Wow! Alabama Black Belt Adventures' "Big Buck Photo Contest" Winner Announced

The 10-point buck didn’t run. “No, he flopped,” Jacks said.

by
posted on February 26, 2025
Alabama Big Buck Photo Contest Winner

Jacks Benton, a 5-year-old deer hunter from the Salem community in Lee County, squeezed the trigger on his .243 Remington rifle to fire at the buck standing about 40 yards away.

The 10-point buck didn’t run. “No, he flopped,” Jacks said.

Just like that, Jacks harvested his first buck while hunting on a 20-acre plot of family land in Russell County. It was a memorable moment for Jacks and his father, Brad, who also harvested his first deer from the same family land when he was a kid.

“I remember being a little kid and killing my first deer on the same property, the same little 20 acres,” said Brad Benton, who entered a photo of a smiling Jacks with the 10-point buck in the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association’s 13th annual Big Buck Photo Contest.

Out of more than 200 entries, the photo of Jacks is the winner after receiving more online votes than any other entry.

Jacks wins a $150 gift card and a copy of “Black Belt Bounty,” a coffee table book filled with stunning images, colorful stories, wildlife essays and wild game recipes. The prize package carries a retail value of more than $200.

What does Jacks plan to buy with his prize money? “Gum and a toy,” he said.

Alabama's "Black Belt" includes the following 23 counties: Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, and Wilcox.

“Alabama’s Black Belt offers some of the very best whitetail deer hunting available anywhere in America, and the fact that we received more than 200 photo entries into our contest this year proves it,” ALBBAA director Pam Swanner said. “We appreciate everyone who entered the contest and everyone who cast a vote this year. Our photo contests are designed to highlight the abundant hunting opportunities in the Black Belt, and we definitely accomplished that goal this year with the Big Buck Photo Contest.” For more information, visit AlabamaBlackBeltAdventures.org

Latest

Ruger X Dead Air Burnt Bronze
Ruger X Dead Air Burnt Bronze

First Impressions: Dead Air X Ruger RXD Series Suppressors

Two legendary manufacturers team up to create an all-new line of suppressors.

First Impressions: Taurus 58 Pistol

Smart design, modern materials, and high capacity come together for an ideal option for EDC (Everyday Carry) and range use alike.

Caught in a Staredown: What to Do

Uh-oh! The animal you're hunting saw you ... but you might still have a chance if you follow these tips.

First Impressions: Henry Repeating Arms HUSH Series Rifles

Fresh out of Henry's Special Products Division, these rifles are optimized for suppressors.

NRA Annual Meetings 2025: 4 Fun Exhibit Hall Surprises (Day 1)

You know about the seminars, live music, and banquets, but the real joy of NRA's Annual Meetings & Exhibits is on the show floor!

Throwback Thursday: Captain Joe Bernard and the Teddy Bear, Arctic Explorers

Life "East of Barrow and North of everything" was beautiful but harsh.

Interests



Get the best of NRA Family delivered to your inbox.