Iowa’s Biggest Big Buck Contest
2024 Results

Archery Typical
1st Place – Aron West – Danville – (193 6/8)
2nd Place -Tyler Fink – New Albin – (181 5/8)
3rd Place – Raymond Raber – Fairbank – (172 2/8)
4th Place – Ryer Donkersloot – Spirit Lake – (172 2/8)
5th Place – Alan Basten – Dubuque – (169 7/8)

Firearm Typical
1st Place – Kyle Lafrenz – Wilton – (174 4/8)
2nd Place – Jerry Rempe – Eddyville – (165 7/8)
3rd Place – Rob Richards – Ankeny – (161 2/8)
4th Place – Ted Hoeger – Van Meter – (157 2/8)
5th Place – Tim Shickell – Nevada – (156 2/8)

Muzzleloader Typical
1st Place – Josh Adams – St. Ansgar – (176 3/8)
2nd Place – Anthony Cochran – Batavia – (161 4/8)
3rd Place – Hayden Gibbs – Davenport – (160 6/8)

Ladies Archery Typical
1st Place – Heidi Hasselbalch – Norwalk – (157 3/8)
2nd Place – Katie Mead – Cambridge – (152 0/8)
3rd Place – Kirsti Edwards – Oskaloosa – (149 4/8)

Ladies Firearm Typical
1st Place – Charlene Acklin – Sac City – (156 0/8)
2nd Place – Autumn Zook – Bussey – (152 6/8)
3rd Place – Jan Mitchell – West Des Moines – (140 5/8)

Crossbow Typical
1st Place – Doug Knott – Ottumwa – (170 3/8)
2nd Place – Tom Brumback – Alleman – (164 0/8)
3rd Place – Aaron Dilks – West Point – (154 6/8)

Historical Typical
1st Place – Dakota Strong – Montezuma – (166 2/8)
2nd Place – Aaron Kollbaum – Anthon – (161 1/8)
3rd Place – Greg Allen – Toledo – (159 3/8)

Youth Firearms Typical
1st Place – Jake Uhiman – Madrid – (174 7/8)
2nd Place – Brantley Hunt – Paulina – (171 1/8)
3rd Place – Gage Pederson – Adel – (162 3/8)

Youth Archery Typical
1st Place – Kallen DeBoef – Adel – (139 5/8)
2nd Place – Ryder Palmersheim – New Hartford – (129 6/8)
3rd Place – Jed Heck – Des Moines – (129 0/8)

Best of Show
Tyler Fink – New Albin – (181 5/8)

Archery Non-Typical
1st Place – Chip Thurnau – Nora Springs – (209 5/8)
2nd Place – Jordan Petersen – Cherokee – (207 5/8)
3rd Place -Cory Watts – Council Bluffs – (206 6/8)
4th Place – J.D. Vandenburg – Elkhart – (206 0/8)
5th Place – Lance Bronw – Mount Ayr – (200 0/8)

Firearm Non-Typical
1st Place – Jack Ruhland – Le Mars – (217 3/8)
2nd Place – Triston Licht – Gowrie – (212 7/8)
3rd Place – Andrew Boland – Willamsburg – (200 2/8)
4th Place – Nicholas Burch – Searsboro – (188 2/8)
5th Place – Shawn Cogdill – Woodbine – (184 1/8)

Muzzleloader Non-Typical
1st Place – Allen Olson – Des Moines – (191 2/8)
2nd Place – Luke Levine – Bettendorf – (190 1/8)
3rd Place – Jackson Haiar – Clinton – (185 2/8)

Ladies Archery Non-Typical
1st Place – Adrian Green – Hampton – (172 0/8)
2nd Place – Jess Johnston – West Des Moines – (164 4/8)
3rd Place – Kaylee Johnson – Albia – (145 6/8)

Ladies Firearm Non-Typical
1st Place – Staci Lewis – Stuart – (171 4/8)
2nd Place – Erin Hunt – Elkader – (157 3/8)
3rd Place – Annalyse McCain – New Sharon – (151 0/8)

Crossbow Non-Typical
1st Place – Scott Rathjens – Springville – (191 0/8)
2nd Place – Tom Daiker – Charles City – (190 1/8)
3rd Place – Jessica Love – Winfield – (179 6/8)

