contest and were successful are reminded that turkey beards will be measured to determine winners.  This will be the only time beards will be measured.  If a member can’t make the meeting, they should make arrangements for someone to bring it for them.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 5-9-20

McGee Creek bass tourney: 4-25-20

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held a bass tournament on April 25, at McGee Creek Lake.  Several anglers must have been suffering from “cabin fever’ due to the corona virus as this was one of the best turnouts of contestants in several years.  The weather was clear but very windy.  Most anglers were able to catch a limit of six bass.  Two anglers were able to catch a bass over the 16-22” slot limit.

Ellis Silvey won the tournament with a stringer weight of 14.81 lbs.  Ellis caught a bass that weighed 8.09 pounds to win the big bass of the tournament as well.  Finishing in second place was Kenny Briggs with a stringer weight of 14.50.  Kenny also had a bass over the slot limit that weighed 7.09 pounds.  Dennis Willeford finished in third place with a stringer weight of 8.26 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament may be on May 9, at McGee Creek.  A decision will be made before then and posted on Facebook.  A tournament is scheduled for Sardis Lake on May 16 but the club will not be allowed to hold the tournament unless restrictions from the US Army Corps of Engineers, due to the corona virus, are lifted. Once they are lifted, the club will return to its regular schedule of bass tournaments.  Check back with our page on Facebook for updates as well as our website at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 4-25-2020

Free Youth Fishing Tournament

The club’s free youth fishing tournament that was scheduled for May 2, at McGee Creek Lake, has been postponed.  We feel that even if the corona virus is winding down by then that it would still be in the best interest of the children to delay the tournament.  The tournament has been re-scheduled for July 11, at McGee Creek Lake, Buster Hights Landing.  As always, kids will win prizes until the supply of prizes is exhausted.  After the tournament the kids will be treated to a hotdog lunch with all the trimmings including soft drinks.  More information will be posted as the date draws closer.

McGee Creek Tourney, April, 25.

As of now, we are still on for our bass tournament on April 25, at McGee Creek Lake.  We will launch from the Buster Hights boat ramp.  Fishing times will be from 6:30 to 3:30.  Once again, we must practice “social distancing”.  Please, do not group up while waiting to pay your entry fee and the same goes for weigh-in.  Give yourself and the people around you some distance.

Just a reminder that turkey season opens for the southeast counties on Monday, April 20.  If you want to enter the club’s turkey season contest, entries should be made before season begins.  However, with the corona virus keeping everyone home, you may message the club and let us know you want to enter.  You will be required to pay your entry fee before you can enter any other club event.  You can enter at Silveys Tax or if you message the club, you may pay at Silveys or you can pay at the bass tournament on the 25^th.

Spring Turkey Season Contest

Spring turkey season for the southeast counties of Oklahoma will open on Monday, April 20.   Members wishing to enter the club’s turkey contest must do so before the start of season.  The entry fee is $10.00 per member.  Winners are determined by the length of the turkey’s beard.  The turkey with the longest beard wins 50% of the entry fees and the 2^nd longest wins 40% of the entry fees.  Each receives a plaque.  Entries can be paid at Silvey’s Tax service.  If you do not wish to get out due to the corona virus, just message the club and say you want to be entered.  The entry fee must be paid before you will be allowed to enter in any other club event.

The rules are fairly simple:

1.     Turkey must be taken in regular turkey season.  No bonus hunts, controlled hunts or special hunts allowed.

2.    Turkey must be taken in Pushmataha county or an adjoining county.

3.    Rules of fair chase must be followed and all rules set forth by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation must be followed.

4.    Beards will be measured at the next club meeting following the end of season.

McGee Creek Bass Tournament: 4-4-20

Nineteen members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club braved the cold temperatures, the drizzle and a stiff north wind to compete in a bass tournament on Saturday, April 4.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake.  The boat ramps at McGee Creek are in a state park and are still open for bass tournaments.  All US Army Corps of Engineers lakes are closed for tournament fishing at this time due to the corona virus.  Members did practice “social distancing” while signing in and during the weigh-in.

Even though the weather was not cooperating the fish were still willing to bite.  Fifteen of the nineteen anglers caught their limit of six bass.  Two anglers were able to catch a bass over the 16-22” slot limit.  Winning first place with a stringer weight of 13.91 pounds was Andy Cripe.  Andy also caught the big bass of the tournament.  It weighed 6.45 pounds.  Josh Johnston finished in second place with a stringer weight of 10.73 pounds.  Josh was also able to catch a bass over the slot limit that weighed 6.04 pounds. Finishing in third place was Billy Latham.  Billy had a stringer weight of 9.28 pounds.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on Saturday, April 25, also at McGee Creek Lake.  This will take place unless the park is closed due to the corona virus.  Fishing times will be announced later on the club’s Facebook page.  The club’s monthly meeting, which was scheduled for Thursday, April 9, has been canceled.

