The hunter who shot the biggest deer entered in the “big buck night” contest and festivities hosted by Dick’s Pour House on January 14, was also celebrating a birthday of sorts.
“I didn’t realize until after I shot my deer that this was my 50th deer season,” said Al Steimel of Suttons Bay Township, who claimed first prize in the firearms division. “I thanked my dad, who left us the property, and dad’s friend, who taught us how to shoot deer. And the third person I thanked was Mike Borkovich, who taught us not to shoot all the deer.”
Borkovich, who was in attendance, was a leader among a group of hunters from Leelanau County who successfully petitioned for quality deer management rules requiring harvested bucks to have at least three antler points on one side. Now the county sheriff, Borkovich was a conservation officer when the rule was put in place.
