Contest Membership / Entry Options

This year, hunters can choose from five (5) options for entering the 2023/2024 contest:

1) 2023/2024 Los Cazadores Deer Contest Entry – $50.00

Includes:

• Entry into the Deer Contest
• Entry into all BiWeekly Contests
• 3D Trophy Scan
• Up to 2 animals entered

2) 2023/2024 Los Cazadores Annual Membership – $149.99

Includes:

• Entry into all 2023/2024 Los Cazadores Tournaments (Deer, Turkey, Shed)
• Entry into all Biweekly contests
• 3D Trophy Scan
• Los Cazadores Membership Program
• Up to 4 animlas entered
• Receive exclusive Member only offers

3) 2023/2024 Los Cazadores Youth Division – $0

(12 years and under)*

Includes:

• Entry into the Youth Division Only
• 3D Trophy Scan
• Entry into all Biweekly contests
• Up to 2 animals entered 

*Special Youth entrants are not eligible for other divisions within the contest unless they also pay the annual membership fee of $149.99 or the deer contest entry fee of $40 prior to harvesting his/her animal (See below: “Special Youth”)

4) 2023/2024 Los Cazadores Special Youth Division + Adult divisions – $40

(12 years and under)

Includes:

• Entry into the Youth Division and Adult Deer Contest
• Entry into all Biweekly contests
• 3D Trophy Scan
• Up to 2 animlas entered 

5) The Los Cazadores Lifetime Membership. One-time Fee – $1000

Includes:

• All the benefits of the Annual Membership for life

*Annual memberships are available to purchase beginning July 31 through May 31 of the following year. All annual memberships expire July 31 regardless of purchase date. Persons shall register for membership by mail, via the internet @ www.loscazadores.com, or in person at our physical locations in Pearsall or Stonewall. Only one membership per hunter is required, and each membership is eligible for only one award in a qualifying contest category. Hunters may submit multiple entries for the contest. 

Registration

A hunter is considered officially registered for the Los Cazadores Contest at the exact time and date that his or her entry form and fee is physically received via mail or in-person at a Los Cazadores Headquarters location. If a hunter submits his or her registration form online, there is a six (6) hour waiting period before that entry is official. Actual time of harvest of any legally taken wild game submitted for the contest must be after the hunter’s official contest entry time and date (except for Internet entries, in which the six hour “wait period” must have been met.). All LC Lifetime members will be officially entered prior to the open registration.

Contest Scoring

To enter a trophy in the contest, the antlers of the trophy must be scored by an approved Los Cazadores scanner at an official Los Cazadores Contest site (Pearsall & Stonewall) Boone & Crockett scoring guidelines will be used to determine scores except where otherwise noted.

Animals will be scored during normal Los Cazadores Store business hours. The contest will end with the close of the Texas and Mexico General seasons. We will allow entries up to two days after the final day of regular season, but proof of legal, in-season harvest must be submitted at time of entry, no exceptions (no late season MLDP deer will be accepted).

All bucks from Texas MUST have the cape attached to the head to be entered into any division other than the “Open Division.” Skull cap and antlers entries are accepted but will automatically be placed in the “Open Division” ONLY. Skull cap MUST be attached. NO antlers-only entries will be accepted, no exceptions.

Tiebreakers in any and all divisions will be determined by whomever harvested the animal first. SEE GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Contest Divisions:

There are eleven (11) total divisions under which an individual can enter an animal, as well as one overall winner and the Don Keller awards winner. Hunters must enter the animal in the appropriate division. Example: An animal harvested with a bow must be entered in the “Archery” division in either the “High Fence” or the “Low Fence” divisions. The overall and division winners are as follows:

*BiWeekly Contest- Whitetail ONLY- To qualify, Hunter MUST be registered before harvest- Deer MUST be shot within that week AND brought in within that 2 week period . Winners are solidified the following Monday.

Overall Winner, Best All-Around

This Best All-Around buck will be awarded to the highest-ranking buck for the entire contest. Ranking will be based on gross B&C score. (Open deer will not be eligible).

