This competition is proud to offer some of the most exclusive hunting opportunities in the country for sportsmen and women year after year, while raising money and bringing awareness to wildlife conservation.
$989,345.50
DOLLARS RAISED FOR CONSERVATION SINCE 2021
Conservation First USA was founded by a volunteer group of sportsmen and sportswomen in 2006 as a way to raise substantial money for wildlife habitat work in Arizona. Every dollar raised by the charity goes directly into conservation efforts in the Southwest, from providing and maintaining water catchments to species relocation and introduction. Big-Game Hero raised over $989,000 for Conservation First USA in 2022.
AZ Commissioner’s Mule Deer Tag
THE HUNT OF A LIFETIME
The 2022 Big-Game Hero was awarded the infamous AZ Commissioner’s Mule Deer tag. Arizona is legendary for its outstanding mule deer herd. The Kaibab and Arizona Strip regions of the state are known for producing massive bucks that continue to break records. The tag allows a licensed hunter a full year to take one antlered mule deer in any legal hunting unit in Arizona.
If you’re questioning the value of this tag for dedicated sportsmen and women, a comparable tag was auctioned by Mule Deer Foundation in February, 2022 for $400,000.
Vermejo Bull Elk
Who’s Got Elk Fever?
The 2021 Big-Game Hero enjoyed one of the most exciting hunts a sportsman can ask for… bull elk at the Vermejo in New Mexico. The Vermejo property features 9 fishable lakes, and over 550,000 stunning acres of picturesque lands. Its diverse landscape is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elk, bison, black bears, and mountain lions.
Our Winners
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![Big-Game Hero Matt Hansen]()
Matt Hansen
2022 WINNER
Matt is an avid outdoorsman from Idaho Falls who began hunting with his dad when he was young. Spending time in the forest and chasing game helps Matt feel closer to the loved ones he lost in a tragic plane accident. As the 2022 Big-Game Hero Winner, Matt won an Arizona Commissioner's Kaibab Mule Deer tag and $25,000 for outfitting and gear. “It's a huge honor. I know there are thousands of men and women who would do anything to have this tag," Matt said after his win.
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![Colossal Cooper Duennenberg]()
Cooper Duennenberg
2021 WINNER
In 2021 Cooper Duennenberg took home the title of Big-Game Hero and went on a 5-day Bull Elk Hunt with Turner Ranch Outfitting at Vermejo in New Mexico in September of 2022. Cooper is a Texas native who first fell in love with the sport as a kid when his dad brought him along on a hunt. He's been hooked ever since!
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![Big-Game Hero Heather Beck]()
Heather Beck
2022 RUNNER-UP
Heather is a wife and mother from Texas who enjoys connecting with her family and friends during hunts. She takes pride in being a female hunter. “I love being one with nature,” Heather stated. “The wind, the smell, the sounds…there’s absolutely nothing like it.” As the 2022 Big-Game Hero Runner-Up, Heather won a 5-day Bull Elk Hunt at Vermejo in Raton, New Mexico.