Historical Non-Typical
1st Place – Mike Weatherly – Marshalltown – (213 0/8)
2nd Place – Mitchell Choquette – Salix – (200 3/8)
3rd Place – Cory Welper – Vinton – (198 4/8)

Youth Firearms Non-Typical
1st Place – Nolan Rahto – Story City – (195 5/8)
2nd Place -Brier Noftsger – Dallas – (190 5/8)
3rd Place – William McDonald -Albia – (189 1/8)

Youth Archery Non-Typical
1st Place – Camille McFarland – Inianola – (182 3/8)
2nd Place – Calvin Bodensteiner – Waucoma – (105 7/8)
3rd Place – N/A

Most Unique
Kyler West-Webster City (178 7/8)



2024 Iowa Whitetails by # of Points
6 Point Buck
Devin Brooks – Manchester – (127 2/8)
8 Point Buck
Trenton Winchell – Newton – (156 0/8))
9 Point Buck
Dakota Strong – Montezuma – (166 2/8)
10 Point Buck
Aron West – Danville – (193 6/8)
11 Point Buck
Cody Corbitt – Collins – (183 2/8)
12 Point Buck
Ryan Donkersloot – Spirit Lake – (172 2/8)


*Check-in and show entrance are now on the West end of the upper level.

There are two options for bringing your deer.
1. From 5th Ave
Enter the NW corner of the building-this is the Upper Level. Go through the glass entrance doors.
2. From 3rd Street
This is on the street Level – Proceed UP the stairs or down the corridor to the Escalator-UP.
Proceed down the skywalk, then right to the entrance.
Dropping off or entering on 5th Ave is a shorter route.
Signs will be posted for both routes.

Located on the Upper Level BIG BUCK ENTRANCE MAP



The Big Buck Contest and Display, the Antler Measuring, Hall of Fame, Shed Antler Contest and Display are all on the Upper Level of the Iowa Events Center.

One of our most popular attractions at the Iowa Deer Classic is our Big Buck Contest which typically brings in over 350 trophy whitetails for scoring and display! Leader Boards are rotated for the many categories and on Sunday an Awards Ceremony showcases the biggest Iowa bucks of the year and awards the lucky Iowa hunters. Our first class display of entries is truly a sight to see!

Congratulations to Kaffrey from Carlisle
Winner of the XPedition Archery Reflection 32 bow.

How To Enter:
Bring your trophy to the Iowa Deer Classic Big Buck Ticket location at the east end of the upper level.

    • 1. From 5th Ave Enter the NW corner of the building-this is the Upper Level. Go through the glass entrance doors.
    • 2. From 3rd Street This is on the street Level – Proceed UP the stairs or down the corridor to the Escalator-UP. Proceed down the skywalk, then right to the entrance. Dropping off or entering on 5th Ave is a shorter route.

Purchase a $20 Big Buck Contest entry ticket which includes a 3-day Show Pass (a $45 value) and official scoring of your whitetail. You will be asked to fill out a complete registration form and receive a numbered claim check which correlates to a registration tag that will accompany your whitetail. Security and safety of your trophy is always our number one concern. Your whitetail will be scored and put on display at the show and may be picked up Sunday afternoon after 3:30 PM
Big Buck Special Awards
Best of Show
Most Unusual
Biggest Scoring Bucks (6 pt, 8 pt, 9 pt, 10 pt, 11 pt, 12 pt)
Big Buck Contest Awards Divisions
Top Five (5) Archery Typical
Top Five (5) Archery Non-Typical
Top Five (5) Firearm Typical
Top Five (5) Firearm Non-Typical
Top Three (3) Muzzleloader Typical
Top Three (3) Muzzleloader Non-Typical
Top Three (3) Youth Firearm Typical
Top Three (3) Youth Firearm Non-Typical
Top Three (3) Youth Archery Typical
Top Three (3) Youth Archery Non-Typical
Top Three (3) Historical Typical
Top Three (3) Historical Non-Typical
Top Three (3) Ladies Archery Typical
Top Three (3) Ladies Archery Non-Typical
Top Three (3) Ladies Firearm Typical
Top Three (3) Ladies Firearm Non-Typical
Top Three (3) Crossbow Typical
Top Three (3) Crossbow Non-Typical