Only Low Fence, High Fence, Hill Country, West Texas, Mexico and Archery will compete for the BEST ALL-AROUND category.

Division 1: Low Fence

Animals harvested in Texas from property with no game-proof fencing, or property that has at least one mile of its perimeter with non-game proof fencing.

Division 2: High Fence

Animals harvested in Texas from property completely fenced with game-proof fencing, or property that has less than one mile of non-game proof fencing or less than one mile with no fencing. Including animals harvested in non-game proof fenced pastures that are within a property that qualifies for this.

Division 3: Open Division

This division includes all deer that have ever been in a regulated breeding program and subsequently released and harvested by ANYONE. The definition of a regulated breeding program is any action that requires a Texas Parks and Wildlife permit (including DMP deer). ANY buck that has a noticeable tag hole or State ID tattoo/ RFID Chip will automatically be placed in this division. Any buck from Texas that is submitted without the cape attached to the head will also be placed in this division. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Division 4: Hill Country Division

Animals harvested in the Hill Country Wildlife District as defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife will be eligible for this division. This division will have a High Fence, Low Fence, and Special Youth category.

Division 5: Mexico Division

Animals harvested in the country of Mexico will be eligible for this division. This division will have a Whitetail and Mule Deer category.

Division 6: West Texas

Additional counties have been added to include West Texas Whitetail expanding outside of the Trans Pecos Wildlife District.

New Counties include: Loving*, Ward*, Crane*, Upton*, Reagan, Irion, Tom Green, Winkler*, Ector*, Midland*, Glasscock, Sterling, Coke, Andrews, Martin, Howard, Mitchell, Nolan, Taylor.

**Animals harvested in the Trans Pecos Wildlife District as defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife will be eligible for this division.

Division 7: Archery

The Archery Division will be separated by High Fence & Low Fence.

Animals harvested by bow and arrow. Crossbows do not qualify as a bow and arrow. Pope and Young Club rules regarding the harvest of an animal apply to all entries.

Division 8: Special Youth

These entrants will only compete within the Special Youth Division. Special Youth entrants are not eligible for other divisions within the contest unless they pay the annual membership fee of $149.99 or the deer contest entry of $40.00 prior to harvesting his/her animal. Any hunter that is 12 years of age or younger, as of September 1, 2022, will be eligible for this division. Every entrant in this division that is entered in the contest and brings in an animal that is included in the contest, will receive an award and be listed on the official Los Cazadores leaderboard.

Division 9: Exotic Division

All animals harvested for this division must meet the specific High Fence and Low Fence rules described in the Division 1 and 2 above.

Award Category: Trophy Jackets

Open Division Jacket (240+) The B&C gross score must total 240 or more to be considered for a trophy jacket in the Open Division.

High Fence Division Jacket (180+)The B&C gross score must total 180 or more to be considered for a trophy jacket in the High Fence Division.

Low Fence Division Jacket (170+)The B&C gross score must total 170 or more for to be considered for a trophy jacket in the Low fence division.

Mexico Division Jacket (170+) The B&C gross score must total 170 or more for to be considered for a trophy jacket in the Mexico division.

Archery Division Jacket (160+ Low Fence, 170+ High Fence) The B&C gross score must total 160(LF), 170(HF) or more for consideration to be awarded a trophy jacket in the Archery Division.

Hill Country Division Jacket (150+ Low Fence, 170+ High Fence) The B&C gross score must total 150(LF), 170 (HF) or more for consideration to be awarded a trophy jacket in the Hill Country Division.

West Texas Division Jacket-Whitetail (160+ Low Fence, 180+ High Fence) The B&C gross score must total 160(LF), 180 (HF) or more for consideration to be awarded a trophy jacket in the West Texas Division.

