We think the Big Buck Contest will be one of our most popular attractions at the Nebraska Deer & Game Expo! Leader boards are rotated for the many categories and on Sunday an Awards Ceremony showcases the biggest Nebraska bucks of the year and awards the lucky Nebraska hunters.

How To Enter
Bring your trophy to the Nebraska Deer & Game Expo. Once you have paid to enter the show you will turn left inside the Pavilion 4 entry doors and straight ahead is the Big Buck Contest Check-In booth. Purchase a $10 Big Buck Contest entry ticket for official scoring of your trophy. You will be asked to fill out a complete registration form and receive a numbered claim check which correlates to a registration tag that will accompany your trophy. Security and safety of your trophy is always our number one concern. Your trophy will be scored and put on display at the Show and may be picked up Sunday afternoon after 3:00 PM.

Big Buck Special Awards
Best of Show

Big Buck Contest Awards Divisions
Each Category will be separate for Mule Deer & Whitetail Deer:
Top Archery Typical
Top Ladies Archery Non-Typical
Top Archery Non-Typical
Top Ladies Firearm Typical
Top Firearm Typical
Top Ladies Firearm Non-Typical
Top Firearm Non-Typical
Top Historical Typical
Top Youth Typical
Top Historical Non-Typical
Top Youth Non-Typical
Top Typical (All Other States)
Top Ladies Archery Typical
Top Non-Typical (All Other States)


Big Buck Contest Rules of Entry
- Contest open to hunters who legally harvested an antlered whitetail or mule deer in the State of Nebraska.

- Entries will be accepted starting at 3:00 pm on Friday, January 16, 2026, and closing at 11:00 am on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

- Antlers do not need to be mounted. Antlers must have a solid skull plate. 60-day drying period applies. ie: harvested before November 17, 2025,
   to be scored on January 16, 2026.

- If your deer has been previously scored, you MUST bring a copy of the official score sheet. It will not be re-measured.

- Entry Fee is per Trophy and entry in the prize drawing.

- Bucks must have been harvested in the Fall 2024/2025 or 2025/2026 Nebraska Hunting seasons to enter the Firearm, Archery, Muzzleloader,       Crossbow, Ladies Archery, Ladies Firearm, or Youth categories.

- Bucks harvested before the Fall 2024 hunting season must be entered in the Historical category. NOTE: Found Deer (deadheads) can be entered
   in the Historical Category.

- Bucks harvested in other states may be entered in the All-Other States Category regardless of the year harvested.

- To compete in the Youth Firearm or Youth Archery category, hunters must have been under 16 years of age at the time of harvest. Proof of birth
   date may be required.

- No previous Nebraska Deer & Game Expo winners are eligible for an award with the same trophy deer in the same category.

- Female entrants can choose whether to compete in the Ladies &  Archery category, Ladies &  Firearm category, or in the appropriate
   method-specific category (Firearm, Archery, Crossbow, Muzzleloader, Youth). Once entered, the category cannot be changed.

- Deer from Game Farms or deer harvested in high fence areas may NOT be entered in the contest and will not be measured.

Awards and Judging:
- The awards will be given at 3:00 on Sunday in the seminar stage next to the Buck Check-in area.

- Plaques are given to the winner in each category for Mule Deer & Whitetail Deer, Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Firearm Typical &  Non-Typical,
   Muzzleloader Typical & Non-Typical, Youth Firearm Typical & Non-Typical, Youth Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Historical Typical & Non-Typical,
   Ladies Archery Typical & Non-Typical, Ladies Firearm Typical & Non- Typical, Crossbow Typical & Non-Typical, All Other States Typical
   & Non-Typical.

- Entries are eligible for one Award only and must be present at the Awards Presentation to win.

- All entries will be measured by Official Measurers using the Boone & Crockett and/or Pope & Young Scoring System. Bucks can be entered into
  the Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young Record Books if qualified for an additional fee. Bucks that qualify will be entered in the
  Nebraska record book at no charge.

- Judging will be performed on Sunday afternoon. No entries can be picked up without permission before 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

- Awards will be determined based on the Boone & Crockett score and/or Pope & Young score. Trophy deer must be present to win an award.

- You MUST have a Claim Check AND Proof of Identity to claim your entry. No exceptions. Security is a high priority at the show. We strongly
   suggest your trophy be locked in your car after return. No trophy deer will be allowed on the show floor after return.

SCORE ONLY:
- We offer the option to have your deer officially measured by our certified scorers. It will NOT be entered in the contest or displayed. It will NOT 
   be eligible for awards. Antlers MUST be picked up after they are scored. Priority is given to deer entered in the contest first. Cost $5.
 
BIG BUCK REGISTRATION:
Please print and fill out the Big Buck Registration Form to expedite the check in process. For a registration form CLICK HERE

All Deer meeting Boone and Crockett All-time Book requirements will be added to our Hall of Fame list and will get an invite to future shows with free admission in return for displaying the deer.