Contact: Justin Dreibelbis, Hunting Heritage Program Director, Phone: 800-839-9453

For Immediate Release: May 21, 2013

Contact: Justin Dreibelbis, Hunting Heritage Program Director, Phone: 800-839-9453

Email:

Contact: Debi Schultz, Abilene CVB, Phone 325-338-2344, Email:

Texas Big Game Awards to Feature Sportsman’s Celebrationwith Combined Region Event

The Texas Big Game Awards (TBGA) will play host to the Trans-Pecos, Panhandle and Cross Timbers Regional Sportsman’sCelebration awards ceremony in Abilene, TX on June 1st at the Abilene Civic Center.

“This TBGA Sportsman’s Celebration is unique because it is an opportunity for landowners and hunters from across three regions to be recognized for the top game taken in numerous counties across the western part of the state,” explained Justin Dreibelbis, Texas Wildlife Association’s (TWA) Hunting Heritage Program Director. “With the help and support of our co-sponsors, TWA, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)and local partners like the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, we are able to continue to recognize the contribution these private landowners, land managers and responsible adult and youth hunters make to managing and conserving wildlife and their habitats across the state of Texas.”

Celebrating its 22nd year, the TBGA is a partnership of the TPWD and the TWA. This renowned eventcontinues to be a leader in recognizing the contributions that landowners, land managers and responsible hunters make to managing/conserving wildlife and wildlife habitats on Texas’ private lands. The TBGA’s program is designed to recognize 1) the quality of big game animals in Texas, 2) the hunters who harvest these animals, 3) the land managers who produce these animals through their management efforts, 4) the importance of our hunting heritage, and 5) the achievements of young and new hunters. For additional information on the Texas Big Game Awards, please visit

Many exciting activities make this weekend of eventsso distinctive. A $5 fee allows entry to admire some of the best whitetails, mule deer and pronghorn taken across Texas in person, as well as the opportunity to participate in activities such as scoring and aging demos, taxidermy demo, TPWD’s Operation Game Thief trailer, Youth Education Events and much more. Educational activities will take place from 3:00 – 5:30 PM followed by dinner and an awards ceremony.

“TWA figures show spending by hunters, fisherman and outdoor enthusiasts in Texas generates $16 billion annually. Hunters contribute more than $1 billion a year to the states economy and spend more than 25 million days being active in the sport,” Debi Schultz, Sales Director for the ACVB said. ”This one day event will contribute an impressive $44,000 in economic development in Abilene.”

Banquet dinner tickets must be reserved by May 24 - $20 adults and $10 youth under 12. You may make reservations on line or by calling (800) TEX - WILD.

Texas Big Game Awards Sponsors in Statewide Sponsors include: Hixon Land and Cattle Company, Carter’s Country Outdoor Stores, and Budweiser. Texas Regional Sponsors include: Capital Farm Credit, Remington Arms, Leupold and Stevens, C. Young and Company, Prois, Smith’s Consumer Products, Hunter’s Specialties, ThermaCell, Wildgame Innovations, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Record Rack, Bog Pod, James Avery Jewelry, Game Guard, Cabela's, Wildleaf, and Mike Childress Art.

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