Area’s top hunters honored at Big Buck

Miguel Trujillo, left, shows off the horns from his first-place mule deer hunt at the annual Big Buck Benefit Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at the Graham County Fairgrounds Ag Building. Trujillo's deer weighed 171.5 pounds. Congratulating him is Big Buck master of ceremonies Dan Turley. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Posted By: David Bell February 24, 2025

SAFFORD — Nearly a year’s worth of work paid off Saturday night when the Ag building at the Graham County Fairgrounds was packed with hunters and those who support the sport for the annual Big Buck Benefit.

“Probably about 10 months of preparation work between buying guns, buying prizes, getting sponsors together (and) coordinating everybody,” said Macyn Hawkins, president of the Southeast Arizona Sportsmen Club

In addition to the giveaways and raffle prizes, adult and youth hunter were recognized for the top hunts of both mule deer and white tail. Taking top honors were:

Adult mule deer antler score

  • 1. JR Murdock 175 5/8
  • 2. Isabela Seballos 165 3/8
  • 3. Gil Bowman 148 6/8
Top three placers for mule deer antler score were, from left, JR Murdock in first with 178 5/8, Isabela Seballos second with 165 3/8, and Gil Bowman third with 148 6/8.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Adult mule deer weight

  • 1. Miguek Trujillo 171.5 lbs
  • 2. Dallon Lines 155 lbs
  • 3.

Adult whitetail antler score

  • 1. Mark Owens 120
  • 2. Richard Turieta 112 3/8
  • 3. Tim McCracken 107 3/8
Tim McCracken, right, placed third and Richard Turieta, left, second in the adult whitetail antler scoring.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Adult whitetail weight

  • 1. Tim Stacy 97 lbs
  • 2. Shanna Whetten 96 lbs
  • 3. Jerome Whetten 94 lbs
Shanna and Jerome Whetter took second and third place, respectively, in the adult mule deer weight category.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Youth mule deer antler score

  • 1. Diedra Adams 159 2/8
  • 2. Jaliyah Hernandez 152 2/8
  • 3. Ryder Hinton 138 5/8
The top three placers in the Youth Mule Deer Antler Scoring were at Saturday’s Big Buck to collect their cash prizes. Pictured are, from left, first place Deidra Adams, second Jaliyah Hernandez and third Ryder Hinton.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Youth mule deer weight

  • 1. Calob Trujillo 193 lbs
  • 2. Cole Goodman 155.5 lbs
  • 3. Shawn Trujillo 123 lbs
Calob Trujillo took first in the youth mule deer weight division, with 193 pounds.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Youth whitetail antler score

  • 1. Gannon Allred 108 1/8
  • 2. Aiyanna Merino 74 2/8
  • 3. Cash Kelliher 65 7/8
Top three in the youth whitetail antler scoring were, from left, Gannon Allred, Aiyanna Merino and Cash Kelliher.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Youth whitetail weight

  • 1. Ella Allred 92 lbs
  • 2.
  • 3.
Ella Allred captured first in the youth whitetail weight division, with 92 pounds.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Southeastern Arizona Sportsmen Club conducted nearly a dozen wildlife habitat restorations over the past year, as well as provided trainings for youths in firearms safety, and conservation efforts.

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