2022 - 19-year old wins Palisade Big Buck contest
Nineteen-year-old Owen Hagen has been hunting near Palisade since he was 12 years old. During that time, he has harvested four bucks, including some impressive ones
November 22, 2022 • Voyageur Press
This year’s 9-pointer earned him first place in the Big Buck Contest at Palisade One Stop — but surprisingly, it wasn’t the biggest buck he has ever taken.
Two years ago, Owen harvested a 205-pound, 10-point buck.
“It was a nice symmetrical rack and dressed out at 205 pounds,” he said. “But I wasn’t in the Big Buck Contest.”
Owen made sure he didn’t make that mistake again this year.
His winning 9-pointer tipped the scales at 192 pounds, earning him the top spot at Palisade One Stop.
“I redeemed myself this year,” he joked.
Deer hunting is a longtime tradition for Owen and his family. Each October, family and friends bring campers and RVs to their 200-acre hunting property near Palisade to prepare for the upcoming season.
The family property borders state land, providing plenty of room for the group of 10 to 15 hunters who gather there each year.
The property also has a history of producing some impressive deer.
“There have been several big bucks shot on the hunting property pushing 250 pounds,” Owen said. “Some 12- and 14-pointers. Nothing real crazy the last couple of years, though.”
In addition to this year’s 9-pointer and his 205-pound 10-pointer, Owen has harvested a 6-pointer. His first deer, taken when he was just getting started as a hunter, was a 3-pointer.
At only 19, Owen already has plenty of hunting stories to tell — and now a Big Buck Contest victory to add to the list.