2025 Illinois Big Buck Contest
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How to Enter:
Bring your trophy to the Illinois Deer Classic Big Buck Ticket location.
All antlers should use the Box Office Entrance off of Jefferson Street.
Purchase a $20 Big Buck Contest entry ticket which includes a 3-day Show Pass (a $30 value) and official scoring of your whitetail. You will be asked to fill out a complete registration form and receive a numbered claim check which correlates to a registration tag that will accompany your whitetail. Security and safety of your trophy is always our number one concern. Your whitetail will be scored and put on display at the show and may be picked up Sunday afternoon after 3:30 PM.

Contest entries go in drawing for great prizes like
Grizzly coolers, Easton arrows, SEVR broadheads, Muddy cell cameras and more.


Big Buck Contest Rules of Entry:

  • Contest open to hunters who legally harvested an antlered whitetail deer in the State of Illinois.
  • Entries will be accepted starting 2:00 pm on Friday March 21, 2025 and close at 11:00 am on Sunday March 23, 2025. Sunday entries accepted starting at 9:00 am
  • Antlers do not need to be mounted. Antlers must have a solid skull plate. 60 day drying period applies.
  • If your deer has been previously scored, you MUST bring a copy of the official score sheet. It will not be re-measured.
  • Entry Fee is per Trophy and contestants will receive a FREE three-day pass (a $30.00 value), and entry in the prize drawing.
  • Bucks must have been harvested in the Fall 2023/2024 or the 2024/2025 Illinois Hunting seasons to enter the Firearm, Archery, Muzzleloader, Crossbow, Ladies Archery, Ladies Firearm, Ladies Crossbow or Youth categories.
  • Bucks harvested prior to Fall 2023 hunting season must be entered into the Historical category.
    Found Deer (deadheads) can be entered in the Historical Category.
  • To compete in the Youth Firearm or Youth Archery category, hunter must have been under 18 years of age at time of harvest. Proof of birth date may be required.
  • Female entrants can choose whether to complete in the Ladies Archery category, Ladies Firearm category, Ladies Crossbow Category or in the appropriate method specific category (Firearm, Archery, Muzzleloader, Youth). Once entered, the category cannot be changed.
  • Deer from Game Farms or deer harvested in high fence areas may NOT be entered in the contest and they will not be measured.

Awards and Judging:

  • Awards will be given at 3:00 Sunday in the Big Buck display area.
  • Plaques and Deluxe Place Ribbons are given for the top five (5) entries in four (4) categories: Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Firearm Typical & Non-Typical.
  • Plaques and Deluxe Place Ribbons are given to the top three (3) entries in the following sixteen (16) categories: Muzzleloader Typical & Non-Typical, Crossbow Typical & Non-Typical, Youth Firearm Typical & Non-Typical, Youth Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Historical Typical & Non-Typical, Ladies Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Ladies Firearm Typical & Non-Typical, Ladies Crossbow Typical & Non-Typical.
  • Entries eligible for one Award only, and must be present at the Awards Presentation to win.
  • Award Ribbons are awarded to all entries meeting Pope & Young Record Book, Boone & Crockett Record Book or Long Hunters Society Book entry standards.
  • All entries will be measured by Official Measurers using the Boone & Crockett and/or Pope & Young Scoring System. Bucks can be entered into the Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young Record Books if qualified for an additional fee.
  • Each entrant is eligible for a Special Door Prize Drawing. You do not have to be present to win the drawing.
  • Judging will be performed on Sunday afternoon. No entries can be picked up without permission before 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
  • Awards will be determined based on the Boone & Crockett score and/or Pope & Young score. Trophy deer must be present to win an award. Net score used for awards. Gross and Net scores listed.
  • You MUST have a Claim Check AND Proof of Identity to claim your entry. No exceptions. Security is a high priority at the show. We strongly suggest your trophy be locked in your car after return. No trophy deer will be allowed on the show floor after return.

SCORE ONLY:
We offer the option to have your deer officially measured by our certified scorers. It will NOT be
entered in the contest or displayed. Antlers may be picked up after they are scored. Priority is given to deer entered in the contest first. Cost $20.

BIG BUCK REGISTRATION:
Please print and fill out the Big Buck Registration Form to expedite the check in process.
for a registration form CLICK HERE




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