Normally, the Buchnowski family are meat hunters. They prefer venison over store bought beef, and Amy does her own field dressing, as well as butchering. When one of the Buchnowski tribe downs a deer, they all pitch in. Their hunting style is to hike and glass over the terrain looking for a “shooter.” Once the deer is down, they quarter out the deer and pack the meat back home. In 2019, the Buchnowskis already had three deer in the freezer — two from the kids and Nick, the father, tagged a big white tail, so Amy had the luxury of hunting for a trophy.

It was Nov. 24 with snow on the ground and cold, when Amy spied two mule deer. The buck was tending a doe, and he was sporting some impressive head gear. He had seven long tines on one side and six similar tines on the other. At 200 yards, Amy settled in and put the cross hairs of her 308 rifle, equipped with a legal suppresser on the boiler maker and dropped the big deer in its tracks. The family was alerted and answered the call and congratulated her.

Amy intends to have her trophy mounted and it will be on display in the local sporting goods store. Congratulations!

Just a comment. New York State, we are missing the boat by not lowering the legal hunting age to at least 12 years of age in our state.

Amy Buchnowski proudly displays her trophy 7-by-6 mule deer taken in Montana in 2019. Submitted Photo.

Calendar: Lakeshore Longbeards annual membership/fundraiser banquet, will be held on Jan. 18 at the Koscuisko Club in Dunkirk. Nearly 20 firearms will be raffled off at this event. You can purchase tickets by calling Bob Turk. The Longbeards will also be having one last committee meeting today at Liberty Vineyards located on Route 20 in Sheridan at 7 p.m. Committee members can turn in pre-sale tickets then and you can also purchase your pre-sale tickets at the meeting.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club is looking for people interested in learning “how to tie their own fishing flies.” Several advanced fly-tiers will be on hand to give individual attention to persons who would like to learn this hobby. All materials and equipment are provided free. The learning area is secure and a controlled environment from 6 until 8 p.m. You get to keep what you make. Refreshments are usually provided and always free. No experience necessary, no sign up required. Just show up and have fun.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, Jan. 26 starting at 2 p.m.

The Con Club annual Sportsman’s Party will be on Saturday, Feb. 1, starting at 5 p.m. Anyone who was entered in the fishing or hunting contest is invited free. Bring a dish to pass. Prizes will be awarded that same evening.

The Con Club will also be having a fishermans Flea market offering used fishing items at great prices on Sunday, Feb. 9. Open to the public.

Upcoming Gun Shows: Jan. 25-26 at the Conneaut Lake Sportsmens Association, located at 11861 Sportsman Road (off Route 18) in Conneaut Lake, PA, 16316. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

March 7-8 at the Hickory Post VFW, located at 5550 East State Street (US Route 62, East of PA 18, West of Mercer on 62) Hermitage, PA, 16148. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

March 21-22, 2020 at the Harborcreek Fire Dept. Social Hall, located 7275 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, PA, 16421 (Located US Route 20 between North East, PA and Harborcreek, PA). Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

April 18-19 at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds. The show is located at the Ashtabula County Expo Center Building at 127 North Elm Street, Jefferson, OH, 44047. Times are Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information on any of the upcoming shows listed, call Larry Spicer (716) 792-9972.

Children of the Stream will present weekly free fly-tying classes every Tuesday from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the Costello Room in the Rockefeller Art Center at the State University of New York Fredonia, starting Aug. 27. Children ages 12 and up, including adults are welcome and encouraged to attend. All tools and material will be provided for free.

The Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo held at the Conference & Events Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls Street Niagara Falls will be on Jan. 17-19. For more info go to www.NiagaraFishingExpo.com.

Southtowns Walleye Outfitters Fair will be on Feb. 8, 2020 at the club. To sell items, it costs $25 per table. Call 796-5372 or 864-2938. No guns or ammunition.

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety training/trapping course or a turkey shoot or any other outdoors event, and would like to see it posted in the calendar, send information to the OBSERVER, 10 East Second Street, Dunkirk, NY 14048, or call the sports department at 366-3000 ext. 5 after 6 p.m.

Note: If you have a big game fishing or trapping success story you would like to share, call 366-1772, or 467-2079 and leave a name, phone number and a time you can be reached. You can also call 366-3000, ext. 5, after 6 p.m. or email sports@observertoday.com.