Hunters can show their prowess by entering their big game harvest in this year’s Texas Big Game Awards program.
The program is accepting entries now through Feb. 15.
The Texas Big Game Awards, celebrating its 24th year, is a partnership from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Wildlife Association.
It recognizes the contributions landowners, land managers and responsible hunters make to managing and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat on Texas’ private lands.
Hunters who harvest a white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina or pronghorn antelope this season meeting the minimum net score requirements set for their respective region may be eligible to receive recognition in the “Scored Entry” category.
Scoring is done by local certified Texas Big Game Awards scorers using the Boone & Crockett Club Scoring System.
The entry is free.
The landowner from where the entry was taken also is eligible to be recognized. In addition, hunters that harvest a bighorn sheep during the current season are eligible for recognition.
Hunters of any age who harvest their first big game animal in Texas are eligible for the “First Big Game Harvest” category.
Hunters who harvest a white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina, pronghorn antelope or bighorn sheep are eligible, regardless of sex or score of the animal in this category.
All youth hunters (hunting under a valid youth hunting license) are eligible for the “Youth Division.”
Three regional Sportman’s Celebration banquets will take place. All program participants will be recognized and receive a certificate. Participants who are unable to attend will be mailed their certificate at some point after their ceremony has been completed.
Region 1-3 will celebrate on June 27 in San Angelo at the McNease Convention Center.
The state banquet is set for July 10 in San Antonio at the J.W. Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa, which will occur in conjunction with the TWA annual convention.
For information, visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.org or call 1-800-839-9453.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. (Logo provided by the TPWD, no copyright infringement inferred)