It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year if you’re passionate about getting out and hunting Penns Woods. The 11th annual Webb Weekly Monster Buck Contest is officially underway as some big bruisers have already been checked in. My favorite contest of the year will run right on through the finish of the Black Powder season in January. This gives everybody the opportunity to enter — no matter the weapon of your choice.

Last year’s winner, Abby Heatly, has definitely set the antler bar high. The young lady’s 15-point buck scored 173 7/8 by Sierra Club International Standards. The SCI scoring system seems to be the best to cover all the different ways you can harvest a buck in our great state. As for Abby’s effort, she won a shoulder-mount courtesy of Poust Taxidermy. I am proud to say Dana Poust has been with us since the first year of the contest. He will continue to provide that amazing mount that looks as if the rest of the deer is on the other side of the wall.

Thompson’s Packing has joined our hunting team to provide second through fourth place prizes. Each place receiving $100 gift certificate to turn that venison into great Thompson’s products. Whether it be Thompson traditional hot dogs, bologna or something new like their sweet mini sticks. They’re delicious. Thanks to the good Folks at Thompson’s for joining the contest.

One of the great things about our Monster Buck Contest is that it doesn’t have to be the biggest buck down to enter. Any buck down allows you to register to win a Remington 783 rifle courtesy
of my good friends at Sauers Trading. We truly believe a trophy is in the eyes of the beholder. Thank you to the father-son team of John and Donny Sauers not only for being part of the team again this year but taking on a little, added responsibility.

So, how do you register that tank of a buck or just take a shot at winning that Remington rifle? It’s very S-I-M-P-L-E according to Florida Georgia Line. Just have the rack initially scored at Poust Taxidermy, 5099 Route 44 Highway North Jersey Shore or Sauers Trading, 1110 West Southern Avenue Southside. The biggest bucks will move on for final scoring, and any buck will get you entered to win that rifle. Of course, it must be harvested in PA and properly tagged. Obviously, Sauers will be handling the rifle paperwork if you’re lucky enough to win, and a background check is required as always.

Webb Weekly’s own Ron Mingle will again be overseeing the contest. A special tip of the camo hunting cap to him for his efforts over the years, believe me, it’s not an easy job.

My Uncle Ron Maietta especially enjoyed keeping track of our Annual Monster Buck Contest. He loved everything that was outdoors. Uncle Ron passed away on the last day of August this year.

He was an avid outdoorsman and outstanding fisherman. It didn’t matter if it was salt water, freshwater or creek water — he just loved to fish. Uncle Ron could catch fish out of a mud puddle; he just had that gift. He loved his trips to Canada with my stepfather, Gabe. My Mom was always very close to her younger brother and Aunt Anna. As was my Father and then Gabe.

Uncle Ron was a great shot and passionate about hunting. Even after MS had taken his mobility, he continued to hunt off his back deck. He loved just being in the outdoors, and this allowed him to stay in the game. He was a true believer in using and sharing whatever you harvested. Uncle Ron loved to cook; he was a great chef. It made his cuisine extra special if it was venison or fish he, or someone he knew, had provided.

I especially enjoyed my visits with Uncle Ron talking fishing, hunting or just joking around. He was truly one of the good guys. He loved his family, and I’m so glad he got to see his grandkids. Aunt Anna was unbelievable how she cared for Uncle Ron as MS took its toll — she was always there. It was her love that allowed Ron to continue to live in the country and enjoy the outdoors to the very end — along with the help of my cousins Ronnie and Nicole and their spouses. Ironically, it was cancer that led to his final demise. My thoughts and prayers are with the Maietta family.

Ironically, Ron Mingle’s wife Steph has also been dealt the card of MS. The Mingle family has done a great job supporting her, and daughter, Andi, has lead the efforts in support of the Williamsport MS Community Council. So, from this point on in memory of my Uncle Ron and to continue to raise awareness as Ron Mingle’s family battles MS, the Webb Weekly Monster Buck Contest will be known as Uncle Ron’s Monster Buck Contest. For every entrant, Webb Weekly will be making a donation toward the fight of MS. Good luck and let’s be safe out there.

God Bless America.