2022 Awards Banquet

 

On Saturday, March 5, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 51st  Annual Awards Banquet.  The banquet was held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Members and their families were treated to a meal of smoked pork, smoked polish sausage, soft drinks and side dishes prepared by the members & spouses.  Members were recognized for their achievements during the 2021 hunting and fishing contests.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2021 spring turkey season contest.  The length of the turkey’s beard determined winners. Winning first place was Billy Hensley.  He was the only member entered into the contest that harvested a bird.  Billy received a plaque and a check for a 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.  Kindle Holiman placed fifth, Josh Johnson fourth, Randy Janoe third, Chuck Beck second and Billy Hensley finished in first place.  Billy 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 2021 were (from number 10 to number 1) Forrest Cave, Kindle Holiman, Billy Hensley, Andy Cripe, Randy Janoe, Chuck Beck, Kane Miller, Ellis Silvey, Billy Latham, and Bass Angler of the Year, Judd Thomas.  Judd received his plate for his perpetual plaque, a plaque for the Angler of the Year, 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 Jesse Ayers.  Jesse caught a bass weighing 0.81 pounds at McGee Creek Lake during the July bass tournament.   Randy Janoe won the award for the Heaviest Stringer of the Year.  He had a stringer weight of 18.06 pounds that was caught during a tournament in August on Pine Creek Lake.  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 one member was able to catch over one hundred pounds.  That member was Judd Thomas with 137.47 pounds for the year.  Judd received a plaque.

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

Billy Hensley 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.

There were no deer taken for the rifle season contest,

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 there was no one that qualified for the award.

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 The Convenience Center in Antlers, OK and Tadpoles Marine in Hugo and Mead, 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 2021 Sportsman of the Year was Billy Hensley. Billy received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

Each year the club recognizes the president of the club by awarding him a plaque for his service.  This year, club president Billy Latham, was awarded a perpetual plaque acknowledging his service of twenty-five years as club president.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid MasterCard, was won by Stephanie Hensley.  The men’s door prize, a Lew’s Tournament Series speed spool baitcast reel, was won by Judd Thomas.  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 2022 will be at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, March 12.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Buster Hight boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be voted on at the club’s monthly meeting on Thursday, March 10.  Meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and begin at 7:30 p.m. You can keep up with club activities on Facebook or on their web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.

END

Billy Latham, president

Pushmataha County Sportsman Club