The trophy display saw many great heads on display.
NEWS Obin Hubner
The Hunter Valley Branch recently hosted our annual Stags and Brags Christmas Dinner and Awards Night.
Each year we hold the event at a local clay target range where there is plenty of room to set up caravans, swags, cars, and so on. It was fantastic to see so many familiar and new faces – we counted around 60 members in attendance, and we’re excited to share some of the highlights with you.
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We started the day off with a 5-stand shotgun shoot. It’s always a great activity with plenty of friendly competition. Once that event wraps up the beers can start flowing and the food can commence.
The food once again this year set a new standard. Our food is always put together by our members who roll up their sleeves and created an incredible feast:
Entrée – Martin Thann kicked things off with delicious venison pies and sausage rolls.
Smoked Sambar – Brian Boyle served a beautifully smoked sambar leg with onion and gravy.
Seafood Course – 8 kg of locally caught Hunter River prawns, generously acquired by Gregg Flett.
Main Courses – A serious spread, including:
4 kg of venison stroganoff (by Martin Thann) served with pasta
6 kg of venison chilli con carne (by Odin Hubner)
11 kg of smoked beef brisket (by Odin Hubner)
Three smoked lamb shoulders (by Richard Chambers)
All accompanied by potato salad, rice and bread rolls
Desert: Dulce de leche sponge cake and Biscoff Cheesecake (by Odin Hubner)
The trophy display was outstanding this year. With the help of some mounting boards supplied by Martin Thann, we were able to present a superb line-up. More than 60 heads were displayed and eligible for our branch awards – a great reflection of thewatermatl effort and success of our members throughout the year.
Thank you to everyone who attended, brought dishes, donated prizes, helped set up and pack down, and contributed trophies. Your support and enthusiasm are what make this event such a highlight on the branch calendar. We’re already looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming meetings, hunts and social events in 2026.
Hunter Valley Branch Hunting Awards
First deer:
Cody Burges
Josh Steel
Third Best Fallow: Justin Maas
Second Best Fallow: Gregg Flett
Best Fallow: David Cranfield (Douglas score of 233 7/8)
Best Chital: Mark Neal
Best Rusa: James Barben (Douglas score of 218 3/8)
Third Best Hog Deer: Brian Boyle
Second Best Hog Deer: Gregg Flett
Best Hog Deer: Glenn Schofield (Douglas score of 99 7/8)
Third Best Red: Chris Adney
Second Best Red: Barry Sneddon
Best Red: Clinton Bambach (Douglas score of 256 5/8)
Third Best Sambar: Gregg Flett
Second Best Sambar: Shannon Rowe
Best Sambar: Gregg Flett (Douglas score of 158 2/8)
Best Australian Species: James Barben (Rusa DS 218 3/8)
Best Overseas: James Barben (Yezo Sika 215 7/8)
Best Pig: Brendan Moss
Best Goat: Odin Hubner
Junior Hunter of the Year: Hunter Linsley
Hunter Valley ADA Hunter of the year: Gregg Flett
Best Deer with a Bow: Jason Lesage
Novelty and Non-Hunting Awards
Fugly Award: Mark Neal (Rusa)
High Country Hoggie (A Sambar under 20”): Gregg Flett
Member of the year: Chris Adney
Raffle
Major Prize Winner: Steve Beveridge with a $1000 gift certificate for TH&O!
Second Prize Winner: Shane Fairbairn with a R&N Zoe Zipper Magnacut blade
Additional prize winners: Martin Thann, Matt Perkins, David Howard, Richard Chambers x 2.
Great food is always a feature of the night.
A wide range of awards ready to be presented.
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