2025–2026 Contest Rules & Information – Los Cazadores Deer Contest

2026-2027 LOS CAZADORES DEER CONTEST RULES & REGULATIONS

CONTEST MEMBERSHIP / ENTRY OPTIONS:

This year, individual hunters can choose from five (5) options for entering the 2026/2027 deer contest:

Los Cazadores Deer Contest Entry / Cost: $49.99

Includes:

- Entry into the Deer Contest
- 3D Trophy Scan and Scoresheet
- Up to 2 animals entered

Los Cazadores Annual Membership / Cost: $149.99

Includes:

- Entry into the Los Cazadores Deer Contest and Spring Turkey ONLY
- 3D Trophy Scan and Scoresheet
- Up to 4 animals entered

*Annual memberships are available to purchase beginning July 1st through May 16th of the following year. All annual memberships expire July 1st regardless of purchase date. Persons shall register for membership via the internet at www.loscazadores.com or in person at our physical locations.

Los Cazadores Youth (14 years & under)* / Cost: $0.00

Includes:

- Entry into the Caza Youth Division Only
- Up to 2 animals entered
- 3D Trophy Scan and Scoresheet
- Participation Award

* 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 $49.99 PRIOR to harvesting his/her animal. Free youth entries are not required to be registered before submitting an entry. If the youth contestant wants to be placed into another division besides the free Caza youth division, they are required to register BEFORE harvesting. The 2026-2027 FREE Caza Youth Division will not have any placing awards.

The Los Cazadores Lifetime Membership / Cost: $1250.00

Includes:

- All the benefits of the Annual Membership for life

Ranch Entries / Cost: $175.00

Includes:
- Entry into the Los Cazadores Deer Contest ONLY
- 3D Trophy Scan and Scoresheet Sent to the Ranch and the Hunter
- Up to 5 animals entered

2026-2027 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, online or in-person at a Los Cazadores Headquarters location. 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. All Los Cazadores Lifetime members will be officially entered prior to the open registration.

Free youth entries (14 and under) are not required to be registered before submitting an entry. If the youth contestant wants to be placed into another division besides the free Caza youth division, they are required to register BEFORE harvesting. The 2026-2027 FREE Caza Youth Division will not have any placing awards.

2026-2027 Contest Submissions and 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. SCI 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 general season. 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).

Mexico division entries can be submitted until February 28, 2027. If the hunter will still be out of the country when the contest deadline ends, they are REQUIRED to notify the Los Cazadores Contest Director via email at contests@loscazadores.com BEFORE LEAVING the country. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Proof of legal, in-season harvest must be submitted at time of entry, no exceptions.

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. CWD Zone deer will be accepted but it is the contestants responsibility to reach out to the contest director via email at contests@loscazadores.com to prevent being sorted in the Open division. Contestants have 48 hours after submitting to notify the director. Tiebreakers in any and all divisions will be determined by whomever harvested the animal first. SEE GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR MORE DETAILS.

DIVISIONS:

There are eleven (11) total divisions under which an individual can enter an animal. Hunters must provide all information to be sorted into the appropriate division(s). 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 eleven (11) divisions for the 2026/2027 contest and their definitions are listed below:

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.

No county restrictions.

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.

No county restrictions.

Open

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.

No county restrictions.

Hill Country Low Fence

Animals harvested in the counties listed below will be eligible for this division. Animals must be 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.

Counties include: Kimble, Mason, Gillespie, Kerr, Bandera, Kendall, Llano, Burnet, Blanco, Bell, Milam, WIlliamson, Travis, Hays, Comal, Bastrop, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Fayette

Hill Country High Fence

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 the same rules that apply as regular High Fence.

Counties include: Kimble, Mason, Gillespie, Kerr, Bandera, Kendall, Llano, Burnet, Blanco, Bell, Milam, WIlliamson, Travis, Hays, Comal, Bastrop, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Fayette

North Central Low Fence

Animals harvested in the Cross Timber and North Central Wildlife District as defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife will be eligible for this division. Animals must be 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.

Counties Include: Wilbarger, Wichita, Clay, Montague, Cooke, Grayson, Fannin, Lamar, Red River, Bowie, Baylor, Archer, Jack, Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Delta, Hopkins, Franklin, Titus, Morris, Camp, Cass, Throckmorton, Young, Shackelford, Stephens, Palo Pinto, Parker, Tarrant, Dallas, Rockwall, Rains, Wood, Kaufman, Van Zandt, Smith, Callahan, Eastland, Erath, Hood, Somervell, Johnson, Ellis, Henderson, Coleman, Brown, McCullock, San Saba, Mills, Comanche, Hamilton, Lampases, Coryell, Bosque, Hill, Navarro, Limestone, Freestone, Leon, Robertson, McLennan

North Central High Fence

Animals harvested in the Cross Timber and North Central Wildlife District as defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife will be eligible for this division. This division will have the same rules that apply as regular High Fence.

