Hunters Orange is everywhere to be seen during firearms deer season in Antrim County! Mancelona Chamber of Commerce plays host to northern Michigan's oldest and most popular Buck Pole, where hunters gather every year to share stories, photos and enjoy the warming tent, food booths, bonfire and chances to win great cash prizes. The buck pole also features a raffle drawing with numerous prizes.

If you were a lucky hunter, we invite you to register your deer at the buck pole. For a $5 registration fee, you'll receive a cap, patch and photo of yourself with your deer. We'll hang your deer on the pole, and you'll have a chance to win a cash prize. You don't need to have the largest buck to enter the contest. All registration money received goes into the "Lucky Hunter" drawing. One name will be pulled out, and that Lucky Hunter will receive all registration money, with a guaranteed minimum prize of $200, regardless of the size of your deer!

While visiting our buck pole, warm up by the confire with a bowl of chili or other warm foods from the concession stand. Browse through all the photos of our previous buck poles under the big, heated tent.

See all the rules and prize information below. Good luck to all of you, and have a safe, enjoyable hunt. We look forward to seeing you at the Buck Pole, November 15 and 16, downtown Mancelona (at the traffic light on US 131 at M-88). The contest opens at daylight on November 15, and runs continuously until 7:00 p.m. on November 16.  All prizes will be awarded at that time. For additional info, please call us. 231.587.5500.


Also Visit Northern Michigan's New website
hookedonmichigan.com - a message board for hunters, fishermen, snowmobiling, skiing, and tourism in northern Michigan. Talk with other hunters about the bait ban, hunting and weather conditions, and more. 

 Buck Pole Rules  and how the prizes are determined and awarded

Buck Pole Photo Galleries

Buck Pole 2009 - A final tally of who got their buck and where, along with deer stats and who won the prizes!

Buck Pole Raffle Drawing 2009 - who won all the raffle prizes?

Buck Pole Prizes (for the hunters only)

    • First Deer Hung - $10
    • Heaviest Deer - $150
    • Most Points - $100
    • Widest Rack - $75
    • Lucky Hunter Drawing - all entry money received, with a guaranteed minimum of $200.
      (regardless of the size of your deer, all hunters in the contest have a chance to win the Lucky Hunter Drawing)

Raffle Drawing (open to hunters and community)

   • raffle tickets are sold prior to the Buck Pole, and are available at numerous business locations
     throughout Mancelona. Also sold at the buck pole on November 15 and 16. Tickets are $1 each
     or a book of six for $5.