2021 Awards Banquet

 On Saturday, March 6, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 50^th Annual Awards Banquet.  For the first time ever, the banquet was held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Members and their families were treated to a meal of smoked brisket, smoked polish sausage, soft drinks and side dishes prepared by the members & spouses.  Members were recognized for their achievements during the 2020 hunting and fishing contests.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2020 spring turkey season contest.  The length of the turkey’s beard determined winners. Winning first place was Clay Armstrong.  Finishing in second place was Judd Thomas.  Both received a plaque and a check for their share of the entry fees.

Anglers that placed in the club’s Top Ten Bass Tournament that was held in September were next to be recognized.  The top ten anglers, along with five anglers that qualified for wildcard positions, competed in the tournament.  Billy Latham placed fifth, Kenny Briggs fourth, Kane Miller third, Ellis Silvey second and Judd Thomas finished in first place.  Judd received a plaque for his win.

The Top Ten Anglers of the Year were recognized next.  Each angler usually receives an embroidered patch but this year, a perpetual plaque was awarded. Each year an angler makes the Top Ten, he will receive a year plate to be added to his plaque.  The Top Ten Anglers for 2020 were (from number 10 to number 1) Billy Hensley, Andy Cripe, Kenny Briggs, Kaleb Hensley, Donald Wall, Kane Miller, Randy Janoe, Billy Latham, Judd Thomas, and Bass Angler of the Year, Ellis Silvey.  Ellis received his perpetual plaque, a plaque for the Angler of the Year, and a check for $100.00.  Ellis 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 Ellis Silvey.  Ellis caught a bass weighing 8.09 pounds at McGee Creek Lake during the April bass tournament.   Judd Thomas won the award for the Heaviest Stringer of the Year.  He had a stringer weight of 20.59 pounds that was caught during the Top Ten Tournament in September.  Both were presented with 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.  Only two members were able to catch over one hundred pounds.  They were Ellis Silvey with 125.97 pounds and Judd Thomas with 123.23 pounds.  Each received a plaque.

In the club’s deer archery season contest, Colby Chandler won first place honors with Billy Latham 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.

Kane Miller took first place honors in the deer primitive firearms contest.  Ellis Silvey finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

For the rifle season contest, Colby Chandler won first place.  Judd Thomas finished in second place.  Each 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 seasons; archery, primitive and rifle seasons.  This year only one member was able to achieve this goal.  That member was Judd Thomas.

Each year the club recognizes a sponsor that consistently supports the club and the Big Bass Rodeo.  This year, two sponsors were recognized and presented a plaque.  The “Sponsor of the Year” award was presented to Byron’s Tire in Antlers, OK and Janoe’s Garage & Used Cars 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 club participation and success in the field.  The 2020 Sportsman of the Year was Judd Thomas. Judd received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid MasterCard, was won by Martha Hensley.  The men’s door prize, an ABU Revo SX baitcast reel, was won by Colby Chandler.  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 2021 will be at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, March 13.  Launch site for the tournament will be Buster Hight boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on March 11.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 p.m.