Top Ten Standings: 4-4-20

April Meeting Canceled

APRIL MEETING CANCELED:

The sportsman club will not hold their monthly meeting in April due to the Corona virus.  Hopefully we will be able to meet again on May 14.  The bass tourney on McGee Creek on April 4, is still a go at this time.  Fishing times will be from 7:00-4:00.  There are guidelines that we will need to follow. They are listed below.  While at the tournament, we will pole our members as to what time they would prefer to fish on the McGee Tourney scheduled for April 25.  Also, some have asked about either canceling or postponing the Husband-wife tourney scheduled for McGee on June 6 and maybe holding a regular tourney on Hugo that Saturday.  We may ask members for their opinion on this item as well.  Stay safe and help stop the spread of this virus.

Rules for holding a bass tournament at a state park:

1) We will not be able to gather in groups more than ten.

2) We must keep six feet apart.

3) At registration you will be issued a boat number.

4) At weigh-in, we will be able to weigh-in three boats at a time until all contestants are all weighed in.

5) The same rules will stand at weigh in, no more than ten people in a group and six feet apart.

The Youth Tournament, May 2nd, still remains scheduled at this time!

McGee Creek Tournament: 3-7-2020

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their first bass tournament of the year on Saturday, March 7.  The tournament was held on McGee Creek Lake.  Thirty members competed in the event.  Strong winds made fishing difficult but a few anglers were able to put together some nice stringer weights. 

Only five of the thirty anglers were able to catch a limit of six bass.  Eleven anglers were unable to boat a single keeper.  Club president Billy Latham was one of the anglers that was able to catch a limit.  Billy won the tournament with a stringer weight of 8.97 pounds.  Club vice-president Judd Thomas finished a close second with a stringer weight of 8.55 lbs.  Junior member Kane Miller finished in third place with a stringer weight of 8.45 lbs.  Kaleb Hensley was the only member that was able to catch a bass over the 16-22 inch slot limit. Kaleb won the big bass of the tournament with a lunker bass weighing 7.31 lbs.

The club’s next bass tournament will be on March 21, at Sardis Lake.  Launch site for the tournament will be Sardis Cove ramp.  Fishing times will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting which will be held on Thursday, March 12.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.

TOP TEN STANDINGS: 3-7-20

49th Annual Awards Banquet Review

On Saturday, February 29, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 49^th Annual Awards Banquet.  Members and their families were treated to a meal of smoked brisket and chicken, soft drinks and side dishes prepared by the members.  Members were recognized for their achievements during the 2019 hunting and fishing contests.

The club lost one its long time members last year, Eugene Hensley.  A plaque was presented in memory of Eugene recognizing his service to the club.  Eugene’s son, Billy Hensley, accepted the plaque.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2019 spring turkey season contest.  The length of the turkey’s beard determined winners. Winning first place was Billy Hensley.  Coming in a close second, by a mere 1/16^th of an inch, was Billy Latham.  Both received a plaque and a check for their 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 2019 were (from number 10 to number 1) Eugene Hensley, Terry Thurman, Forrest Cave, Chuck Beck, Kaleb Hensley, Mike Burrage, Billy Hensley, Billy Latham, Ellis Silvey and Bass Angler of the Year, Judd Thomas.  Judd received a plaque and a check for $100.00.  Judd was also presented with a custom “Bass Angler of the Year” shirt printed by club president, Billy Latham.

The Big Bass of the Year award was presented to Mike Burrage.  Mike caught a bass weighing 10.53 pounds at Sardis Lake during the September Top Ten Tournament.   Mike also won the award for the Heaviest Stringer of the Year.  He had a stringer weight of 22.52 pounds that was also caught during the Top Ten Tournament in September.  A plaque was presented to Mike for both.

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.  Only three members were able to catch over one hundred pounds.  They were Billy Latham with 108.51 pounds, Ellis Silvey with 154.04 pounds and Judd Thomas with 157.83 pounds.  Each received a plaque.

In the club’s deer archery season contest, Ellis Silvey won first place honors with Billy Hensley winning the award for second place.  Winners are determined by measuring the buck’s antlers using the Boone and Crockett scoring system.  Both received a plaque and a check for their share of the entry fee money.

Colby Chandler took first place honors in the deer primitive firearms contest.  Billy Latham finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

For the rifle season contest, junior member Kaleb Mason won first place.  Billy Hensley finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.  Kaleb was also surprised by receiving a mount of his deer head that his grandpa, Ellis Silvey, had done for him.

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 Colby Chandler.