Mexico

Animals harvested in the country of Mexico will be eligible for this division. This division will have a Whitetail and Mule Deer category. Mexico division entries can be submitted until February 28, 2027. If the hunter will still be out of the country when the contest deadline ends, they are REQUIRED to notify the Los Cazadores Contest Director via email at contests@loscazadores.com BEFORE LEAVING the country. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Proof of legal, in-season harvest must be submitted at time of entry, no exceptions.

Archery 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. Animals must be 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.

No county restrictions.

Archery High 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.

No county restrictions.

Caza Youth

These entrants will only compete within the Caza Youth Division. 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 $49.99 prior to harvesting his/her animal. Any hunter that is 14 years of age or younger, as of September 1, 2026, 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 a participation prize ONLY. No placings will occur in the FREE Caza youth Division. Contestants do not have to be registered prior to bringing in their harvest for this division ONLY.

No County Restrictions

AWARDS AND LEADERBOARD:

Overall Contest Awards Include the Following:

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 SCI score. (Open deer will not be eligible). Only Low Fence, High Fence, Hill Country, Timber Creek North Central, Mexico and Archery will compete for the BEST ALL-AROUND category. Honorable Mentions will be made to the winner of this recipient as well as the award title embroidered on their jacket, a plaque, (4) complimentary tickets to the Big Buck Bash Awards Ceremony and an additional prize package valued at $2000.00.

Don Keller Award

This award is voted on by the public and is in honor of late wildlife artist Don Keller. The winner of this award will not be announced until the award banquet. Los Cazadores staff will choose three (3) deer for the public to vote on. Voting will begin after the season has concluded. The winner of this award will have their name added to the honorary plaque located in the Pearsall store, a plaque to take home, a $250 credit to use towards Los Cazadores Taxidermy, (2) complimentary tickets to the Big Buck Bash Awards Ceremony, as well as the award title embroidered on their jacket.

Freak Of The Year

This award will be voted on by the public. Los Cazadores staff will choose three (3) deer for the public to vote on. Voting will begin after the season has concluded. Honorable Mentions will be made to the winner of this recipient as well as a belt buckle, plaque a $250 credit to use towards Los Cazadores Taxidermy, as well as (2) complimentary tickets to the Big Buck Bash Awards Ceremony.

Dead Even

This award is determined by Trophy Scan and honors the most symmetrical typical buck of the season. The winner will have the lowest total side-to-side deductions between antler measurements as determined by Trophy Scan's official scoring. Any deer with a minimum of ten (10) points is eligible. This buck is not necessarily the largest but it is the most perfectly matched, the truest example of a symmetrical typical whitetail. In the event of a tie, the award will go to the deer with the highest gross score. The winner will not be announced until the award banquet, and will receive a $250 credit to use towards Los Cazadores Taxidermy, a plaque, (2) complimentary tickets to the Big Buck Bash Awards Ceremony, and the award title embroidered on their jacket.

Ranch of the Year
NEW FOR 2026-2027 SEASON!! This award is determined by the ranch with the greatest number of entries brought into the Los Cazadores Breezeways. Entries do not have to come through a Ranch Bulk Entry to count — individual and annual membership registrations count toward a ranch's total as well, as long as the customer lists their ranch name on their Breezeway entry form. The winner of this award will receive a plaque, a replica shoulder mount for the deer of their choice from Los Cazadores Taxidermy, (1) table at the 2026-2027 Big Buck Bash, (2) social media posts about their ranch, a blog feature on the Los Cazadores website, as well as (1) email blast recognizing their award with a link to their website/blog.

Contest division awards differ between each division and are listed below.

Division 1: Low Fence

Overall 1st / 2nd / 3rd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET AND LOS CAZADORES GIFT CARD
Most Points 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Widest Spread 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Heavy 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Drop Tine 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Women 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Youth 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Veterans/Military 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 6 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 7 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 8 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 9 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Longest Spike 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Buck 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Doe 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Legends Club 180+ CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET

Division 2: High Fence

Division 3: Open

Division 4: Mexico

Whitetail

Overall 1st / 2nd / 3rd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET AND LOS CAZADORES GIFT CARD
Legends Club 170+ CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET

Mule Deer

Overall 1st / 2nd / 3rd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET AND LOS CAZADORES GIFT CARD
Legends Club 170+ CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET

Division 5: Hill Country Low Fence

Overall 1st / 2nd / 3rd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET AND LOS CAZADORES GIFT CARD
Most Points 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Widest Spread 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Heavy 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Drop Tine 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Women 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Youth 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Veterans/Military 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Archery 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 6 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 7 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 8 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 9 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Longest Spike 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Buck 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Doe 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Legends Club 150+ CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET

Division 6: Hill Country High Fence

Overall 1st / 2nd / 3rd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET AND LOS CAZADORES GIFT CARD
Most Points 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Widest Spread 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Heavy 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Drop Tine 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Women 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Youth 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Veterans/Military 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Archery 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 6 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 7 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 8 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 9 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Longest Spike 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Buck 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Doe 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Legends Club 180+ CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET

Division 7: Archery Low Fence

Division 8: Archery High Fence

Division 9: Youth

Participation Prizes Donated by Burebo with embroidered Los Cazadores Logo

Division 10: North Central Low Fence

Overall 1st / 2nd / 3rd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET AND LOS CAZADORES GIFT CARD
Most Points 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Widest Spread 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Heavy 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Drop Tine 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Women 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Youth 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Veterans/Military 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Archery 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 6 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 7 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 8 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 9 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Longest Spike 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Buck 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Doe 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Legends Club 150+ CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET

Division 11: North Central High Fence

Overall 1st / 2nd / 3rd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET AND LOS CAZADORES GIFT CARD
Most Points 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Widest Spread 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Heavy 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Mr. Drop Tine 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Women 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Youth 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Veterans/Military 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Archery 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 6 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 7 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 8 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Best 9 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Longest Spike 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Buck 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Heaviest Doe 1st / 2nd CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET
Legends Club 180+ CUSTOM EMBROIDERED JACKET

2026-2027 Legends Club Qualifiers:

If an animal harvested meets or exceeds the minimum score for the division it is placed in but does not qualify for an award listed above, the animal is entered into the division's Legend Club (formerly known as “jacket qualifiers”) . The Minimum Scores for the divisions are listed below.

Low Fence Division (180+) The SCI gross score must total 180 or more to be considered for an award.
High Fence Division (200+) The SCI gross score must total 200 or more to be considered for an award.
Open Division (265+) The SCI gross score must total 265 or more to be considered for an award.
Hill Country Low Fence Division (150+) The SCI gross score must total 150 or more to be considered for an award.
Hill Country High Fence Division (180+) The SCI gross score must total 180 or more to be considered for an award.
Mexico Division (170+) The SCI gross score must total 170 or more to be considered for an award.
Archery Low Fence Division (160+) The SCI gross score must total 160 or more to be considered for an award.
Archery High Fence Division (185+) The SCI gross score must total 185 or more to be considered for an award.
North Central Low Fence Division (150+) The SCI gross score must total 150 or more to be considered for an award.
North Central High Fence Division (180+) The SCI gross score must total 180 or more to be considered for an award.

2026-2027 Category Awards:

Most Points

The total number of points measuring over one inch long. See rule #7 in the General Provision section.

Heaviest Buck

"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.

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.

“Mr. Heavy”

The greatest total volume measurement will be used for this category.

“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, the gross score will be used to determine the winner.

Best Buck Women’s

Any female regardless of age is eligible for the Women’s category, as well as any other contest category.

Best Buck Veteran’s / Military

Any United States Veteran or Active Military member regardless of age is eligible for the Veteran's category, as well as any other contest category.

Best Buck Youth (Paid Entries ONLY)

Youth registrants, age 14 and under as of September 1, 2026, are eligible for the youth category, as well as any other contest category. Any contestant over the age of 14 as of September 1, 2026, is not eligible for this category.

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 the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 SCI score.

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.

Mexico Division

Best Mule Deer and Whitetail will be awarded to the highest-ranking buck for the entire contest. This ranking will be based on gross SCI Score.

Winners will be based upon gross SCI 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:

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.

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.

Any deer entered into the Los Cazadores contest MUST be brought to one of the designated contest check-in locations 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 Division animals are the ONLY exception to this rule). Any skull and antler entries will automatically be placed in the “Open Division”. Antlers-only entries are not accepted, no exceptions. CWD Zone deer will be accepted but it is the contestants responsibility to reach out to the contest director via email at contests@loscazadores.com to prevent being sorted in the Open division. Contestants have 48 hours after submitting to notify the director.

All deer 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].

If a single 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 placing. An entrant may make requests no later than 48 hours after the 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. Entrants with multiple deer will receive one award with all qualifying placings embroidered on it.

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 SCI 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.

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.

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.

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.

The Los Cazadores Deer Contest Leaderboard will be updated Bi-Weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays during the regular season. Some exceptions may occur.

2026-2027 Final Thoughts:

** 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.