Award Category: List of Specific Awards

1. Most Points– The total number of points measuring over one inch long. See rule #7 in the General Provision section.
2. Heaviest Buck- for “weight division” trophies, the whole, “field dressed” carcass must be brought to the LOS CAZADORES HEADQUARTERS location for official weighing (all entrails, including heart, liver, lungs, are to be removed and discarded PRIOR to bringing carcass to Headquarters). Sexual organs and globules of “fat” may be left intact, on/inside the carcass. In the case of a “Tie”, the winner will be the first person to have registered into the contest.
3. Widest Spread– The greatest inside spread between both main beams maintaining a right angle to the skull (measuring diagonally is not allowed). Tiebreakers determined by tip-to-tip spread.
4. “Mr. Heavy” – Highest Volumetric Score.
5. “Mr. Drop Tine” – a drop tine is considered any antler that comes off the main beam, growing in a downward direction. Any point that appears to be a “burr point” or originating from the base of the main beam will NOT be considered for this category. If the drop tine turns upward and exceeds the level of either main beam it will NOT be considered for this category. The length of the “single” longest drop TINE will determine the winner. If a buck has multiple drop tines only the longest tine will be used to determine the score. In case of a tie, gross score will be used to determine the winner.
6. Best Buck Women’s – Any female regardless of age is eligible for the Women’s category, as well as any other contest category.
7. Best Buck Youth (U17)- Youth registrants, age 17 and under as of September 1, 2021, are eligible for the youth category, as well as any other contest category.
8. Heaviest Doe – a doe is defined as an antlerless deer with female sexual organs. Weight is determined by the whole, “field dressed” carcass, which must be brought to a LOS CAZADORES location for official weighing (all entrails, including heart, liver, lungs, are to be removed and discarded PRIOR to bringing carcass to Headquarters). Sexual organs and globules of “fat” may be left intact, on/inside the carcass. In the case of a “Tie”, the winner will be the first person to have harvested the animal.
9. Biggest Spike – the deer must have two individual main beam points. The combined total length of both individual tines will determine the winner. Any abnormal points, exceeding one inch 1” will disqualify the buck from this category.
10. Heaviest Wild Hog – the heaviest hog wins; “trapped” (then killed) wild hogs are not eligible for entry in the contest. Wild hogs that have been “pen fed” then released to be killed, running as free ranging animals are not eligible. For “weight division” trophies, the whole, “field dressed” carcass must be brought to a LOS CAZADORES HEADQUARTERS location for official weighing (all entrails, including heart, liver, lungs, are to be removed and discarded PRIOR to bringing the carcass to Headquarters). Sexual organs and globules of “fat” may be left intact on/inside the carcass.
11. Best Six Point Buck – the deer must be a typical 6 POINT buck having two main beams, two G 1 points (brow tines) and having a total of four typical, “G” tines. A deer that had apparently been a typical 7, 8, or 9 pointer that has a typical point(s) broken off will not be considered a 6 point for this Contest category. ANY abnormal scoreable points or broken points (one inch or more) will disqualify the buck from this category. The animal’s Contest score will be the gross, typical B & C score.
12. Best Seven Point Buck – the deer must be a typical 7 POINT buck having two main beams, two G 1 points (brow tines) and having a total of five typical, “G” tines. A deer that had apparently been a “typical 7”, but one of the G l’s, G 2’s, or G 3’s is broken off below the level of where a measurement can be taken (less than one inch), the buck will still be considered an 7 pointer, not a 6 pointer. A deer that had apparently been a typical 8 or 9 pointer that has a typical point (s) broken off will not be considered a 7 point for this Contest. ANY abnormal scoreable points or broken points (one inch or more) will disqualify the buck from this category. The animal’s Contest score will be the gross, typical B & C score.
13. Best Eight Point Buck – the deer must be a typical 8 POINT buck having two main beams, two G 1 points (brow tines) and having a total of six typical, “G” tines. A deer that had apparently been a “typical 8”, but one of the G l’s, G 2’s, or G 3’s is broken off below the level of where a measurement can be taken (less than one inch), the buck will still be considered an 8 pointer, not a 7 or 6 pointer. A deer that had apparently been a clean, typical 9 point or 10 point that has a typical point(s) broken off will not be considered an 8 point for this particular Contest category. ANY abnormal scoreable points or broken points (one inch or more) will disqualify the buck from this category. The animal’s contest score will be the gross, typical B&C score.
14. Best Nine Point Buck – the deer must be a typical 9 POINT buck having two main beams, two G 1 points (brow tines) and having a total of seven typical, “G” tines. A deer that had apparently been a “typical 9”, but one of the G l’s, G 2’s, or G 3’s is broken off below the level of where a measurement can be taken (less than one inch), the buck will still be considered an 9 pointer, not a 8, 7 or 6 pointer. A deer that had apparently been a clean, typical 10 or 11 point that has had a typical point(s) broken off will not be considered a 9 point for this particular Contest category. ANY abnormal scoreable points or broken points (one inch or more) will disqualify the buck from this category. The trophy’s contest score will be the gross, typical B & C score.
15. West Texas Division – Best Elk and Best Mule Deer will be awarded to the highest-ranking buck for the entire contest. This ranking will be based on gross B&C score
16. West Texas Division – Best Aoudad will be awarded to the highest-ranking sheep for the entire contest. This ranking will be based on SCI score.
17. Mexico Division – Best Mule Deer will be awarded to the highest-ranking buck for the entire contest. This ranking will be based on gross B&C score.
18. Exotic Division – Best Black Buck, Fallow and Axis will be awarded to the highest ranking animal based on the gross SCI score.
19. Freak of the Year – winner selected by the Los Cazadores staff for the craziest looking animal entered into the contest.

