In the interest of promoting family values, gun safety, and the Second Amendment, Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace James Metts and Precinct 4 Constable Kenneth Rowdy Hayden have partnered with Ricky Overall, of Overall Taxidermy in New Caney, as well as Wayne and Faye Sitton, of Sitton’s Quick Stop in Splendora. The group is sponsoring the first “Biggest Buck Contest,” open only to residents of Montgomery County Precinct 4.
Entries are being accepted at Overall’s Taxidermy now through January 13, which is one week after the close of deer season. Unlike most similar contests, there is no fee to participate and preregistration is not required. The winner will receive a rifle valued at $750 or more, 40 sacks of deer corn and a free shoulder mount by Overall’s Taxidermy.
Judge Metts and Constable Hayden are both members of the National Rifle Association and outspoken proponents of the Second Amendment. In March, both Metts and Hayden testified before the House Committee on Federalism and Fiscal Responsibility in support of legislation to protect Texans’ Second Amendment rights. Another hometown favorite, District 16 Representative Brandon Creighton, chaired that committee.
Although they wanted to encourage people to exercise their Constitutional rights, both officials said the contest was also about encouraging family time.
“It’s very important for parents and other family members to spend quality time with the children in their lives,” Judge Metts said. “Today, there are few activities that provide an opportunity for parents to interact with their children without distractions for the parents, the children, or all of the above.”
“Most restaurants have televisions playing in the dining area these days, and even if those are absent, you can look around and see families sitting at tables where everyone is using an electronic device,” he said. “Unfortunately, every day the Constable and I see the results of the lack of parental involvement in kids’ lives because kids will find something to do, and without guidance and supervision, it often becomes something illegal or otherwise self-destructive.”
Constable Hayden echoed the Judge’s feelings, saying he recently saw a bumper sticker that summed up his thoughts on the matter. It said, “Kids that hunt and fish don’t steal and deal.”
“When we find juveniles committing crimes, it’s almost never kids whose parents make time for them and communicate with them,” Constable Hayden said. Camping, hunting and fishing represent wholesome traditional family fun and give parents a chance to teach their kids important life lessons and lead by example.”
“Judge Metts and I, and the other sponsors, want to do anything we can to encourage that,” he said.
A winner will be announced soon after the final day of the contest.
Rules
1. Participants must be residents of Montgomery County Precinct 4.
2. The game must be killed in compliance with all state and federal laws.
3. White tail deer only
4. The horns cannot be removed, and the head must be tagged
5. No high fence deer
Scoring System:
1. The total number of points.
No points will be counted that are less than 1″ in length, no rounding allowed.
2. The width of the outside spread.
All measurements must be done from the main beam only.
3. A total of the two longest tines off the main beam per side will be measured and scored.
A total of four tines will be measured, two per side.
4. TOTAL SCORE:
The total numeric score will be the sum of 1, 2, and 3 above. That is, the sum of the total points, the outside width, and the four longest tines (two per side) equals the total score for the buck.
5. Tiebreakers will be determined by the longest tine.
In the case of a tie still remaining, the next longest tine of the four measured, and so forth, until a winner has been determined.
a. No points will be counted that are less than one (1″) inch from its base.
b. All measurements are rounded off to the nearest 1/8 inch.
c. Broken points measuring less than the minimum length will not count.
d. If the main beam is broken, measurement will not include the detached portion of the antler.
e. If the main beams are moveable, measurement will be made at the narrowest point when the antlers are held in.
