The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all participants of this years contest.  And a huge "Thank You" to all the Pole Workers that helped run the show ! 
 
• Ernie Fish of Fish Builders
• Jim Farley
• Roy Turay of R&J Guns
• Bob Wasek

Ernie Fish of Fish Builders donated his time and equipment to get these beasts up and on to the pole. They aren't anything like hoisting a deer up with block 'n tackle. We needed the big stuff for these huge animals.

Fish Builders
(Ernie Fish - Owner)
Atlanta, Michigan
989-785-4503

Pat Lessel of Clarkston would have took a trophy and a million dollars for prize money if she hung her 600lb 6x7 Bull for the contest. (monetary amount exagerated a bit)
The storm was well under way and she had a quite a bit of driving time ahead of her and couldn't participate. Poor Pat. Elk Pole workers tried every possible reason or line to get her to hang this bull. Even to tell her all roads were shut down and they may as well hang their bounty and book a motel room overnight. 

the Thunder Bay Deli
of Atlanta donated some delicious hot food for all the Pole Workers that really hit the spot! The generosity and tasty food was greatly appreciated!


 

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Click on any picture for an
Expanded View 

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Going for the Prize  - This CVA Wolf Nickle Barrel 50cal. black powder rifle was given for the Largest Rack. The stock engraving was done by American Marking Products of Lewiston. 

Bill Koenig of Hillman received the rifle with his 720lb 6x7 Bull that had a pair of 47 3/4" beams with a 37" inside spread. A crown of royalty indeed. Congratulations Bill!

Richard Messing checking in (above) and his hunting party (below)

Richard Messing of Routh came in at 10:25am on Day #1 with a royal 610lb 6x6 Bull. Since Richard couldn't stay for contest duration he forfeited his 1st Bull Elk in placement. Richard did receive a Contest Hat and gift certificate in appreciation for hanging his elk for a few hours for spectator and hunter viewing. Richard got his bull with a 30:06 at 100yds out at 3M Ranch. 

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Dave Messana of Clinton Twnsp arrived at 11:20am on Day#1 with his 580lb 6x6 Bull that he bagged with a 7mm Remington mag at 200yds and a one shot drop

6 Bull Elk were remaining hanging at Contest deadline time on Day #2.  To think, a full pole with 6 Elk, where the Buck Pole had 22 hanging at close time.  Both poles were equal to weight!!!

DNR Biologist Jennifer Kleitch of the Atlanta Station gave an informative question/answer presentation on elk and their habitat at 2pm on day #2. It was snowing pretty good at the time, yet a few folks attended and furthered their education on elk in our area. Thanks for taking the time for us Jennifer!

Pat McPharlen of Port Huron came in at 2:51pm on Day #1 with a 440lb 5x6 Bull he bagged using a 30:06 at 150yds. Though Pat didn't place for a trophy, he won a trophy reindeer ornament donated by the girls of the Atlanta Family Dollar Store, in Atlanta Sweatshirt from Freddies Family Market, and a  goodie bag from the Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union (Atlanta branch) and a subscription to Woman Hunter Magazine personally signed by Jennifer Olsen of Michigan Outdoors for his lady companion

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Mike Scheur  of Zeeland was our last entry, coming in at 1:50pm on Day #2 with his nice 500lb 5x4 Bull taken with a 7mm mag at 100yds. Mike was successfully guided by 
Chad Sides..  Mike didn't qualify for a placement trophy but received (2) reindeer ornaments donated by the girls at our Atlanta Family Dollar Store, a gift certificate from Tassie's Lawn Ornaments in east Atlanta, a goodie bag donated by the Alpena Alcona Are Credit Union (Atlanta branch) and a gift certificate donated by JD's Place in Atlanta.

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Ben Taylor of Cadillac pulled into the pole around noon with a 6x6 440lb bull. Due to the approaching storm, Ben decided not to hang and take his prize homebound before the storm hit. Thanks for stopping in Ben. Ya done yourself proud!

The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce offered a Hospitality Room for all hunters and spectators to come in out of the cold winds  to enjoy free coffee and treats.

The recently aquired building (the old State Wide Real Estate building) will make a fantastic base for the Chamber to service the community including hosting events like the Buck Pole  and Elk Pole Contests.

 
 

All hunters that hung their elk received a 2009 Elk Pole Contest Camo Hat & Gift Certificates provided by some of our local business's listed below. Their donations help reward those who participated in our Atlanta  Elk Pole Contest. 

Thankyou for your support!

Bill Koenig of Hillman got the triple take with a majestic 720lb 6x7 Bull Elk taken at a farm in the Hillman area. Shot this king with a 270 Winchester at 100yds in the midst of heavy snow to boot!   Bill won a Trophy, a CVA Wolf Nickle Barrel 50cal. Black Powder Rifle with an engraved Stock commemorating that he got the Largest Rack at our 2009 Atlanta Elk Pole, complete with the trademarked Chamber Elk Logo. The beautiful engraving work was donated by American Marking Products in Lewiston.
For Heaviest Elk placement he was awarded a trophy & $100.00 check made available by business and individual cash donations.
Bill also won a gift certificate donated by A-1 Woods & Water in Hillman

Vern Kruithof of Zeeland won placement of Oldest Hunter, being 77 yrs young. Vern brought in a 540lb 7x7 Bull he bagged using a 338 Browning at 75yds and was successfully guided by Bob Whitney of Elk View Cabins in Atlanta.  Though Vern wasn't present at prize giveaway time, his Elk was to accept the prizes for him. 
   Vern won a trophy, a 2-way Radio set donated by CCR residents Tom & Carolyn Williams, a 5lb bag of "Bull Elk" bean coffee donated by North Woods Coffee House Gallery and a gift certificate donated by the Thunder Bay Deli in Atlanta.

* First In *

Dave Messana of Routh placed 1st in by foreiture because he stuck it out through the snow storm to hang his bull for the duration of the contest. Dave needn't a contest placement to know he got his true prize with his 7mm Remington mag and helpful guide, Troy Huff.
Dave received a trophy, a Woodland Scene porchlite & Camo Knife donated by Bernard Bldg Cntr of Hillman, also a Bull Elk Scene door matt donated by Northwoods Services & Construction and a gift certificate donated by JD's Place both in Atlanta. 

* First Cow *

Christopher Snabes of brought in the First Cow at 6:45pm on day #1.  She weighed a good 345lbs and was taken by Dave's 308 at 100yds. Chris was successfully guided by Bob Whitney of Elk View Cabins in Atlanta. of Chris won a trophy, a Vivitar Telescope donated by Wood Floors 'n More and a gift certificate from JD's Place, both in Atlanta
 
 
 

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