Story from the July 22 issue of Lone Star Outdoor News
Leonel “Muy” Garza died July 16, just weeks after the June 25 awards banquet for the 56th Muy Grande Deer Contest.
Garza became known as the “Hunter’s Friend” after rescuing a deer hunter whose truck was stuck in the mud. The hunter happened to be the outdoor writer for the Victoria Advocate, and the nickname stuck after a write up in the newspaper.
In 1965, Garza, the owner of the Center Circle Gas Station in Freer, started the deer contest with a single division for the widest spread. It has since evolved into the granddaddy of deer contests, with 16 categories and multiple divisions. Winning an embroidered jacket from the contest became the goal of deer hunters everywhere.
Muy Grande Hall of Fame inductees are well-known in Texas deer hunting circles, including Al Brothers, Bill Carter, Jerry Johnston, Horace Gore, Laura and Marty Berry, James Kroll, Ty Detmer, Hugo Berlanga, Gib Lewis, Larry Weishuhn and Roy Hindes III. In 2022, Garza joined the inductees.
“We have lost a hunting icon and an ambassador for deer hunting,” Hindes said.
The contest brings thousands into Freer each year, boosting the economy, and provides scholarships to local high school students during the annual awards banquet.
“It is with our deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of the Legend of the Muy Grande, Leonel Muy Garza,” muygrandevillage posted on social media. “You will always be the Hunter’s Friend.”
