Big Doe Contest Returns for 2025: A Growing Thanksgiving Tradition

by | Nov 14, 2025 | Best Management Practices (BMPs), Deer, Natural Resources, Wildlife

Youth participants from the 2024 Big Doe Contest.

 

Over Thanksgiving weekend, hunters across Holmes and surrounding counites will once again take part in a growing holiday tradition — the UF/IFAS Extension Big Doe Contest. Now in its fifth year, the contest brings families together in the woods to celebrate hunting, conservation, and community.

TO SPONSOR OR DONATE PRIZES, please get in touch with UF/IFAS EXTENSION HOLMES COUNTY at 850-547-1108. The goal is for every kid who hunts in this free event to walk away with a prize. Consider donating: flashlights, trail cameras, camouflage, gift cards, corn or attractants, shooting houses/blinds, hand warmers, or any other hunting-related gear, large or small.

Hosted by Kalyn Waters, UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County Director and Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent, along with her Extension team, the Big Doe Contest aims to connect youth and mentors through hands-on experiences in natural resource education and ethical hunting.

“UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County loves how this event has grown into a tradition that families look forward to each year,” said Waters. “Family, natural resources, and agriculture are the cornerstones of our community, and the Big Doe Contest was designed to celebrate and strengthen all of these.”

Over 100 outdoorsmen/women gathered to celebrate conservation and support the youth at the awards on the Sunday of Thanksgiving Weekend of 2024.

The contest will take place Thanksgiving Weekend (November 29-30, 2025) with hunters weighing in their harvests at the Holmes County Agricultural Center in Bonifay (1169 E Hwy 90, Bonifay, FL).

There are no fees to enter the contest; local businesses/partners donate prizes. Prizes include a Randy Adams Memorial Lifetime Hunting License for youth who participate in the contest. Southeast Insulation sponsors this year’s license.

“Southeast Insulation is honored to sponsor the Big Doe Contest each year,” said April Durham. “This event encourages kids to connect with the great outdoors and helps them build life skills and an appreciation for wildlife and conservation.”

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Supporting Conservation and Agriculture

Deer management continues to be a top priority in Holmes and surrounding counties, where deer depredation can cause significant crop damage each year. Responsible doe harvest helps reduce agricultural losses while maintaining a healthy deer population — a win for both farmers and wildlife.

Hunters play a vital role in conservation by providing data, biological samples, and funding for habitat management through license fees. Events like the Big Doe Contest not only foster these efforts but also ensure the continuation of outdoor traditions for future generations.

Join Us for the 2025 Big Doe Contest!

Official Rules: 2025 Big Doe Contest

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Mark your calendars for Thanksgiving Weekend 2025 and be part of this exciting community event that celebrates family, conservation, and Holmes County’s outdoor heritage.

For more information, contact:
UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County
Phone: 850-547-1108

Kalyn Waters
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