Any hunter who has harvested a white-tailed deer, mule deer, or pronghorn antelope during the current (2001-2002) hunting season can get the antlers scored by a certified Texas Big Game Awards scorer at selected Academy Sports and Outdoors on Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Academy Sports and Outdoors stores co-hosting these functions are at the following locations only:

Katy, 23155 I-10 West; Austin, 4970 W. U.S. Highway 290
San Antonio, N. Loop 1604 East
North Richland Hills, 7441 N.E. Loop 820

Certified TBGA scorers will be on hand at these locations only. If you would like to have your animal scored, please bring your antlers or trophy mount (no carcasses) to the specified store during the specified hours. All scoring is based on the Boone & Crockett Club scoring system.

Minimum net green Boone & Crockett scores for program eligibility are as follows:

Pronghorn -- 70
Typical mule deer -- 145
Non-typical mule deer -- 160
Typical white-tailed deer -- 125 to 140 (depending on region)
Non-typical white-tailed deer -- 140 to 155 (depending on region)

Rankings are based on net green B&C score. All entries must be scored by certified TBGA scorers to qualify. Entry forms are only available from certified scorers.

Celebrating its 11th year, the Texas Big Game Awards was created by Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Wildlife Association to help preserve the hunting heritage for future generations. The Texas Big Game Awards annually recognizes more than 2,000 hunters, landowners, youth and first-time hunters.

Entry into all categories is open to wild-raised, native-bred, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn that have not been released and that were lawfully harvested in Texas during the current year's hunting season.

Hunters of any age who harvest their first big game animal in Texas may be eligible for the program's First Big Game Harvest division. Any youth hunter up to the age of 17 who purchased a valid Special Youth Hunting License is eligible to enter the Youth Division.

For more information on this or any other Texas Big Game Awards function, call David Brimager at (210) 826-2904 or (800) 839-9453, Ext. 114.