2nd Annual Big Buck Rendevous

2nd Annual Big Buck Rendezvous A Huge Success

By OVO Staff

On September 17, Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine and the Rogers Community Auction hosted the 2nd Annual Big Buck Rendezvous. This was the first year that the annual event was moved from December to September. Was it a success? You bet your buck!!!!!

Seventy exhibitors greeted thousands of Ohio Valley hunters to score deer, conduct a gun auction, see our Taxidermist competition, hear seminars and view and try a wide variety of hunting and fishing products.

Not only did area sport clubs run the kitchen, they conducted raffles, sold tickets for events and presented show participants with information on their clubs and, in some cases, signed up new members.

The turnout was several times what we had expected. This is the first year the show was held in September, which will surely become a yardstick for area events of the future.

In addition to the drawing for the Ohio Valley Outdoors Choice Sweepstakes, we also gave away a Knight In-line muzzleloader from tickets presented to those who brought in any type deer rack. We were thrilled that 281 hunters took advantage of that drawing. Trophies were awarded to the person presenting the largest non-typical deer, typical deer, deer taken by a lady and deer taken by a hunter under 15-years-of-age.

Winners for the trophy presentation were Robert Schilling for the non-typical, with a net score of 189 2/8. Eric Gandee had the largest typical buck with a score of 168 7/8 Brent Gray not only won the OVO 15-and-under trophy, but also made The Buckeye Big Buck Club with his 151 5/8 class buck. Terri Cherry won the woman’s trophy with a PA rack that scored 140 4/8 non-typical

Our first OVO Taxidermist competition was won by Brucker Taxidermy.

The choice sweepstakes for a hunting trip, hand carved gun, fishing trip and bow or crossbow drawing where won by Brian Waclaski-Burghill, OH,, Paul Robertson- Struthers, OHKevin KurI-Tiltonsville, OH and James Harvey of New Manchester WV

A consignment auction was conducted by Ken and Bill Baer and was termed by them as a great success.

Here are what a few of the exhibitors said about the rendezvous:

"The Ohio Valley Outdoors Deer Rendezvous was an exceptional event that simply blew me away! Not only were hundreds and hundreds of hunters attracted from several different states, but families were welcomed as well. The Ohio Division of Wildlife will look forward to participating in an even larger event next year!" Jamie Graham Ohio Division of Wildlife.

"It was a well-planned event with activities for everyone. The timing was perfect in getting the hunter ready and prepared for the hunting season." Phil Dawson Walnut Grove Hunting Products.

“ I thought the Deer Rendezvous went rather well. It was well organized. I'm looking forward to attending next year" .Ken Kelm Snuff and Stuff Taxidermist.

The list of “who-to-thank” might go on here for several pages! First, THANK YOU to Ken and Bill Baer, who not only let us use their facility, but also did a lot to promote the show.

Thanks to the Beaver Creek Sports Club, who not only provided a great breakfast and lunch, but also sponsored our gun raffle.

OVO Staffers Kathy Freeman, Joe Fitzwilliams, Dave Freeman Jr., William Henrich, Jeff Weber, Brian Moore, Ralph Scherder and Lori Mizer

Thanks also to Ohio Big Buck Club Members Randy Pepper, Bill Lawrence, Jerry Winegard and Ray Ward.

Thanks most of all to the thousands of sportsmen who who showed up.

What about next year?

Mark September 16th on your hunting calendar for an even bigger and better Ohio Valley Big Buck Rendezvous.

More exhibitors, more deer, more prizes and more products.

Photos Opens in a new window which you can close and return to this page.