Eighth Grader Wins Youth Big Buck Contest

Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Tori Moreland, 14, of Doniphan was the first-place winner Sunday night in the youth big buck contest at Harp’s Foods.
Ron Smith

Ripley County youth hunters checked 200 deer during the two-day special hunt held Oct. 30-31 for ages 15 and under.

The number of hunters appeared to be down locally with 44 entering the Youth Big Buck Contest hosted by Warren Bland at Harp’s Foods in Doniphan. The number of entries was about half from previous years.

Overall, Ripley County slipped to 18th in the state for the number of deer checked during the early special hunt for youth.

While the number of contest entries was down, the 13 bucks brought in to be scored on Sunday night included nine that were eight-point or better.

Tori Moreland, a Doniphan Middle School eighth-grader, defeated a field that included 11 boys to make it two years in a row for the girls.

Tori’s 10-point buck scored 146-4/8 on the Buckmaster scale. She brought down the deer about 4:35 p.m. Saturday while hunting with her father, Ken Moreland.

Earning prizes in the 2021 Youth Big Buck contest were (front from left) Garrett Griffin, Logan Nierman, Korbin Dale, Keetan Harder, Daxton Gray, Nick Otero, Waylon Nierman and Sierra Tarpley. Back from left are Tori Moreland, first place, Ty Shelton, second, Tyler Lowery, third, Logan Price, fourth, and Aidan McAfee, fifth.
Ron Smith

It wasn’t her first deer but definitely was the biggest, she said. It was her first year to enter the contest.

Grand prize for the winner was a gift certificate to Harp’s Sporting Goods in Alton, Mo.

Second place went to Ty Shelton with a 10-pointer that scored 130-1/8. Third place was earned by Tyler Lowery with an eight-pointer scoring 123-2/8. Logan Price won fourth with an 11-pointer that scored 123-1/8. Aidan McAfee was fifth with a seven-pointer that scored 112 -6/8.

Scoring the antlers was James Bland.

Those who did not fill a tag during the youth hunt may enter the contest for the regular fall firearms season to be held Nov. 13-23.

This was the 18th year for the youth contest.

Sponsors donating prizes for the youth included Nace Pigg Shelter Insurance, Peoples Community Bank, Southern Bank, Bimbo Bakeries (Sara Lee Bread), Nick York Frito-Lay, Whisnant Arms, Jerry Halley Guns, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Bank of Grandin, Buffalo Bob’s Jerky, Dot’s Pretzels (Dan Craig), Little Debbie Cakes (Junior Law), Haliburton Taxidermy, Big D’s Barbecue, Warren and Diana Bland, and Budweiser (which provided banners.)

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