The CBA Bowhunter of the Year Award is the most prestigious award presented by the Colorado Bowhunters Association, and may be the most misunderstood. Some of this could be due to the title as it could imply that the winner had a very successful hunting season. While bowhunting success is
certainly a consideration; the award is really much, much more.
The sport of bowhunting depends on dedicated volunteers who are willing to strive to see it passed on in a positive light for future generations. The Bowhunter of the Year was first established in the early 70’s to recognize an individual for service and leadership to the CBA. The Bowhunter of the Year was also to be a successful bowhunter. The past winners of the Bowhunter of the Year Award are premier examples of these dedicated individuals. This recognition is awarded annually to an individual member who has been selected from that year’s nominees. Any member in good standing may nominate another for consideration. Previous winners of the award select the new winner each year after scoring all nominees against a defined list of criteria.
The criteria to be considered include:
- What the individual has contributed to bowhunting in Colorado.
- Effectiveness and accomplishments while serving bowhunting, archery, and the CBA.
- Educational clinics and seminars.
- Literary contributions.
- Programs or events developed or involved in.
- Leadership abilities and special accomplishments.
- Evidence of commitment and accomplishment.
- Supporting memberships in bowhunting, archery, wildlife and conservation organizations.
- Office held within the CBA and other bowhunting, archery, wildlife and conservation organizations.
- Sportsmanship and personality.
- Dedication to bowhunting responsibilities.
- Conduct afield
- Peer respect
- Number of years bowhunting
- Contributions to bowhunting outside Colorado
- Animals taken during bowhunting career.
- Big-game animals taken in Colorado
- Big-game animals taken outside Colorado
- Small-game animals taken
- Game farm (exotics) that are not classified as protected game in the state taken will not be considered
As you can see, there are considerable criteria factored into the selection process for this once in a lifetime award. What follows is a compilation of our best and most dedicated bowhunters.
| 1974 – Marvin Clyncke |
1998 – Dave Culter |
| 1975 – Ted Grover |
1999 – Dean Derby |
| 1976 – Lee Kline |
2000 – Wayne Depperschmidt |
| 1977 – Dave Zahn |
2001 – Dale Petefish |
| 1978 – Ron Breitsprecher |
2002 – Rob Musser |
| 1979 – John Rhine |
2003 – Grant Adkisson |
| 1980 – Chuck Hutton |
2004 – Rod Washburn |
| 1981 – Doy K. Curtis |
2005 – Jeff Lampe |
| 1982 – Larry O. Baker |
2006 – Mike Dziekan |
| 1983 – Tony Seahorn |
2007 – Troy Cunningham |
| 1984 – Dave Buttermore |
2008 – Gary Renfro |
| 1985 – Shari Fraker |
2009 – Lyle Willmarth |
| 1986 – David “Jake” Powell |
2010 – Paul Navarre |
| 1987 – Lloyd Wood |
2011 – Brandon Powell |
| 1988 – Terry Bridgeman |
2012 – Carol Ashurst |
| 1989 – Barry J. Smith |
2013 – Dennis Howell |
| 1990 – Dean Burke |
2014 – Roger Trudell |
| 1991 – Kurt Keskimaki |
2015 – Tom Behunin |
| 1992 – Mick Davis |
2016 – James Gilmore |
| 1993 – Dennis Hansen |
2017 – Byron Dean |
| 1994 – Conrad Dreher |
2018 – Todd Brickel |
| 1995 – Ron Rockwell |
2019 – Rick Davis |
| 1996 – Bob Radocy |
2020 - Craig Kimball |
| 1997 – Mike Powell |
2021 - TBD |