Winners will be based upon gross B&C score and all tiebreakers determined by whomever harvested the animal first, except as noted elsewhere within contest rules. Except for a “full velvet” trophy, no deducts of any kind will be taken from the animal’s gross score. If a trophy brought in for scoring is in “velvet”, it will be scored with velvet. The velvet measured score will then be reduced by 2 percent to get the “official” Los Cazadores Contest score. If the hunter chooses, he may “scrape the velvet off’ and have the antlers re-scored. If the antlers are scraped and re-scored, the “scraped” score will be the official Los Cazadores score. Pieces of broken antler points will not be scored.

General Provisions:

1. The Los Cazadores Deer Contest entrant accepts responsibility for reading, understanding, and following these rules, and acknowledges that failure to comply with and/or meet the rules is grounds for disqualification of membership for any particular year. Persons who enter other persons in the Los Cazadores Deer Contest are responsible for informing those persons of all provisions, rules and regulations.
2. Any animal entered in this Contest is subject to an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the harvesting of the animal, including requiring the entrant to submit to a polygraph examination, if necessary.
3. Any deer entered into the Los Cazadores contest MUST be brought to one of the designed contest check-in locations (Pearsall & Stonewall and or other wise noted location.) to be formally entered into the contest. All bucks must have the cape attached to the skull in order to be considered for entry (Mexico and West Texas Division animals are the ONLY exception to this rule). Any skull and antlers entries will automatically be placed in the “Open Division”. Antlers-only entries are not accepted, no exceptions.
4. All deer, wild hogs, or turkeys submitted for entry in the Los Cazadores Contest must be harvested in accordance with rules/regulations of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, for TEXAS trophies, and in accordance with appropriate rules of respective states in the country of MEXICO for Mexico entrants. Upon submitting a deer for measuring and consideration as a prospective winner in the Contest, all data regarding the name, address, etc. of the person who harvested the animal must be the true and accurate name, full address, etc. of the actual hunter, as well as an accurate and true identification of the specific county and ranch from which the animal was harvested. [At the request of the hunter, Los Cazadores will not reveal the name of the ranch and/or landowner from which the trophy was harvested, except to and at the request of a State of Texas Game Warden, who will be informed about hunter’s request that the name of the ranch/land owner not be made public, if at all possible].
5. If an animal qualifies for more than one award category, the entrant may choose which category he/she wants his deer entered in. The entrant may change his/her category during the contest, or an entrant may enter more than one animal, but each animal is eligible for only one award. An entrant may make requests no later than 48 hours after close of respective seasons. It is the sole responsibility of the hunter to keep on top of the placing and/or changing of his or her animal in a division.
6. A “point” (typical, non-typical, drop, etc.) is any antler projection that is at least one inch long AND its length is longer than its base and/or meets other B&C point definitions. Antler growth that originates from a location on the skull, other than from the two, normal, main beams, will be counted as non-typical points as long as growth meets point definition.
7. Any tax obligation or other apparent cost incurred as a result of any prize awarded herein will be the responsibility of the recipient of the prize.
8. In any category in which an award is a firearm of any type and in which a minor (anyone under the age of 18 years old on the precise date that the award is to be presented) is the recipient, the minor will be awarded a substitute award (no firearm of any type) of equal value.
9. In the event of a “Tie” for any deer entered in a certain “Category” (ex: Most Points, Mr. Drop Tine etc.), the animal of which was harvested first will be determined the winner. In the weight categories of the Los Cazadores Deer Contest, the “Tie” goes to the person who entered the contest first.

