KAGAWONG—Each fall during the white tail deer rifle season, which begins this Monday, November 18, Bridal Veil Esso hosts a contest which is open to individuals and hunt camps on the Island. Hunters bring in their (field dressed) deer to be weighed to vie for the biggest buck and doe.
Proceeds raised from the event go toward local charities. Last year’s benefactors were the Billings Library and the Old Mill Heritage Museum.
The contest began in 1991 by owners Dave and Sharon Montgomery. When daughter Debbie and husband Brad Graham took over the store in the late ‘90s, they kept the tradition alive. Last year the number of entries was up from past years and a total of 28 prizes, which are donated by businesses and individuals in the area, were handed out.
Cost to enter the contest is $10 per person or $50 per camp.
Last year’s winner, Ram Thiru, took top honours in the biggest buck category with his 208-pound deer. Mr. Thiru had won the biggest doe the previous year having taken up hunting less than five years before.
Top doe last year, weighing in at 140 pounds, was harvested by the Lance Greenman camp.
Prizes have already started coming in. To register your camp or sign up as an individual, call 705-282-2593 or drop in at 31 Main Street Kagawong.
Sharon Jackson
