2024 Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday, March 2, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 53rd Annual Awards Banquet.   The banquet was held at the Wildlife Heritage Center and Museum.  Members and their families were treated to a meal of lasagna and chicken Alfredo along with salad and bread prepared by Roma’s Italian Restaurant.  Members were recognized for their achievements during the 2023 hunting and fishing contests.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2023 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.

The Top Ten Anglers of the Year were recognized next.  Each angler received a year plate for their perpetual plaque, or if this was their first time to make the Top Ten, they received a perpetual plaque with the year plate attached. 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 2023 were (from number 10 to number 1) Aubrey Davidson, Forrest Cave, Johnnie Ivey, Terry Thurman, Billy Latham, Tony Derby, Randy Janoe, Billy Hensley, Ellis Silvey, 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.

Fishing season ends each year with the club’s Annual Top Ten Tournament that allows the Top Ten Anglers, along with up to five wild card anglers, to compete against each other in one final tournament.  The winner of the 2023 Top Ten Tournament was Billy Latham.  Billy received a championship plaque for his win.

The Big Bass of the Year award was presented to Judd Thomas.  Judd caught a bass weighing 7.85 pounds at McGee Creek Lake during the September bass tournament.   Tony Derby won the award for the Heaviest Stringer of the Year.  Tony had a stringer weight of 17.16 pounds that was caught during a tournament in May on McGee Creek Lake.  He was presented 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’s bass tournaments in a season.  Only two members were able to catch over one hundred pounds.  They were Ellis Silvey with 109.62 pounds and Judd Thomas with 123.09 pounds.  Each received a plaque.

In the club’s deer archery season contest, Billy Latham 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.

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

In the rifle season contest, Judd Thomas won first place and Ellis Silvey finished in second place.  Each received a plaque and their 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, Judd Thomas was the only member to complete this task. Judd was awarded the Grand Slam plaque.

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 Mill’s Quick Lube and Clean, owner Bradley Mills, in Antlers, and Brannan’s Bass Shop in Powderly, TX.

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 2023 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 for his service and dedication.  This year, club president Billy Latham, was awarded a year plate for his perpetual plaque acknowledging his service of twenty-seven years as club president.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid Master Card, was won by Karie Larkins.  The men’s door prize, a Lew’s KVD LFS baitcast reel, was won by Forrest Cave.  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 2024 will be at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, March 9.  Launch site for the tournament will be the Buster Hights boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be from 8:00 to 4:00.  Club meetings are held at the Wildlife Heritage Center on the second Thursday of each month 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.