A Desert Bighorn hunt (not just a tag) is once again up for grabs as part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Big Time Texas Hunts” raffle program. The winner of the "Texas Grand Slam" raffle package will receive four separate hunts. One of those hunts is for a Desert Bighorn ram. Entries are only $10 each but you must purchase your entry (or entries, as there is no limit on the number you may purchase) by Monday, October 15, 2007. This deadline is much earlier than in years past.

The webpage to start at for information is: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/btth/grandslam.phtml

A "print and mail-in" order form is available at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdforms/media...w7000_btth_entry.pdf

To order raffle tickets on-line or by phone, go to: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/btth/enter.phtml

Text from the website:
"This is truly the hunt of a lifetime. The Texas Grand Slam offers one lucky winer four separate hunts for Texas big game: desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope and desert mule deer.

This package also includes food, lodging, taxidermy provided by Woodbury's of Ingram and professional guide service for all four trips. TPWD only issues two to three bighorn sheep public permits a year; this is your chance to be one of the few able to hunt this majestic animal."


"Winning this package was a total surprise. My wife and I came away from this wonderful experience with many great memories"
- Danny J. Bennett, Texas Grand Slam 2006 winner

Only one week left to get in on this raffle...

From: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20071029a

Oct. 29, 2007

Big Time Texas Hunts Winners Selected

AUSTIN, Texas — Tommy Bridgers has joined an elite group of sportsmen who can call themselves desert bighorn sheep hunters. That’s because the Duncanville, Texas resident is this year’s winner of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Big Time Texas Hunts Grand Slam.

“I’m absolutely flabbergasted,” exclaimed Bridgers. “That’s the only way I can describe how excited I am about winning this contest.”

Bridgers was selected in a random computer drawing from among 20,355 Texas Grand Slam entries and will participate in a series of four separate guided hunts for all four big game animals in Texas — white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn antelope and desert bighorn sheep.

Bridgers paid $10 to apply for the drawing and said he has been entering the Big Time Texas Hunts annually. The bighorn sheep hunt alone is priceless, something only a handful of people ever get a chance to experience. “I’m a member of the Dallas Safari Club and I know we auctioned off a bighorn permit last year for about $100,000,” he said. “Anybody who hunts sheep knows how hard it is to get one of these permits.”

For his four hunts, Bridgers just needs to bring hunting gear and a valid hunting license. Guide service, food, lodging, and on-site transportation for himself and a non-hunting companion are all provided.

Here are this year’s winners and hometowns for all seven Big Time Texas Hunts categories:

Texas Grand Slam
- Tommy H. Bridgers, Duncanville, TX

Texas Exotic Safari
- Jimmy R, Clark, Somerville, TX
- Oscar Buenrostro, Houston, TX

Texas Premium Buck
- Kenneth Watson, Weatherford, TX

Texas Whitetail Bonanza
- Alan C. Weston, Burnet, TX
- David G. Fallin, The Woodlands, TX
- Jean J. Astie, , Dallas, TX
- Robert Valentine, Houston, TX
- Stephen L. Holley, Dallas, TX
- Lee R. Jones, , Wichita Falls, TX
- Buren A. Haltom, Dayton, TX
- Ward M. Cooksey, Sulphur Springs, TX
- Miguel Saldivar, Devine, TX
- Roberto J. Laurel, Laredo, TX

Texas Big Time Bird Hunt
- Paulino Silguero, Hebbronville, TX

Texas Waterfowl Adventure
- Richard A. Pratt, Plano, TX

Texas Gator Hunt
- Adolfo C. Nabarrette, Odessa, TX

All told, hunters bought 79,815 Big Time Texas Hunt entries during this year’s sales period from Aug. 15 through the Oct. 15 deadline. This generated $798,150 in gross revenue to support wildlife research, habitat management and public hunting.