Founders
It all started back in November 1978 at a local hangout where the contest resides today. A group of 5 locals from Jacob gathered for an evening of a few cold ones to tell stories of previous years deer which were harvested, and how they would attempt this time around to bring in the big one.
One thing lead to another and of course a friendly little wager came out of the discussion. A $5.00 bet on who would bring in the big one ended up with 12 people taking part in the fun. Little did anyone know what the bet would lead to down the road.
Some faces may have changed over the years, but the fun has always taken place at one location. Originally it was held at a bar known as Middendorf's Tavern (which was owned by "The Cat"), then on to Greg's Place, and now the Old Tin Barn.
Lloyd Kranawetter, Gary Korando, Willie Morber, Herb Rathjen, and Dale Biesner were those 5 individual we have to thank that started the contest years ago. Willie and Herb have since passed, but there isn't a year that goes by without hearing about one of their great stories.
The contest has evolved over the years and grown to something that those original 5 guys would have never imagined. However, the base ideas and standards still stand today.