Over two decades ago, the Laredo Chamber of Commerce worked on developing a program that would not only honor hunting and the rich traditions that come with it but also highlight Laredo and Webb County as the premier South Texas hunting destination. What started as a simple idea has now blossomed into a big buck hunting contest rivaled by many, but comparable to none.
Over 33 years later, the Cola Blanca Big Buck Contest continues to showcase the biggest and best fair-chase whitetails in the grand state of Texas, and offers hunters the chance to take home one of the most coveted trophies in the hunting business — the Cola Blanca Bronze! On Saturday, Sept. 23 in Laredo at the LIFE Pavilion, the contest will host their annual Awards Pachanga to do just that — hand out the beautiful bronzes to our Category winners! Tickets (or tables) to the Event include entry into the 2023-24 Season Deer Contest as well and table purchasers will also enjoy some additional benefits for their table purchase this year! Individual Tickets and Tables for the event are on sale now at both the Laredo Chamber of Commerce offices and online at www.colablanca.com (select SHOP tab).
The event features local food and drink, music and camaraderie, vendor booths for products and services, a showcase of all of the great partners/sponsors who help make the contest possible each year and the always popular gun raffle. Category winners will be presented with their bronzes and prizes and a large number of contest entries will be viewable on the highly-anticipated “wall of trophies.” Hunters from across the state attend the event as a “kickoff” to the most exciting time of the year as a hunter on the horizon — deer season!
The annual contest begins with opening weekend of Archery Season/MLD Season and runs through the end of Mexico hunting season (early February) and includes many different categories — from widest spread to most points, best 8- and 9-pointers, and also has categories for all women hunters as well! In addition to all categories, the contest also allows (and propones) hunters from all counties in Texas and Mexico to participate!
With an emphasis on future generations of hunting, getting youth into the outdoors and teaching them the principles of hunting, gun management and operation, field awareness, stewardship of the land and its resources and just good, clean, pure hard work and fun, the contest also welcomes youth hunters! Children of all ages are welcomed to enter their bucks into our many youth categories. Youth can enter the contest (17 and under) for just $15 and have the ability to win a bronze of their own! Along with youth honors, the contest added two new military categories for the 2022-23 Season as well — inviting our military men and women (both current and retired) to show off their trophies as well!
The contest concludes in late February with winners per category announced and contacted, as “bragging rights” spread across social media channels within the tight-knit community of hunters we have here in Texas!
Make sure to follow along with the contest on their social media channels — Facebook and Instagram– for the latest news, information and contest bucks displayed! For questions regarding the upcoming Sept. 23 Awards Pachanga event, please DM us on social media or contact us via email at colablanca@laredochamber.com.
