Big bucks, big does and a grand prize bow

Nov 22, 2012

Photo: l-r Dennis Black, Bob and Kale Yearwood, LOLSC president Fred Lafferton, COFA president Ron Pethick and winner Tammy Dobbs at the Bishop Lake Outdoor Centre in Cloyne

Hunters in the north country had much to celebrate on the final day of the regular deer hunting season. And it was not just those who bagged the largest animals that won big. On November 18 at the Bishop Lake Outdoor Centre in Cloyne, the winners of the Conservationists of Frontenac Addington’s (COFA) 13th Annual Deer Contest were announced and Bishop Lake’s staff drew tickets for a plethora of prizes donated from local businesses.

COFA president Ron Pethick, who dreamed up the contest years ago, said that the beauty of the COFA contest is that all hunters who shoot a deer have a chance to win big. This year over 340 tickets were sold.

The event is one of COFA's biggest annual fundraisers and proceeds are put towards supporting a number of activities they run in the community, including an annual $400 bursary given to local area students, taking youngsters fishing, stocking speckled trout in area lakes, caring for deer in heavy winters and supporting their hatchery at Bishop Lake. All hunters and non-hunters were invited to enter the draw and apprentice hunters were invited to enter the contest free of charge. Congratulations to apprentice hunter Brandon Lloyd of Flinton who won for his 196 pound buck. In the first place categories were Archie Delyea of Kaladar, who took away the biggest buck (238 pounds) trophy and the $200 cash prize, as did Darcy Norris of Griffith for the first place doe, which weighed in at 132 pounds. Second place winners were Daryl Wilson of Harlowe and Wes Tyner of Marlbank, who each took away the $100 cash prize. Bev Boomhauer of Northbrook took home the Horton Team Realtree Cross Bow with an ultra scope package donated by Bishop Lake Outdoor Centre.

Representatives from the Land O' Lakes Sporting Club (LOLSC) were also on hand and their draw followed COFA's. The club is located on Gun Club Road near Kaladar, and all proceeds from the draw will be used to cover its administration and renovation costs. LOLSC secretary / treasurer, Margaret Shier, announced the winners. Tammy Dobbs of Cloyne took home one of the LOLSC's top prizes, the fully dressed Browning A-Bolt 243 calibre gun. Bill Hartin of Tamworth won second prize, a Traditions Buckstalker Camo Nickel 50 calibre gun. Congratulations to all the winners.

Ron Pethick, and Lake O’Lakes Sporting Club president Fred Lafferton both thanked all the businesses and the many volunteers who helped to make this year’s deer contest and the draws so successful. COFA supporters can mark the last Saturday in April on their calendars, which will be the date for their annual roast beef supper.