Top hunters of the year honored at Big Buck fund-raiser

Amyah Moreno, left, and Chloe Solberg show of their antlers after placing first and second, respectively, in the Youth Whitetail Weight division of the annual Big Buck competition. The pair received their prize money at the annual fund-raiser at the Ag Building at Graham County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Posted By: David Bell March 2, 2026

SAFFORD — Successful youth and adult hunters received their due Saturday evening, during Southeastern Arizona Sportsmen Club’s annual Big Buck Benefit in the AG Building at Graham County Fairgrounds.

Winners were named in mule deer antler score and weight, as well as whitetail antler score and weight.

“I get to go hunting with Dad. I like spending time together,” said Amyah Moreno, who was the winner in Youth Whitetail Weight at 88 pounds.

Winners included:

Youth Whitetail Weight

  • Amyah Moreno — 88 lbs.
  • Chloe Solberg — 80 lbs.

Youth Whitetail Antler

  • Gannon Allred — 86 5/8 in.
  • Owen Miller — 84 in.
  • Jentry Kelliher — 17 1/8 in.
Gannon Allred, left, placed first and Owen Miller second in the Youth Whitetail Antler Score division.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Youth Mule Deer Weight

  • Tripp Cade — 132 lbs.
Tripp Cade, right, receives his prize money from Big Buck MC and auctioneer Dan Turley, after Cade took first in the Youth Mule Deer Weight division.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Youth Mule Deer Antler

  • Deidra Adams — 177 in.
  • Gage Howard 167 2/8 in.
  • Drake Miller 158 3/8 in.
Deidra Adams and Drake Miller placed first and third, respectively, in the Youth Mule Deer Antler division.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Adult Whitetail Weight

  • Lance Lines — 84 lbs.
  • Josh Jarvis — 72 lbs.
Josh Jarvis took second place in the Adult Whitetail Weight division.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Adult Whitetail Antler

  • Daniel Ward — 102 in.
  • Danny Carasco — 90 5/8 in.
  • Jamie Kelliher — 16 4/8 in.
Daniel Ward, left, placed first and Danny Carasco second in the Adult Whitetail Antler division.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Adult Mule Deer Weight

  • William Lunt — 195 lbs.
  • Robert Miller — 173 lbs.
  • David Ingle — 148 lbs.
From left, William Lunt, Robert Miller and David Ingle placed first, second and third, respectively, in the Adult Mule Deer Weight division.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Adult Mule Deer Antler

  • Brian Chartrand — 175 in.
  • Dillon Carling — 158 3/8 in.
  • Rayna Hancock — 148 6/8 in.

Mona Ybarra, owner of Chiquita Creations Mona won the Gold Sponsor raffle of a Browning rifle and Corporate Sponsor raffle winner Tim Linden of III Counties Distributing donated his rifle to Waylon Harguess, 10, who was helping draw the winners’ names. Adam Chacon, with Nationwide Fiber Optic and Power won the Springfield 9mm pistol raffle.

Art Holguin, left, was the winner of the Polaris Sportsman 570 at the Big Buck Fund-raiser. He’s joined by Southeast Arizona Sportsmen Club President Tim Linden.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Winner of the Polaris Ranger 1000 was Cheryl Lee Horvath, and winner of the Polaris Sportsman 570 was Art Holguin.

“I was shocked, I really was. I was just like, ‘Wow,’ ” Holguin said, adding he planned on using it on his next hunt.

Lacey Bryce performed the national anthem and dance music was provided by Crossroad with guest vocalist Pete McCormick. Dan Turley served as MC and auctioneer.

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.

Crossroads, with guest vocalist Pete McCormick, center, provided plenty of opportunities to dance at Saturday’s Big Buck Benefit.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Comments

comments