By Rob Potter
CALLICOON — With just over a week left in the 2011 Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contest, a new leader has emerged.
That leader is Bill Abbate, a Stony Point resident who took a monster buck while hunting on Sunday, Nov. 27 in the Town of Bethel. Abbate shot a 10-pointer while it was chasing a doe.
Abbate then took the buck to Neves Taxidermy in Bethel, which is one of the official measuring stations for the Democrat contest. The buck scored 86 3/4 in the Democrat measuring system, second all-time since the contest started in 1974.
The buck tipped the scales at 194 lbs.
Currently in second place in the contest is 15-year-old James Schulz of Cochecton, who shot a large 8-point buck on Nov. 25 in the Town of Bethel. Schulz took the buck to TK Taxidermy in Jeffersonville to enter it in the Democrat contest.
The buck totaled 80 3/4 in the Democrat scoring system.
Remember, the contest is open to hunters who legally shoot a buck during the regular firearm deer season here in Sullivan County or in neighboring Wayne County, Pa. The season continues here in Sullivan County through Sunday, Dec. 11. The season in Wayne County, Pa. ends on Saturday, Dec. 10.
The Democrat Big Buck Contest has two divisions – Biggest Rack and Heaviest Deer.
The leader in the Heaviest Deer Division is Brian Fisher of Bethel. He shot a 195 lb. buck in the Town of Bethel.
First place in the Biggest Rack Division is $100 plus a free mounting courtesy of Rod’s Taxidermy in Callicoon. The runner-up will receive $50.
The Heaviest Deer Division, which is open to bucks and does, has three prizes. First place is $100, second place is $50 and third place is $25.
Hunters who want to enter the 38th annual Sullivan County Democrat Big Buck Contest can take their buck to one of several official measuring and weigh-in stations throughout the county.
To enter a buck in the Biggest Rack Division, go to:
• Artistic Creation Taxidermy, 30 Eagle Drive, Swan Lake
• Cannie D’s, 4 Schumway Road, Neversink
• Neves Taxidermy, 1980 Route 17B and Donaldson Road, Bethel
• Rod’s Taxidermy, Route 17B, Callicoon
• The Sportsmen’s Den, 623 Gaebel Road, Callicoon
• Sullivan County Democrat, 5 Lower Main Street, Callicoon
• TK Taxidermy, 4402 State Route 52, Jeffersonville
• Tom’s Bait and Tackle, 118 Kirk Road, Narrowsburg
To enter a buck or doe in the Heaviest Deer Division, go to:
• Artistic Creation Taxidermy, 30 Eagle Drive, Swan Lake
• Cannie D’s, 4 Schumway Road, Neversink
• Neves Taxidermy, 1980 Route 17B and Donaldson Road, Bethel
• The Sportsmen’s Den, 623 Gaebel Road, Callicoon.