I look forward to my winter ride up 44 North to Poust Taxidermy every year.

It’s always great to talk about the past buck season with Dana Poust and Sam, the Taxidermy lady. I can’t think of a better thing to do on a cold, snow-covered day than to hear the stories and discuss the great outdoors we live in.

This year, Sam gave me a tour of the shop and of the great wildlife artistry at work.

Before I get to our monster buck winners, which I’m sure you’ve all checked out below, here are some other interesting things nestled within the warm confines of the shop.

First up, I never really thought about taxidermy mounts getting old. The first buck that caught my eye was taken in 1969. Dana and Sam were performing what I will call a wildlife restoration. They were completely restoring this monster of that day for the gentleman who was lucky enough for it to walk his way.

I always like looking at the unique racks, and I’m a believer in a trophy being in the hands of the holder. Sam had two; she was proud to show me both, and both were entered into this year’s contest.

First up was Dale Chapman’s buck, a beautiful eight-point with a right antler dropping down real low and widely wrapping around almost to the other side. A little out of the ordinary, but an outstanding buck.

Then we headed to the back room to see Jared Brenning’s unicorn of a buck. A non-typical deer in which one side was a typical 4 and the other side suffered an injury of some type. This antler then grew out lower than even the first buck, almost below eye level, with several stickers extending off. A trophy of a very unique taking.

A couple of other things worth mentioning are the amazing grizzly bear in progress that was taken right off Kodiak Island in Alaska, a beast of a creature, and a couple of white squirrels, which I have never seen. One looked like an albino; the other, yellow lab-ish in color.

I’d better stop here and move on to our winners.

Thank you to all the hunters who made the time to enter our 18th Annual Uncle Ron’s contest and share their hunting season with us. And thanks again to Ron Mingle for again handling the business end of the contest. This year’s winner was Nate Kremser; he got this year’s top monster during the rifle season. What a whitetail — congrats, Nate! Nate wins the wildlife artistry of Poust Taxidermy.

The runner-up held the top spot for a long time, and I had heard the story from many, as it was taken early in the Fall archery season. Brant “Trapper” Waldron’s weapon of choice was a longbow with wood arrows, which is old-school bowhunting. Great job, Trapper, and what a great nickname.

Third place is another absolute tank featuring 13 points and long tines. Tip of the cap to Roy Puller. I only wish I had a picture of him to share with you as well.

Rounding out the top 4 is Gavin Gavlock with a 23 1/4” spread featuring 10 points. Great shooting, Gavin, and I love the picture with the snow in the background.

Thank you to the good folks at Stoltzfus Butcher Shop for providing $100 venison processing cards for 2nd through 4th Place. They do wonderful work and are truly a full-service venison processing facility.

And finally, that gets me to my good friends down the street at Sauers Trading, the father-son duo of Jon and Don, who take care of all the legalities and provide the Axis Rifle Package with all the trimmings. Sauers is another favorite place I like to go on a cold winter day for conversation and to look around. This year’s winner was Kurt Westbrook, who chose a .270 caliber. Kurt also got a beautiful buck, so what a year he had.

A couple of closing notes from Dana, who I can’t believe is 75 years old, Gary Alt’s plan of antler restriction has worked wonders. Each year, he sees bigger and bigger bucks and more of them. Dana mentioned, and I agree with him, that the next step would be to take designated land areas and increase the legal harvest to four on a side. This allows the buck to hopefully gain another year of age and growth. Dana also enjoyed the snow for hunting season and added that this helped produce success to the very end, which has provided Sam and him non-stop skinning right through the second season.

Well, until next year, that’ll close out our 18th Annual Uncle Ron’s Buck Contest. A contribution on behalf of all the hunters entering will be made to help fight MS in honor of Uncle Ron Mingle and the memory of my Uncle Ron Maietta.

God Bless America.