ASHMONT – Hunters from across the Lakeland region and beyond gathered at the Ashmont Agriplex for Ashmont’s 41st Buck of the Season on Dec. 3.
Hunters who tagged a buck over the past hunting season showed off their entries at the Ashmont Agriplex, measured by professionals to find the best antlers in multiple categories. According to the Ashmont & District Ag Society, the group that organizes the event, there were over 40 entries submitted this year.
The Ashmont & District Ag Society recently took over the community event from the Jeffery family.
Scott Jeffery said the Jeffery family started the event back in 1980. Then, it was passed over to community member Bryan Bespalko for several years.
“Then, once we got older, my brother Steven and I were then able to pass it back into the family,” said Jeffery, adding, his dad and cousin also helped out.
The family ran the event for around 10 years before they decided to take a step back. Then, the Asmont Ag Society expressed interest in running the event.
“It’s a community event that’s been going on in the Ashmont area for 41 years,” explained Sean Dolan, who is part of the Ashmont & District Ag Society. “It’s an event where many people in the area come out to showcase the animals they’ve collected from the region.”
During this year’s event, there were multiple activities for hunters and visitors to enjoy. For example, vendors set up shops to sell merchandise related to hunting and fishing, as well as home crafts, food processing equipment, and even taxidermy.
“It’s a great place to do meet and greet,” said Dolan.
Craig Guinup, the winner of the moose category, said this year’s moose was “one of the biggest ones I’ve ever got.” Guinup grew up moose hunting, and getting the recent kill felt “like I paid my dues.”
“I’m blessed and thankful to get it,” said Guinup. “The meat is delicious – that’s the most important.”
Drew Andrashewski was the winner of the youth typical mule deer category. Laughing, he says he credits his successful hunt to “luck.”
“Caught it in the right place and the right time.”
Andrashewki, 17, has been hunting for around five to six years and he says it felt “awesome” to win on Saturday, stating he has “never won anything like this.”
Sharon Macdonald, the event chairperson and with Ashmont’s Ag Society, thanked all who supported the event.
“Without the community support from the various businesses, this event would never have happened,” said Macdonald. “As well as the awesome support we have from the community and our society members.”
She also thanked all the volunteers who worked hard to support the event, from “the kitchen to the scoring table at the other end of the hall.”
“It’s all volunteers that make this happen,” she said.
Winners:
Ralph Danderfer - Typical whitetail 198"
Shawn Wolgien - Non-typical whitetail 227 3/8"
Zachery Matthews - Typical mule deer 218 2/8"
Steven Ferleyko - Non-typical mule deer 208 6/8"
Crystal Anderson - Ladies whitetail 163 5/8"
Rebecca McAndrew - Ladies mule deer 168 6/8"
Rylee Yadlowski - Youth whitetail 174 5/8"
Drew Andrashewski - Youth mule deer 190"
Craig Guinup - Bull moose 135 4/8"
Derek Flack - Bull elk 372 6/8"
*This story was last updated on Dec.11 at 8:20 p.m. to include measurements of the winners.
