Dixie Deer Classic starts this Friday

Deer antler scoring is a big part of the Dixie Deer Classic

The 40th Annual Dixie Deer Classic is this weekend at the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, N.C., and it’s a show you don’t want to miss! The expo, presented by the Wake County Wildlife Club, has become one of the biggest and most exciting hunting shows in the nation.

Highlights of the Dixie Deer Classic include the buck antler scoring, display, and awards ceremony.  The scoring committee will present awards in numerous categories.

Hunters from North Carolina are divided into four divisions.

• Male
• Female
• Youth Male
• Youth Female

Each division has eight different categories

• Typical Best by Gun
• Non-typical Best by Gun
• Typical Best by Muzzleloader
• Non-typical Best by Muzzleloader
• Typical Best by Bow
• Non-typical Best by Bow
• Typical Best by Crossbow
• Non-typical Best by Crossbow

Categories for Virginia and South Carolina are also awarded, as well as Overall Best in Show, the Presidential Award, and Non-hunting.

The scoring committee will also present awards for bears skulls, which will be officially scored.

Turkey calling contest

The 2020 NC-NWTF Tarheel Open DDC Calling Contest will also take place at the show. The competition is Saturday morning. Numerous categories will win prizes, including:

• Intermediate: 16 to 20-years-old
• Jakes: 10 to 15-years-old
• Poults: 9 and younger
• Natural voice: All ages
• Friction: 21+
• Tarheel Resident: 21+
• Owl hooting: All ages
• Gobbling: All ages

Call Makers competition

The 2020 North Carolina State and Southeastern Open Call Makers Competition is open to all call makers. This competition presents numerous awards in several different categories. Each call is auctioned off at the end of the competition.

A qualified panel of experienced hunters judges this competition.

Venison chili contest

This is a first for the Dixie Deer Classic. The International Chili Society-sanctioned contest takes place on Saturday of the Dixie Deer Classic. Fist, second, and third place awards will go to winners of the Homestyle category. The People’s Choice category will also award first through third-place prizes.

A Carolina DockDogs competition is also slated for this weekend as part of the Dixie Deer Classic. The Kids’ Fishing Rodeo and the Youth Scavenger Hunt will also be ongoing throughout the show hours. Kids will also love Archery Alley, the BB Gun Shoot, Face Painting, and the Make Your Own Turkey Call activities.

Special guests to the show this year are Jim Shockey and Team Bone Collector.

Too many exhibitors and outfitters will be on hand to name here. Over 300 booths will feature everything that an outdoorsman could want to see, hear, and feel, all in one place this weekend. And to top it off, attendees will have the chance to win over $60,000 in raffle prizes, including a Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV.

Click here to find out more about what’s happening this weekend at the Dixie Deer Classic.

Dixie Deer Classic show hours:

• Friday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m
• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.