30th. Annual BIG BUCK Contest
2024 brought in the long-awaited Big Buck Contest to Eastern Ontario. Hosted by Fence Depot, John Locke and his wonderful team pulled off an unforgettable event for hunters with many categories and the soon-to-be Hunter’s Ball Banquet on January 25th. To be held at the Cornwall Civic Complex, which will be turned into an exhibition and banquet hall. The event brings experienced hunters from all over the SDG area. Hunters from Quebec and other parts of Ontario join in on the fun. The contest started on November 4th, 2024, and ended on December 30th, 2024. Categories include the “Heaviest Buck,” “Heaviest Doe,” and “Unlucky Coyote.”
Ontario benefits from $431 million dollars brought into our economy from approximately 500,000 hunters. The overall industry of anglers, fishermen, and hunters creates around 33,000 jobs and brings in $4.1 billion dollars to our economy. Many of the hunters are able to enjoy the environments of SD&G, using restaurants and other retail outlets. Every year, the Big Buck has brought exposure to the Cornwall area and businesses. Wild TV, Canada’s Hunting & Fishing TV Network, provides North America-wide exposure, filming the banquet and activities held.
The event and banquet are open only to registered hunters and their guests. Sadly, these events are not open to the public. Many local businesses provided door prizes, allowing each registered hunter to receive a gift. Gift bags are assembled, along with many business cards of the gift donors. The big door prize, which gets the attention of everyone, is a $10,000+ “2024” Yamaha Kodiak 450 ATV package, provided by Irwin Supply Cornwall Limited. The lucky winner will pick up the ATV later in the week. Throughout the evening, raffles will be drawn for many of the secondary prizes. The list of donors is very large—too large to list in this column. If you go to the Fence Depot Facebook page, you will be able to see all the donors and photos of the event.
Thank you to the Big Buck Committee: Charles Marleau, Laurie & Marc Legue, Leslie Irwin & Marc Donnelly, Cindy McGillis, Brian Seguin, John & Manon Locke and Justin Locke, Glenn Booth & Frances Hamilton. The amazing kitchen team led by Cindy McGillis, Angie McGillis and Chris Barqueand. The Cornwall Lions Club is Thanked for their generous support and time helping out. Links are below.
Links are below.
The major donors are:
https://www.3045pittstreet.ca/big-buck
