Annual Extravaganza contest has helped shape deer management
Without a doubt, one of the most popular hunting attractions in Mississippi each year is the Big Buck Contest display at the annual Wildlife Extravaganza in Jackson.
But it could even be more than that.
“It can be argued that the display, showing what is possible with proper management, has played a big role in advancing deer management practices in Mississippi,” said Rick Dillard, a biologist with the U.S. Forest Service in Mississippi and a founder behind the Magnolia Records Program. “Each year we have on display many of the biggest bucks taken the previous season. Over the years, I think people have left the display thinking positive about what they or their camp needs to do to produce quality bucks.”
The 28th annual Wildlife Extravaganza, including the Big Buck Contest, will be held Aug. 1-3 at the Trade Mart in Jackson. In addition to the contest, which is open only to deer taken legally in Mississippi during the 2013-14 deer season, the show serves as an official scoring session for the Magnolia Records Program. Deer taken during any season can be entered in the program.
Here are rules for the Big Buck Contest and Magnolia Records:
* There is no entry fee and participants will receive a free pass to the show.
* Mounts must be registered under the name of the hunter who took and recovered the deer. Mounts not registered under the name of the hunter will be disqualified.
* Mounts must be brought to the Trade Mart between 3-9 p.m. on Friday or between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday.
* Without exception, mounts may be removed only between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m. on Sunday. When bucks are entered, hunters will be given a receipt that will be required to pickup the mount.
* The scorers will determine typical and non-typical classes during the scoring process.
* The minimal score for the purpose of the Magnolia Records Program is 125 typical and 155 for non-typical.
* All entrants of the Magnolia Records Program and the Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza’s Big Buck Contest will receive a Certificate of Participation and will be entered into a drawing for a $300 cash prize.
* Winners of the Big Buck Contest will receive a ribbon, a certificate and will be photographed to be included in MWF’s magazine, Mississippi Wildlife.
* Announcement of the Big Buck Contest winners, gift certificate winner and cash-drawing winner will be held on stage at 4 p.m. Sunday.
* If a deer has been officially Boone & Crockett, Longhunters, Pope & Young or Magnolia Records Program scored, please denote the score on the registration form and submit the official score record with your mount.
Show info
What: 28th annual Wildlife Extravaganza, sponsored by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation.
When: Friday, Aug. 1, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 2, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and, Sunday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Mississippi Trade Mart, on the Fairgrounds in Jackson.
Tickets: Daily admission is $10 adults; $5 children 6-12; and, free to children 5 and under. Friday is kids day and all children 12 and under are admitted free.
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