Odlin wins big buck contest

“There seemed to be a little kill off from last winter, so it took people a lot more time and effort out in the field to find them,” said Lenny Heglin, organizer and Big Ray’s store manager. “The majority of the people said it was a tough year to find them.”

Odlin’s wife filled the family freezer with elk meat, so he had the luxury of passing on several bucks until he found one he liked. He knew it would be a contender in the contest. His thought was confirmed on Jan. 7 when the winners were announced at Big Ray’s, the contest sponsor that has been a staple for Kodiak hunters for three decades. 

“We weren’t hurting for meat, so I was able to look for a big rack this year,” Odlin said. “I was able to be a little picky.” 

The winning rack scored a 108 1/2. Measurements of a buck’s rack determine scores, and judging criteria includes the antler spread, length of the points and number of points on each side of the rack. Last year’s winning rack scored a 115 3/8, while the top 9 scored better than this year’s winner.

Odlin, originally from Maine, sought out Kodiak while he was still in high school. He was lured here by fishing and started his Alaska seafood career in 2004. Years later, he returned for good and now owns the fishing vessel the Lady Sage.

His hunting passion was triggered on the East Coast, seeking out deer and turkeys with his dad and uncle at the age of 10.     

The conditions were perfect when Odlin and his brother and wife headed out for their hunt. He used a 700 Remington 300 win mag to bag the buck. His brother also was successful, and they both packed the deers down the mountain.  

This was the biggest Sitka blacktail he has shot. He said he harvested 58 pounds of meat from the deer and estimated it weighed 130 pounds. 

“I drug it eight/tenths of a mile. It was my longest drag,” Odlin said. 

Heglin said 360 hunters signed up and 32 racks were entered into this year’s contest — both numbers were lower than what the 2019 contest drew.  More than $8,200 in prizes were awarded. Odlin received a prize pack valued at $1,519. 

Gary Rozelle Jr. was runner-up at 106 6/8 and Jason Chambers was third with a 103 1/8. Little buck went to Henry Lee, while lucky buck and the $2,017 prize pack went to Teddy Agmata.

“It was a pleasure that we were still able to do it (the contest) this year,” Heglin said. “The hard part, with everybody closed down, was reaching out and getting donations.”     

Results

Top 10

1. Makoto Odlin, 108 1/2; 2. Gary Rozelle Jr., 106 6/8; 3. Jason Chambers, 103 1/8; 4. Tim Hocum, 102 3/8; 5. Amy Pingree, 101 7/8; 6. Austin Looney, 98 3/8; 7. Steve Springer, 98 2/8; 8. Greg Lukin, 97 7/8; 9. Jordi Odlin, 97 6/8; 10. Shane Nicholson, 96. 

Little buck — Henry Lee. 

Lucky buck — Teddy Agmata, 94 3/8