CHERRY GROVE – It was a long-awaited return of the Cherry Grove Big Buck Night, and the full-day event did not disappoint with more than half of the registered entries racking up an award, prize or in some cases both, acknowledging the best of the season.
After a four-year pause, the Cherry Grove Recreation and Agriculture’s Big Buck Night sub-committee was excited to once again host the event on Jan. 14. There was a total of 27 entries, including eight youth, four women, and three moose entries, along with four competing in the elk category.
This year’s participants came from as close as Cherry Grove to as far away as Lethbridge, and nearly everywhere in between, said event organizer and president of the Big Buck Night sub-committee Zach Stonehocker.
Members of the public was able to attend and enter their best rack of the season in the Big Buck Night as long as they pay their entry fee to the show.
Any surplus funds raised through the event will go back to the Ag society and may be used for youth programs in the future, said Stonehocker.
The annual event started in 2001 after five community members came together and started a non-profit to host the Big Buck Night. In 2019, the decision was made to dissolve the non-profit and join the Cherry Grove Ag society as a sub-committee.
Award winners
Largest racks:
Moose - Andrew Somers with a net score of 170 5/8
Non-typical Whitetail deer - Shawn Wolgien with a net score of 217 0/8
Typical Whitetail deer - Dustin Hrehorets with a net score of 158 7/8
Elk - Derek Flack with a net score of 366 0/8
Ladies Category:
Mule deer - Gillian Lobe with a net score of 154 3/8
Whitetail deer - Brandy Billings with a net score of 141 2/8
Archery:
Whitetail deer - Marius Cyr with a net score of 139 6/8
Elk - Tyler Lawerence with a net score of 258 0/8
Youth:
Whitetail deer - Hailey Lobe with a net score of 147 0/8
Smallest rack:
Typical Whitetail deer - Annabelle Iverson with a net score of 90 1/8
