2006 Trophy Takers Awards - Shallow Crossing NSW.

On the long weekend Trophy Takers held there first Awards night and annual general meeting since the organisation was re invigorated over a year ago. Too members of the past it was exciting to be in the familiar company of bowhunting friends, for others it was an opportunity to meet new people and to experience complete immersion in a like minded group of people who love to talk about the hunt.

This meeting had one thing unique to it, it was a celebration of the new phase of Trophy Takers, a huge congratulations, thanks and applause should go out to Mark Southwell, Peter Morphett, Chris Hervert, and Paul Southwell for recognising the valuable and unique place Trophy Takers has in Australian Bowhunting. Also for giving so much time, energy and passion into Bringing Trophy Takers back. Members will benefit from the energy and talents of these individuals for many years to come. They have done a fabulous job of updating systems, photo records, and web sites and re establishing Trophy Takers.

For those who do not know the history of Trophy Takers meetings, they have traditionally been held on the Easter long weekend at different locations each year to accommodate for the fact that this is a national organisation (so different people have the convenience of a close location, and different people travel each year). Some meetings in the past were in Bendermeer, Albury and many even travelled to a meeting held in Darwin which is still talked about. This year saw the first meeting in the October Long weekend to cater for the increase in deer hunting that goes on around Australia over Easter.

The Trophy Takers meeting is a relaxed affair, it was interesting to see the diverse group of people that are ‘Trophy Takers’, there were families, hunters and their partners and individuals both young and old. Some members turned it into four days, other who were not able to set up for the whole two or three days went to the trouble to drive some long distances to attend the awards night and meeting. The venue at Shallow Crossing was superb, allowing the traditional campfire (just made it before fire bans) and a few beers, camping and many squeezed some fishing between the hunting talk. A special thanks to Stan Kwasigroch for supplying a lovely fallow deer for the spit, the effort was appreciated by all who attended as it was cooked up a real treat.

The Trophy Takers awards night encapsulated what the organisation has been trying to do from the beginning, recognising the taking of quality game and enjoying friendship as we talk of hunting. Trophy Takers it is not made up just of the big names in Australian Bowhunting, thou many are there. There are the up and coming hunters, some would say the next generation listening on, as well as less prominent hunters who are keen to be associated with a group of hunters who prioritise the taking of Quality Trophies and mateship. Keeping in mind what constitutes a trophy is a very personal thing.

Always a feature of the weekend is the astounding quality of game that members seem able to harvest. This year some incredible trophies were recorded: Special mention should go to Damain Zeinert who shot an outstanding Sambar Stag, beating his previous stag to get a new Trophy Takers number one. To do this is a fantastic achievement and a great reward for a hunter who puts in so much effort. Also to new member Joel Pukallus and his awesome goat which won him the goat award and puts him on the shield with some fantastic trophies of the past.. The best boar for the year was an astonishing 36DP from Colin Moynihan who has been taking fantastic game for as long as I can remember,
(meant as a compliment not disrespect to age).

Listed below are the awards presented for the 2005/2006 year, they represent a huge result for committed hunters, and something to aspire to for the rest of us.

Awards list:

Perpetual Awards:

Boar Award:
Col Moynihan - 36DS

Goat Award:
Joel Pukallus - 146 1/8 DS

Traditional Award:
Stan Kwasigroch Goat - 111 5/8DS

Chairman’s Award:
Dale Furze Sambar - 54 6/8DS

Junior Bowhunter:
Nick Hervert

Legend Award:
Pedro Lever

Yearly Awards:
Best Fox: Joel Pukallus - 9 12/16DS

Best Fallow: Damain Zeinert - 213 5/8DS

Best Rusa: Paul Southwell - 187 5/8DS

Best Sambar: Damain Zeinert - 182 3/8DS

Best Chital: Jarrod Vyner - 70 3/8DS