Hunters who take big game this year will have the chance to show off their trophies in the Magic Valley.

Three Twin Falls businessmen - Jeff Frost, owner of Intermountain Taxidermy–& Worldwide Adventures–Inc, Rob Green of Rob Green Auto and John Howard, manager of Sportsman's Warehouse - have teamed with area sponsors to host what could be the state's biggest Bucks and Bulls contest.

This is the third annual contest held locally, which started Aug. 15 and goes through Dec. 31. Those who want to participate may enter the rack from an antelope, elk, mule deer or white-tailed deer taken legally in Idaho.

There is no charge to enter the contest, but racks must be clean and free of meat.

Previous to beginning the contest, there was no place locally for hunters to show off their big game trophies, Frost said. He, along with Howard and Green, wanted to change that.

The first contest saw little participation, but now three years later - with eight divisions, including youth and archery - "it has almost grown faster than we can keep up with," Frost said. "We have people who bring stuff down from the panhandle, from all over the state. We believe it's the biggest Bucks and Bulls contest in Idaho."

Racks, displayed at Sportsman's Warehouse, are starting to come in but it's been slow, said Howard. Most of the racks displayed so far are from the archery hunt, but Howard expects a larger number once rifle season opens next week.

"The economy has affected a lot of people," he said. "But I'm hoping that come Oct. 10 it will bust loose."

Last year about 130 deer and elk racks were displayed. "With all the racks hanging around, the store looked like a museum," he said. "We were running out of room."

Though the contest is free for participants, organizers have secured the help of local businesses to help sponsor prizes. Organizers are still seeking at least two more sponsors, Howard said.

In January, once the contest has ended, organizers and their sponsors, including various hunting groups, will gather for a banquet to award the prizes. Names of the winners are kept secret until the night of the banquet, Frost said. Besides being a venue for hunters to brag about their trophies, the contest - and the banquet - promote hunting and conservation programs.

"Every hunting group or organization in the area hosts their own banquets to raise money for their causes," Frost said. "This brings together under one roof, as sportsman united, the opportunity for us to raise money for a cause but also to promote awareness."

Besides the plate fee, money raised at the banquet comes through silent auctions, vendor booths and donations.

One of the things money goes toward is the Hunt of a Lifetime, a hunting program for terminally ill children. The event allows a handful of Idaho children to go on a hunt somewhere in the state, in what Frost said really is those children's hunt of a lifetime. If they bring back animals from the hunt, Frost said he will mount them free of charge.

"I think this is an outstanding organization, so we usually help them on their outings," Howard added.

As for Bucks and Bulls, "We don't charge at all for this contest, and I think that is one of the things that have helped to grow it. People don't have to pre-register and we'll display their racks here at the store.

"It gives hunters bragging rights," Howard said.

Andrew Weeks may be reached at 208-735-3233 or aweeks@magicvalley.com.

Contest and banquet Entry deadline for the Third Annual Bucks and Bulls contest is Dec. 31. Participants may enter the racks of an antelope, elk, mule deer or white-tailed deer taken legally in Idaho at Sportsman's Warehouse or Intermountain Taxidermy–& Worldwide Adventures–Inc. There is no fee to enter the contest. An awards banquet will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 10 at Radio Rondevoo in Twin Falls. Cost of the banquet is $30. For more information: Jeff Frost, 734-9790 or John Howard, 737-9900.