Charlie Blackwell of Grand Portage and Walker, Minn., claimed the prize for the number 1 rated buck in the state in the “Bucks over 200 Pounds” division of the Big Buck Challenge. His buck weighed in at 252.75 pounds with a 25-inch antler spread.
It was a very successful deer season for a number of local deer hunters. They not only got a buck or a doe, they were winners in the statewide Big Buck Challenge sponsored by Mills Fleet Farm, Central Boiler and Hunter’s Specialties.
Charlie Blackwell of Grand Portage and Walker, Minn., was the big winner, bringing in the number 1-rated buck in Minnesota in the “Bucks over 200 Pounds” category at 252.75 pounds. Blackwell won’t say where he got the big buck other than “in Cook County,” but he did tell the News-Herald that he had been hunting it for three years. The buck’s antler spread is 25 inches and the taxidermist aged him at 7½ years old.
Blackwell wins a Polaris Ranger 400 and a mount for his magnificent buck by Sprint Creek Taxidermy.
Dallas Smith, formerly of Grand Marais, took the win in the “Biggest Doe” category with a doe weighing in at 160.16 pounds. Smith wins a Polaris Sportsman 500.
Above: Brian Schroeder of Grand Marais took 4th place in the “Bucks under 180 Pounds” category with a nice 179.58-pound buck. Schroeder won a Thompson center impact .50 muzzleloader. Left: Also winning in the “Bucks under 200 Pounds” category was Cory Pederson of Grand Marais. He came in 10th with his 197.71-pound buck. Pederson takes home a Big Max 4’x8’ utility trailer.
Another winning hunter with local ties was Jesse Whipkey of Grand Marais and Oscoda, Michigan. He took 4th place in the “Bucks under 200 Pounds” category, with a buck weighing in at 198.86 pounds. He takes home a Hunter’s Specialties shooter pack.
Also winning in the “Bucks under 200 pounds” category was Cory Pederson of Grand Marais. He came in 10th with his 197.71-pound buck. Pederson takes home a Big Max 4’x8’ utility trailer.
Brian Schroeder of Grand Marais took 4th place in the “Bucks under 180 Pounds” category with a nice 179.58-pound buck. Schroeder won a Thompson center impact .50 muzzleloader.
Victor Pederson of Grand Marais was another winner in the “Biggest Doe” contest for his 147.57-pound doe. He wins a Remington 770 .243.
For more information on the Big Buck Challenge, visit www.usbigbuck. com. Rifle deer season ended November 24, however archery season continues until December 31. Black powder deer hunting season runs until December 15 statewide.
Congratulations hunters and good luck to those still out in the woods!
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