Plaque

* AWARD PLAQUES
Our plaques are laser engraved and made from Iowa White Oak.
They can be customized to add information and pictures.
CLICK HERE for more information.
To go to the Wilson Custom Tree website. CLICK HERE

Big Buck Contest Rules of Entry:

  • Contest open to hunters who legally harvested an antlered whitetail deer in the State of Iowa.
  • Entries will be accepted starting 2:00 pm on Friday March 7, 2025 and close at 11:00 am on Sunday March 9, 2025. Sunday antlers accepted starting at 9:00 am, show opens at 10:00 am.
  • Antlers do not need to be mounted. Antlers must have a solid skull plate. 60-day drying period applies. ie: harvested before January 9, 2025 to be scored March 9, 2025.
  • If your deer has been previously scored, you MUST bring a copy of the official score sheet. It will not be re-measured.
  • Entry Fee is per Trophy and contestants will receive a FREE three-day pass (a $45.00 value), and entry in the prize drawing.
  • Bucks must have been harvested in the Fall 2023/2024 or the 2024/2025 Iowa Hunting seasons to enter the Firearm, Archery, Muzzleloader, Crossbow, Ladies Archery, Ladies Firearm or Youth categories.
  • Bucks harvested prior to Fall 2023 hunting season must be entered into the Historical category.
    Found Deer (deadheads) can be entered in the Historical Category.
  • To compete in the Youth Firearm or Youth Archery category, hunter must have been under 18 years of age at time of harvest. Proof of birth date may be required.
  • No previous Iowa Deer Classic winners are eligible for an award with the same trophy deer in the same category.
  • Female entrants can choose whether to complete in the Ladies Archery category, Ladies Firearm category or in the appropriate method specific category (Firearm, Archery, Muzzleloader, Youth). Once entered, the category cannot be changed.
  • Deer from Game Farms or deer harvested in high fence areas may NOT be entered in the contest and they will not be measured.

Awards and Judging:

  • Awards will be given at 3:00 Sunday in the Big Buck Registration area.
  • Plaques and Deluxe Place Ribbons are given for the top five (5) entries in four (4) categories: Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Firearm Typical & Non-Typical.
  • Plaques and Deluxe Place Ribbons are given to the top three (3) entries in the following fourteen (14) categories: Muzzleloader Typical & Non-Typical, Crossbow Typical & Non-Typical, Youth Firearm Typical & Non-Typical, Youth Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Historical Typical & Non-Typical, Ladies Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Ladies Firearm Typical & Non-Typical.
  • Plaques and Deluxe Ribbons are given to the biggest 6 pt, 8 pt, 9 pt, 10 pt, 11 pt, and 12 pt bucks entered in the contest.
  • Entries eligible for one Award only and must be present at the Awards Presentation to win.
  • Award Ribbons are awarded to all entries meeting Iowa DNR record list, Pope & Young Record Book, Boone & Crockett Record Book or Long Hunters Society Book entry standards.
  • All entries will be measured by Official Measurers using the Boone & Crockett and/or Pope & Young Scoring System. Bucks can be entered into the Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young Record Books if qualified for an additional fee. Bucks that qualify will be entered in the Iowa DNR record book for no charge.
  • Each entrant is eligible for a Special Door Prize Drawing. You do not have to be present to win the drawing.
  • Judging will be performed on Sunday afternoon. No entries can be picked up without permission before 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
  • Awards will be determined based on the Boone & Crockett score and/or Pope & Young score. Trophy deer must be present to win an award. Net score used for awards. Gross and Net scores listed.
  • You MUST have a Claim Check AND Proof of Identity to claim your entry. No exceptions. Security is a high priority at the show. We strongly suggest your trophy be locked in your car after return. No trophy deer will be allowed on the show floor after return.

SCORE ONLY:
We offer the option to have your deer officially measured by our certified scorers. It will NOT be entered in the contest or displayed. It will NOT be eligible for awards. Antlers may be picked up after they are scored. Priority is given to deer entered in the contest first. Cost $20.

BIG BUCK REGISTRATION:
Please print and fill out the Big Buck Registration Form to expedite the check in process.
for a registration form CLICK HERE

All Deer meeting Boone and Crockett All-time Book requirements will be added to our Hall of Fame list and will get an invite to future shows with free admission in return for displaying the deer.

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