Big Buck Event Celebrates Local Hunters

On a lively Saturday night at the AG Building in Graham County Fairgrounds, a crowd gathered to support hunting and celebrate achievements in the sport. The event marked nearly a year’s worth of efforts involving everything from acquiring firearms to coordinating prizes and securing sponsors.

Maycene Hawkins, president of the Southeast Arizona Sportsman Club, reflected on the preparations, noting, “I think it was about 10 months of work bringing everything together.”

This year’s event featured various presentations and raffle prizes, recognizing both adult and youth hunters for their top scores in mule deer and whitetail categories.

Top Adult Mule Deer Antler Scores

• 1. Jr Murdock – 175 5/8
• 2. Isabelaseballos – 165 3/8
• 3. Gil Bowman – 148 6/8

Adult Mule Deer Weights

• 1. Miguel Trujillo – 171.5 lbs
• 2. Daron Line – 155 lbs
• 3. [No third place listed]

Top Adult Whitetail Antler Scores

• 1. Mark Owens – 120
• 2. Richard Tarta – 112 3/8
• 3. Tim McCracken – 107 3/8

Adult Whitetail Weights

• 1. Tim Stacy – 97 lbs
• 2. Shana Wetten – 96 lbs
• 3. Jerome Wetten – 94 lbs

Youth Mule Deer Antler Scores

• 1. Diedra Adams – 159 2/8
• 2. Jaliyah Hernandez – 152 2/8
• 3. Rider Hinton – 138 5/8

Youth Mule Deer Weights

• 1. Calob Trujillo – 193 lbs
• 2. Cole Goodman – 155.5 lbs
• 3. Sean Trujillo – 123 lbs

Youth Whitetail Antler Scores

• 1. Ganon All Red – 108 1/8
• 2. Aiyanna Merino – 74 2/8
• 3. Cash Kelly – 65 7/8

Youth Whitetail Weights

• 1. Ella All Red – 92 lbs
• 2. [No second place listed]
• 3. [No third place listed]

Throughout the past year, the Southeast Arizona Sportsman Club has restored around 12 wildlife habitats and offered training and conservation activities focused on firearm safety for young enthusiasts.