*IT IS UP TO THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE LOS CAZADORES STAFF TO PLACE ANY BUCK IN THE OPEN DIVISION AS WE SEE FIT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF OTHER DIVISIONS IN THE CONTEST.

*ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND THE LOS CAZADORES OWNERSHIP WILL MAKE FINAL DETERMINATION. ALL WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO RE- SCORE AND NO POSTED RESULTS ARE FINAL UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THE CONTEST AND POSTING OF THE OFFICIAL “FINAL LEADERBOARD”. ANY DISPUTES OR CHANGES MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE LOS CAZADORES HEADQUARTERS IN PERSON OR IN WRITING BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE CONTEST.

The Los Cazadores Contest starts on opening day of Whitetail Archery season in Texas and wraps up with the end of the general season in South Texas. To learn more about the dates, click here.

Anyone, any age, can enter the contest! There’s a spot for everyone to compete and enjoy the experience.

Los Cazadores has annually given out jackets for those who have qualified and/or won a category. Category winners will also receive a plaque along with their jacket. These prizes also come with the ultimate bragging rights!

We have an annual awards day at Stonewall and Pearsall where you can pick up your prizes, take photos, and celebrate. To keep track of our Awards Days, follow us on Instagram or Facebook!

After our Awards Days, we do offer shipping to those who couldn’t make it out to celebrate. You’ll just need to give us a call!

The Biweekly contests are one of the most competitive elements of Los Cazadores. Every two weeks of deer season we host a different contest. Such as “10 point closest to 150” or “Longest Spike”. You have to be registered for the contest to compete in each weekly. Also, the animal has to be harvested and checked into Pearsall or Stonewall during the two week period of each specific contest in order to qualify. We’ll be giving away almost $3000 worth of prizes from various sponsors.

Since 2019, we have scored every single deer in the contest using Trophy Scan, the ultimate 3D scoring software. This technology allows us to score down to the thousandth of an inch and you will walk away with a score sheet (Boone & Crockett gross) and a 3D photo/GIF of your animal. Check out Trophy Scan to see what all they can do.

Once you have checked into the contest, received a score and have turned in your field photo, you should see yourself on the leaderboard within one business week.

Any animal that has met the minimum score requirements for your respective division and/ or has placed in a category. Example, for the Low Fence Division the minimum score is 170 + B&C to get a jacket but if you are leading the biggest 8 point, you will receive a jacket for placing in that category.

You are welcome to bring in as many animals as your entry includes (you can purchase more entries if you want to bring in more animals), however you can only win one category. If you qualify for winning multiple categories, you must declare which one you want to win and you will receive your jacket for that category.

Please send all field photos to contest@lozcazadores.com and use your name as the subject line.

The free youth entry means that anyone 12 and under can compete within the special youth division. Paying the $40 youth entry fee means that you can compete within Special Youth and any other division in the contest.

The Los Cazadores Annual Membership includes your entry into the contest, up to 4 animals entered. This membership also comes with special promo codes and perks. This membership will also include your entry into the shed & turkey contests. 

The open division is for any deer that has been in a breeding facility and/or been released from a breeding program. This includes deer that have been purchased and transferred to any ranch and released. “Open” deer have a tag hole and tattoos in their ear. We check all ears in the contest to determine if the deer goes into the open. Any deer brought into the contest that does not have ears to check (skull capped), will automatically be put in the open division. A good rule of thumb is to always bring contest deer in with ears intact. However, that is not required.