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The above were our goals when we formed the HAWG HAWLERS Bass Club in 1988, with only 8 members. In 2006, we have set a new record with 173 members. Our website had almost 5 million hits in 2006 (one of the best advertising deals going). We must be doing something right.
The direction of the club includes a strong emphasis on friendly, affordable competition, improving our skills as anglers and increasing awareness of bass fishing - especially with children and young adults. Some of our regular teams consist of family members - husbands and wives, brothers, cousins, fathers and mothers fishing with their sons and daughters. At Hawg Hawlers it's about comradery and fun, not hardcore competition. It is not uncommon to see members discussing successful patterns before the tournaments begin.
Our organization has 6 officers (Pres, Vice-Pres, Sec, Treas, and two Tournament Chairmen). Their responsibilities include organizing, scheduling, obtaining proper authorization for tournaments, allocating club funds, publicizing information to the club members and maintenance of this website.
Membership in the club is $20.00 annually, per angler, with FREE membership for anglers under 16 and 65 and over (normal tournament entry fees apply). The tournament entry fee is $50.00, per boat, (which includes big bass pool). Participants are competing for cash awards (approximately 90% tournament payback, with 10% going toward club expenses, events and the "Awards Banquet"). Attendance prizes are awarded at most tournaments.
Hawg Hawlers conducts eight to ten tournaments during the year, beginning in March and running through October. They are formatted as "BUDDY" tournaments, with each boat consisting of a team of two-persons maximum. Most tournaments are held on Missouri Lakes. Our tournament fishing times are generally 6 hours on Saturday morning or evening and 6 hours on Sunday morning (allowing for two weigh-ins). Our summer tournaments are usually Saturday and Sunday mornings, to escape the summer heat.
At the end of the year (October) we have an Awards Banquet. This is where we present awards to our Top Ten Anglers, BIG BASS and ANGLER OF THE YEAR. Dinner is FREE to club members who have fished 2 tournaments for the current year. Any money left in the treasury, and not allocated for some other purpose, is used for attendance prizes for all qualifying club members who attend. We also have a number of Supporters who supply us with some very nice attendance prizes. Everyone qualifying for the "free" dinner gets an attendance prize.
If you think the HAWG HAWLERS Bass Club, an organization of sportsmen, women, and young anglers, sharing a common interest, and providing a different kind of club fishing, is the thing for you, simply review the Tournament Rules, complete the Membership Information slip (don't forget to SIGN IT), detach and return it along with your membership fee to the club Treasurer at the address on the form.
To enter a tournament, simply fill out the Entry Form found at the bottom of the schedule, and mail it in to the address shown. Entries must be received no later than the Wednesday before the tournament to avoid a late fee. Hope to see you at one of our tournaments! .
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