Trophy Wall always a Banquet highlight A wall of mounted game animals is definitely one of the banquet highlights for many of those attending. Dan Hejl and his crew will be handling the trophy display again this year. There will be a new incentive for members to bring their heads and mounts to the next Banquet. As usual, NBA members are encouraged to bring their mounts to be displayed on the Trophy Wall. As many of you may have noticed, though, the number of mounts brought in has slowed to a trickle in recent years. In fact, the number submitted at last year's Banquet was exactly half of what it was just two years prior to that. The NBA would like to inspire members to bring in their heads and mounts by offering a Rinehart target to one lucky person! Everyone who submits a mount (including skull and European mounts) will have their name thrown into the free raffle for a Rinehard broadhead target (approximate value $180). One chance per person. The drawing will take place on Saturday with the winner announced at the Banquet. The general guidelines for trophy wall submittals are pretty simple, and have been in place for years. Basically, any bow-killed animal that has been taken within the last two years can be submitted. Additionally, we welcome any mount that scores near the top of its category. Heads must be submitted between the hours of 9 am and noon on Saturday morning of the Banquet. Bring them to the check-in table in the Banquet Room located near the NBA registration counter. We ask that if you have multiple mounts to please arrive earlier during the check-in time. This makes it easier for the display crew. Your trophy will be handled as if it were our own, but with that said, please be aware that the NBA and the display crew cannot be held liable for accidents, damage, theft, or otherwise. I hate to bring that up, but it needs to be said. The display crew always looks forward to getting the first look at the mounts, and listening to the hunter relive details of the hunt! We especially love it when a first-time hunter bring in a forkhorn and excitedly regales us with the tale of their bow kill! It doesn't get any better or heartfelt than that! It doesn't matter that your trophy may not score high on the charts. The fact that you killed the animal means that, at the moment, it was a trophy to you, and you should be proud of it! And who knows, you may just go home with a new target! We look forward to seeing everyone at the Banquet. - Dan Hejl |