STEVE KNIGHT/texasalloutdoors.com MIDDLE-AGE BUCKS ARE GOING to show better this season than in a normal year, and with a missing age class hunters could mistake them for older deer.

Registration is underway for the Tyler Paper/TexasAllOutdoors.com’s 37th Big Buck Contest.

Hunters may register for free at Army/Navy Store of Tyler, 1201 E.SE. Loop 323, East Texas Seed, Cotton Belt Rail Yard, Mac’s Gun Shop, 213 E. Elm, Noonday Gun Trader, 14674 Texas 155 South, and The Tire Barn, 13687 FM 206 at Spur 364.

The contest is not open to deer taken from behind a fully-enclosed high fence. To compete, a hunter must have registered at least 24 hours before taking their deer. Complete contest rules are listed on registration tickets.

Adult division hunters, those 17 and above, who register for the contest by Nov. 1 will be placed in a drawing for a unique pheasant tower shoot this winter at Hidden Lakes Hunting Resort near Yantis. Registration is free.

This year’s contest will include Men’s and Women’s adult divisions and a Boys’ and Girls’ youth divisions.

Also sponsoring the contest are Global Alarm of Tyler and Hidden Lakes Hunting Resort.

Winners in this year’s adult divisions will receive a Ruger American rifle with a Leupold 3X9 power scope. Second place will receive gift certificates.

The top three places in each youth division will receive gift certificates.

The contest will follow last year’s format in that entered deer and any others from this season hunters would like scored will be measured Jan. 21 at an all deer scoring day held in conjunction with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at The Nature Center, 11942 FM 848, Tyler.

However, hunters are still asked to send in pictures and stories throughout the season to the Tyler Paper at outdoor@tylerpaper.com.