The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page
MULE DEER CONTEST RETURNS
Just like the saying goes: it's back by popular demand!
Princeton Outdoor Supply will once again host a mule deer contest this Fall.
"Because it went so well, we have no choice but to do it again," says store owner Ron Young.
How well did the first ever contest of theirs go last year? Here are the stats: 229 total entries with 72 deer turned in.
"Everyone who turned in a deer won a prize and we're hoping for the same this year."
The second annual mule deer contest is bound to be bigger and better with 125 hunters already registered to participate in the event.
Ron, and his wife Loretta, say there will be bigger prizes and have added a few twists to the contest that will be revealed later.
"This year we've got people coming up from Vancouver Island, Texas and even New Zealand."
The contest features a random draw for a rifle for every 100 registered entrants. The first rifle will be drawn for on September 9th.
There are also numerous random draw prizes for any mule deer entered with the Grand Prize of a $1,000 in-store shopping spree for the hunter who has the highest gross score.
"We've had nothing but positive feedback about our contest," says Loretta.
The contest creates a slight injection into the local economy as the hunters from out of town will often spend money on a hotel room and purchase meals and fuel while in town.
The Princeton Outdoor Supply Mule Deer Contest runs from September 1st to November 10th (regular hunting season) and all registrants must be pre-registered to qualify.
Entry fee is $30.00 per hunter.
The only deer that can be scored with are ones taken from Region 8 and the Grand Prize for largest gross score will only see the largest antlers measured.
All hunters are expected to follow all rules and regulations, any suspected infractions are to be recorded and given to the local Conservation Officer to follow up.
Full head with antlers attached must be brought to Princeton Outdoor Supply within two days of harvest for measuring.
For more information on the Mule Deer Contest, contact either Ron or Loretta at (250) 295-0319 or 295-0450 or drop into their store at 259 Vermilion Avenue.
