Grand Prize Drawing: Everyone who registers for the contest is automatically entered into a random drawing for a 4-day, fully guided South Texas trophy buck hunt valued at $5,000, courtesy of Briscoe Gates Ranch.  The Briscoe Gates is a 20,000 acre low fenced brush country ranch in the golden triangle of South Texas and has been under a professional quality deer management program for over 20 years.  This is a photo of one buck taken at the Briscoe Gates last season.  Visit their website to learn more about this special grand prize hunt. 


Biggest Overall Buck: The winning entry in this category is simply the highest scoring buck harvested by any means and on any property - all other category entries are automatically eligible to win in this category.  A very special prize for biggest overall buck will be announced at the Sportsman's Night event (need not be present to win).  The winner of this category will also win in another general category below. 


Biggest 8 Point: The winning entry in this category is the highest scoring 8 point buck harvested by any means an on any property - all other category entries are automatically eligible to win in this category.  The prize for this category is a complete deer feeder and three deer feeder helper units, courtesy of deerfeederhelper.com.


Heaviest Hog: The winning entry in this category is the heaviest wild hog harvested by any means and on any property (net weight - after field dressing).  Please note, trapped hogs are not eligible as entries in this category.  The prize for this category is a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun Model 1895!


Heaviest Doe: The winning entry in this category is the heaviest whitetail doe harvested by any means and on any property (net weight - after field dressing). 
The prize for this category is a new Bradley Digital Smoker!

Biggest Buck Traditional: The winning entry in this category is the highest scoring buck harvested on any property using only traditional bowhunting equipment (e.g., longbow or recurve).  The prize for this category is a custom youth longbow by acclaimed Austin bowyer Bob Sarrels. 


Best Wildlife Photo - Live Deer: The winning entry in this category is the best photograph of a live whitetail deer taken with any camera/film and on any property (scoring done by a 3 judge panel).  The prize for this category is top of the line digital camera equipment valued at over $400(specifics TBA). 


Best Non-Deer Wildlife Photo: The winning entry in this category is the best photograph of any animal other than a whitetail deer taken with any camera/film and on any property (scoring done by a 3 judge panel).  The prize for this category is a digital memory package comprising of three 500 GB external hard drives, courtesy of GCS Technologies. 

Biggest Buck LF - RIFLE: The winning entry in this category is the highest scoring buck harvested with a rifle on a low fenced property.  The prizes for both North and South zones in this category are a 30-06 Remington 700 SPS in Mossy Oak Camo complete with sling, scope, and hard case, courtesy of AFP!


Biggest Buck HF - RIFLE: The winning entry in this category is the highest scoring buck harvested with a rifle on a high fenced property.  The prizes for both North and South zones in this category are a new 30-30 Marlin Model 336 lever action rifle. 



Biggest Buck LF - ARCHERY: The winning entry in this category is the highest scoring buck harvested with a bow on a low fenced property.  The prizes for both North and South zones in this category are a new Mathews DTX bow. 


Biggest Buck HF - ARCHERY: The winning entry in this category is the highest scoring buck harvested with a bow on a high fenced property.  The prizes for both North and South zones in this category are a new Mathews DTX bow. 


Biggest Buck Youth (17 and under) - RIFLE: The winning entry in this category is the highest scoring buck harvested with a rifle on any property by a youth hunter age 17 and under.  The prizes for both North and South zones in this category are a $300 Cabela's gift card!


Biggest Buck Youth (17 and under) - ARCHERY: The winning entry in this category is the highest scoring buck harvested with a bow on any property by a youth hunter age 17 and under.  The prizes for both North and South zones in this category are Double Bull Matrix 360 archery blinds, courtesy of Primos!

   

TOURNAMENT RULES & SPECIFICS

1.  Buck entries must be submitted with an affidavit or other documentation by a taxidermist or certified measurer, and must include a photo of the hunter with game.  Scoring is in gross inches, without deductions.  Winners are subject to score and tag/license verification. 

2.  Entries for weight categories (heaviest doe and hog) should contain some proof of weight (e.g., photo of harvested animal on gambrel scale, written documentation of weight, etc), and also must include a photo of the hunter with game. 

3.  Wildlife photo submissions on printed media must be at a minimum 8" x 10"; if digital must be of sufficient resolution to be judged adequately when printed as an 8" x 10"

4.  Wildlife photography categories will be judged subjectively by a panel of judges, none of whom will participate in the contest.  Additionally, all photos may be displayed both on this website as well as during the Sportsman's Night event.

5.  South Zone for general deer categories is any of the 30 counties listed by Texas Parks & Wildlife as "South Texas."  All other counties are North Zone.   Visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/season/deer/south/ for details.

6.  Hunters may only submit entries harvested after registering.  Entry form(s), along with above required documentation, must arrive no later than February 1, 2009, and be sent to: Young Life Austin West Deer Tournament, 2525 Kramer Lane # 102, Austin, TX 78758.  You may also submit documentation and photos via email to info@deertournament.com.