Community News

Two local youth winners in Big Buck Photo contest

CHARLESTON - Two girls from Wood and Tyler counties were among the resident youth division winners of the Big Buck Photo Contest sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism.

Morgan Wicker of Belleville and Gracie Harper of Friendly were two of the five winners in the junior division in the third annual contest held by the state.

The announcement of the winners was made during opening ceremonies of the West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show on Friday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.

Youth winners receive a lifetime hunting and fishing license.

Nineteen winners were chosen this year, five resident youth and five resident adults and four non-resident youth and five non-resident adults.

The five resident adult winners can choose either one lifetime hunting license or a two-night state forest cabin stay. The four non-resident youth winners will all receive a Cabela's prize package and the five non-resident adult winners can choose a two-night state forest cabin stay or two Pipestem Peaks Zipline tour passes.

The winners were selected from 55 finalists.

In addition to Wicker and Harper, other resident youth division winners were Cameron Ford of Bloomery, Gracie Friendly, Shyann Hurst of Peterstown and Elliana Meadows of Hinton.

Resident adult division winners were Leah O'Neil of Moundsville, Raymond Adkins of Forest Hill, Zack Gill of Ballard, Monty (Jake) Boytek of Chapmanville and Monica Smith of Buckhannon.

Non-resident youth division winners were Brantley Bernhard of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Brock Davis of Star Tannery, Va., Gracie Ryder of Rockingham, Va., and James Vernatter of Concord, N.C.

Non-resident adult division winners were Joshua Anderson of Bluefield, Va., Christopher Derrick of Spartanburg, S.C., Christine Erin of Front Royal, Va., Spencer Helmick of Newport News, Va. and Hunter Murcko of Cortland, Ohio.

"West Virginia's hunting traditions are a big part of what makes our state so special and the Big Buck Photo Contest is just one of the ways we celebrate that heritage," DNR Director Brett McMillion said. "I want to thank everyone who participated in the contest because your contributions not only help us showcase the excellent hunting opportunities in our state but will help us keep our outdoor tradition alive for generations to come."

More than 2,500 submissions have been made in the three years the contest was held in West Virginia.

"Seeing families bonding over campfires, young hunters proudly displaying their first deer, and photographers capturing West Virginia's breathtaking scenery through their lenses. These are the moments that truly warm my heart as a lifelong outdoorsman," Gov. Jim Justice said. "I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the winners of our contest and thank everyone who shared their passion for West Virginia's incredible hunting seasons. These stories prove, beyond any doubt, that West Virginia offers not just thrilling hunting, but also unparalleled natural beauty, shared traditions, and lasting memories. It's truly Almost Heaven."

The contest was open to residents and non-residents and included a youth division for hunters 17 years and younger and an adult division for hunters 18 years and older. To enter, hunters were required to submit a photo with a buck they harvested during a 2023 hunting season along with a short account of their hunt. Each entrant was required to show proof of a valid 2023 West Virginia hunting license and had to include their personal 13-digit DNR-issued game check number.

Finalists were chosen by random drawing from all eligible entries and winners were selected by a judging committee. Winning photos were selected based on photo composition, size of the buck's antlers, number of antler points and how well the hunt was described.