Iowa’s Biggest Big Buck Contest

Sponsored by Budweiser, the King of Beers, one of our most popular attractions at the Iowa Deer Classic is our Big Buck Contest which typically brings in over 350 trophy whitetails for scoring and display! Leader Boards are rotated for the many categories and on Sunday an Awards Ceremony showcases the biggest Iowa bucks of the year and awards the lucky Iowa hunters. Our first class display of entries is truly a sight to see!

 

How To Enter: It’s easy! Bring your trophy to the Iowa Deer Classic Big Buck entrance in the main lobby of Hy-Vee Hall and purchase a $20 Big Buck Contest entry ticket which includes a 3-day Show Pass(a $36 value) and official scoring of your whitetail. You will be asked to fill out a complete registration form and receive a numbered claim check which correlates to a registration tag that will accompany your whitetail. Security and safety of your trophy is always our number one concern. Your whitetail will be scored and on display at the show and may be picked up Sunday afternoon after 3:30 PM

 

Big Buck Special Award

 

• Best of Show

• Most Unusual

• Biggest Scoring Bucks (6 pt, 8 pt, 9 pt, 10 pt, 11 pt, 12 pt)

 

Big Buck Contest Rules of Entry:

 

• Contest open to hunters who legally harvested an antlered whitetail deer in the State of Iowa.

• Entries will be accepted starting 3:00 pm on Friday Feb 28, 2014 and close at 11:00 am on Sunday March 2, 2014.

• Antlers do not need to be mounted. Antlers must have a solid skull plate. 60 day drying period applies. ie: harvested before Dec 30,2013 to be scored Feb 28, 2014

      If your deer has been previously scored, you MUST bring a copy of the official score sheet.

      It will not be re-measured.

• Entry Fee is per Trophy and contestants will receive a FREE three-day pass (a $36.00 value), and entry in the prize drawing.

• Bucks must have been harvested in the Fall 2012/2013 or the 2013/2014 Iowa Hunting seasons to enter the Firearm, Archery, Muzzleloader, Crossbow, Ladies Archery, Ladies Firearm or Youth categories.

• Bucks harvested prior to Fall 2012 hunting season must be entered into the Historical category.

• To compete in the Youth Firearm or Youth Archery category, hunter must have been under 18 years of age at time of harvest.  Proof of birth date may be required.

• No previous Iowa Deer Classic winners are eligible for an award with the same trophy deer in the same category.

• Female entrants can choose whether to complete in the Ladies Archery category, Ladies Firearm category or in the appropriate method specific category (Firearm, Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader, Youth). Once entered, category cannot be changed.

 

 Awards and Judging:

 

• Awards will be given at 3:00 Sunday in the Big Buck display area.

• Trophies and Deluxe Place Ribbons are given for the top five (5) entries in four (4) categories: Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Firearm Typical & Non-Typical.

• Trophies and Deluxe Place Ribbons are given to the top three (3) entries in the following fourteen (14) categories: Muzzleloader Typical & Non-Typical, Youth Firearm Typical & Non-Typical, Youth Archery Typical & Non-Typical, and Historical Typical & Non-Typical and Ladies Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Ladies Firearm Typical & Non-Typical, Crossbow Typical & Non-Typical.

• Trophies and Deluxe Ribbons are given to the biggest 6 pt, 8 pt, 9 pt, 10 pt, 11 pt, and 12 pt bucks entered in the contest.

• Entries eligible for one Award only, and must be present at the Awards Presentation to win.

• Award Ribbons are awarded to all entries meeting Iowa DNR record list, Pope & Young Record Book or Boone & Crockett Record Book entry standards.

• All entries will be measured by Official Measurers using the Boone & Crockett and/or Pope & Young Scoring System. Bucks can be entered into the Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young Record Books if qualified for an additional fee. Bucks that qualify will be entered in the Iowa DNR record book for no charge.

• Each entrant is eligible for a Special Door Prize Drawing. You do not have to be present to win the drawing.

• Judging will be performed on Sunday afternoon. No entries can be picked up without permission before 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 2, 2014.

• Awards will be determined based on the Boone & Crockett score and/or Pope & Young score. Trophy deer must be present to win an award.

• You MUST have a Claim Check AND Proof of Identity to claim your entry. No exceptions. Security is a high priority at the show. We strongly suggest your trophy be locked in your car after return. No trophy deer will be allowed on the show floor after return.

 

SCORE ONLY: 

We offer the option to have your deer officially measured by our certified scorers.  It will NOT be entered in the contest or displayed.  Antlers may be picked up after they are scored. Priority is given to deer entered in the contest first. Cost $20.

 

BIG BUCK REGISTRATION:

Please print and fill out the Big Buck Registration Form to expedite the check in process. 

for a registration form.