2016-17 Big Buck Bounty Contest

Josh Smith (right) of Brandon is presented the grand prize exotic hunt, a $3,500 value from McLain Lodge, by owner Buddy McLain at the Big Buck Bounty awards breakfast. Smith's name was drawn from all hunters over 21 who entered a deer in the annual contest.

Trey Williams won the youth gun division with this 167 1/8-inch buck at the recent Big Buck Bounty awards breakfast. Despite having a drop tine, this buck scored best as a typical.

But, Smith walks off with grand prize $3,500 exotic hunt

Pittman Edwards had the biggest deer but Josh Smith of Brandon walked away with the grand prize exotic hunt at the recent awards breakfast for the 2016-17 Big Buck Bounty Contest at McLain Lodge in Fannin.

Edwards, who was turkey hunting, missed the breakfast where his 186 1/8-inch buck was awarded the winner in both the men’s typical by gun division and the best overall buck. He won a Primos Double Bull Bullpen blind, a shoulder mount from Dan Heasley Taxidermy and a Browning Gun Case from Van’s Sporting Goods.

Smith, who was present, won the $3,500 hunt at McLain Lodge when his name was pulled from a list of all hunters, aged 18 or over, who entered the Big Buck Bounty during the 2016-17 deer season in Mississippi.

“Wow, cool,” was how Smith reacted when Buddy McLain handed him the certificate. “I can’t believe it.”

About 200 hunters and their family members attended the awards breakfast, as well as representatives from sponsors 100.9 the Legend and US 96.3 radio, Mississippi Sportsman Magazine, Tire Depot, Atwood Chevrolet, Country Boy Furniture and Construction, and attorney Richard Schwartz and Associates.

Scoring for the contest was based on green gross scores using the Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett measuring systems.

Winners included:

Women’s crossbow, typical: Melissa Bowman 105 1/8.

Men’s crossbow, typical: 1. Joel Alexander 144 2/8; 2. Dustin Venable 140 1/8; Tim Blocker 85.

Men’s crossbow, non-typical: Sam Sherrill 147 4/8.

Boy’s youth archery, typical: 1. Lee Hanks 141; 2. Rhett Gandy 100 3/8.

Men’s archery, non-typical: 1. Michael Agnew 170 4/8; 2. Nick Fulton 166 7/8.

Men’s archery, typical: 1. Brett Burnely 160 2/8; 2. Zachary Winstead 155 7/8; 3. Dave Shipp 153 3/8; honorable mention Taylor Bates 152 7/8.

Girl’s youth gun, typical: 1. Madison Keith 143 2/8; 2. Chloe Zohner 142 1/8; 3. Alli Beth Scott 138 7/8; honorable mention Charlie Gamberine 132 4/8.

Boy’s youth gun, typical: 1. Trey Williams 167 1/8; 2. Murphy Schoggen 157 7/8; 3. Colton Malone 142 1/8; honorable mention Peyton Copeland 142.

Women’s gun, typical: 1. Leigh Moreau 176 4/8; 2. Angela Parker 139 1/8; 3. (tie) Katie Schmidt and Samantha Williams 127 7/8.

Men’s gun, non-typical: 1. John Adcock 162 1/8; 2. Jeff Waldrop 117 3/8.

Men’s gun, typical: 1. Pittman Edwards 186 1/8 (also biggest buck in contest); 2. Austin Blakeney 166 3/8; 3. Stan Ethridge 163; honorable mention Chad Hathcock 160.