Hunters can show their Texas pride by entering their big game harvest in this year’s Texas Big Game Awards program. The program is accepting entries now through Feb. 15, 2015.

Celebrating its 24th year, the Texas Big Game Awards is a partnership of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Wildlife Association recognizing the contributions landowners, land managers and responsible hunters make to managing and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat on Texas’ private lands.

Texas Big Game Awards promote awareness about wildlife management and the role that hunting plays in habitat conservation, and to foster cooperation among stakeholders who ensure that our state’s wildlife habitat is conserved forever.

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 TBGA scorers using the Boone & Crockett Club Scoring System and entry is free. The landowner where the entry was taken is also eligible to be recognized. Also, hunters that harvest a bighorn sheep during the current season are eligible for recognition through the program.

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) who harvest a white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina, pronghorn antelope, or bighorn sheep are eligible for the “Youth Division,” regardless of sex or score or the animal.

For more information on the Texas Big Game Awards, entry information, or for a local certified TBGA scorer, visit www.TexasBigGameAwards.org or call 800-839-9453.

Three Regional Sportsman’s Celebration banquets will be held during the program’s 25th anniversary in 2015 to honor program participants. These Sportsman’s Celebrations are coordinated by the Texas Wildlife Association. All program participants will be recognized at their Regional Sportsman’s Celebration and will receive a certificate acknowledging their entry. Participants who are unable to attend will be mailed their certificate at some point after their ceremony has been completed. No awards of monetary value will be given, only certificates.

All awards for each category will be presented only at the Regional Celebration for the region of harvest. A Statewide Celebration will be coordinated by TWA in conjunction with the TWA Annual Convention held each summer. The top three animals statewide in each category will be recognized and receive a special award at the statewide ceremony.

Texas Big Game Awards 2015 Regional Banquet Schedule

Region 5, 6, 7

May 16 – Lufkin, Pitser Garrison Convention Center, 601 N 2nd St

Region 4 & 8

June 20 – Uvalde, SSGT. Willie De Leon Civic Center, 300 E Main St

Region 1, 2, 3

June 27 – San Angelo, McNease Convention Center, 500 Rio Concho Dr.

State Banquet (in conjunction with TWA Convention)

July 10 – San Antonio, JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa, 23808 Resort Pkwy