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 Affordable Body Works in Antlers, OK.

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 a tie occurred for the award. Both Billy Hensley and Billy Latham were presented with the Sportsman of the Year award.  Each received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

Billy Latham was presented a plaque for his service as the 2019 president of the club.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid MasterCard, was won by Chelsie Thomas.  The men’s door prize, an Lew’s Speed Spool baitcast reel, was won by Kaleb Hensley.  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 2020 will be at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, March 7.  Launch site for the tournament will be Buster Hights boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be from 8:00-4:00.  You can also keep up with club activities on Facebook.

49th Annual Awards Banquet

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their 49^th Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, February 29.  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 2019 hunting seasons and bass tournaments. 

The meal will feature smoked brisket and chicken provided by the club.  Side dishes and desserts will be provided by members and their spouses.  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 Lew’s baitcast reel valued at $119.99.

Members are looking forward to their first bass tournament of 2020 which will be held on March 7, at McGee Creek Lake.  The fishing hours for the tournament will be from 8:00 to 4:00.  Launch site for the tournament will be at Buster Hights Landing.  Those wishing to join the club may do so before the start of the tournament. 

February Meeting Highlights

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13.  Plans were finalized for the club’s 49^th Annual Awards Banquet.  It will be held at the Antlers High School Cafeteria on Saturday, February 29. Members approved a $100.00 pre-paid Master card for the ladies door prize and a Lew’s bait cast reel for the men’s door prize.  Every child that attends will receive a prize.  The club will provide smoked brisket and chicken as well as soft drinks.  Members and spouses will bring side dishes and desserts.

Awards were also finalized at the meeting.  Plaques and prize money will be awarded at the banquet.  Also approved was a “tie breaker” rule for cases when members have the same amount of points for the Sportsman of the Year Award.  If a tie occurs, the member that finished highest in the Top Ten Standings will be chosen as the Sportsman of the Year.

The club’s first bass tournament of the season will be on Saturday, March 7, at McGee Creek Lake.  Fishing times will be from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Launch site will be the Buster Hight boat ramp.

February Meeting

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, February 13.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Wildlife Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.

On the agenda will be finalizing plans for the Annual Awards Banquet.  The banquet will be held on Saturday, February 29, at the Antlers High School Cafeteria.  It will begin at 6:00 p.m.  The club will provide a meat entrée and soft drinks with members and their spouses bringing side dishes and desserts.

Fishing times for the club’s first bass tournament of 2020 will be voted on at the meeting.  The tournament will be held on Saturday, March 7, at McGee Creek Lake. Also, winners of awards will be determined at the meeting so they can be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet.

January Meeting Highlights

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 9.  Officers and board members were elected during the meeting.  All 2019 officers were re-elected to their current positions.  They are: Billy Latham, president; Judd Thomas, vice-president; Billy Henlsey, secretary; Ellis Silvey, treasurer.  Board members were also elected.  They are Bob Smith, Kaleb Hensley, Colby Chandler, Chuck Beck, Forrest Cave and Mike Burrage.

Members who entered the club’s fall deer season contest and were successful had their antlers measured to determine winners.  For the deer rifle season contest, Kaleb Mason captured first place honors with Billy Hensley placing second.  In the deer primitive firearms contest, Colby Chandler won first with Billy Latham taking second place.  The deer archery season contest was still ongoing at the time of the meeting.  Archery season ends on January 15.  Ellis Silvey was leading the contest with a very nice buck that had a green score of 162 2/8. Billy Hensley was in second place. These places will be final unless another member is able to harvest a larger buck by the 15^th of January.

The Annual Awards Banquet has been set for Saturday, Feb. 29.  It will begin at 6:00 pm at the Antlers High School Cafeteria.  The club’s 49^th Annual Big Bass Rodeo has been set for April 25-26 at Pine Creek Lake.  The Club’s first bass tournament of the season will be held on March 7, at McGee Creek Lake.  For more information about the club, bass tournament schedules, or other items, check out our web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

January Meeting:

Members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, January 9.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Items on the agenda for this month include the election of officers and board members.  Nominations were made at the December meeting.  The 2020 bass tournament schedule was also approved at last month’s meeting and printed schedules will be available at this month’s meeting.

The date for the Annual Awards Banquet has been set for February 29, 2020.  The banquet consists of a meat entrée and soft drinks provided by the club with side dishes and desserts provided by the members and their spouses.  Awards will be presented to members that were earned during the previous year.

Members that entered the club’s fall deer season contest and were successful are reminded to bring their deer antlers to the meeting.  Antlers will be measured using the Boone and Crockett scoring system to determine the winners of each season.  This is the only meeting where antlers will be judged. If you are unable to attend, please make arrangements for another member to bring your antlers to the meeting.