The 4th Annual Beachburg Community Hall Deer Contest surpassed last year’s participation, with 173 adults and 14 juniors submitting deer kills for weighing, with the results revealed at an outdoor raffle and draw at the Beachburg Agricultural Grounds on November 20th at 1:30pm.
“It’s more registration, more juniors, more deer brought in.” Event speaker Gary McLaughlin said, saying proceeds are once again going to the continued maintenance of the Beachburg Hall.
He said he was pleased with the turnout despite the trials for hunting this year.
“It was tough hunting.” he said. “They say the agricultural land is better than the bush, but I didn’t see it. I don’t know where they found the deer, because I couldn’t do it, but they’re there somewhere.”
32 deer were submitted and weighed,
He also thanked his brother, Jeff McLaughlin, for organizing the Contest and promoting it.
“He’s put endless hours and miles into making this a success.” he said.
He also called on the community in attendance to give feedback on how the event was run.
“If you say that this was s*** and should have been done differently, let us know.” McLaughlin said to the gathered hunters . “We’re very interested in your feedback.”
In the adult hunters, Sarah Fraser won the top Buck weight with a 224 pound buck deer, followed by Tanner Bromley at 204 and Justin Zadow at 197.
Jeff Eithier brought in the heaviest doe at 120.4 pounds, with Jordan Hobbs in second with 120 and Jimmy Bertrand with 117.2.
In the Junior Hunters, Sophie Dwyer brought in the top buck at 227.2, in her first ever kill deer-hunting.
“It’s Sophie’s first deer, and it’s a monster.” Gary McLaughlin said.
Jacob Schroder came in second with a 200.6 pound buck, and Conor Reist in third with a 171.8 pound.
In does, Cameron Coughlin was the top junior with a 119 pound doe, followed by Owen MacKay, with 70.8 pounds.
There was also a ‘mystery weight’ category for a random weight where the winner was the closest to a random number, in this case 107 pounds, won by Joseph LaBlanc with at 105.4 pound doe.
Jeff McLaughlin also praised the juniors for their involvement and the Shroeder family for helping many new hunters get out and hunt.
“The Juniors kicked butt, and the girls kicked butt this year.” he said.
“I’m all about the juniors.” Jeff said.
Raffle prizes were donated from community businesses, including Make em Horny Deer Feed. And a knife from local Whitewater Forge.
Principle was a handcrafted knife made by artisan Murray St. Amour, awarded to Judy Hoffman in the raffle.
Jeff McLaughlin said that raffle ticket sales exceeded $900 for the knife, up from $600 the previous year.
“We’re looking forward to next year.” Jeff said.
