Vicksburg huntress takes first at MS Wildlife Extravaganza with once-in-a-lifetime buck

Chelsey Elqadi, a native of Vicksburg, came first in her division at the Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza, with a uniquely dropped tine buck she had hunted in December 2022.

Elqadi’s buck competed in the women’s gun season typical division,”a gross score of
160 and a net score of 139.

Chelsey Elqadi with her big buck

Chelsey’s taxidermist, Vicksburg local Michael Fuson, also mounted a buck for another Vicksburg resident, Hunter Ashley, who placed first in the men’s archery division.

Hunter Ashley and his family: Photo submitted

The Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza is an annual event where hunters present the bucks they’ve harvested during the most recent hunting season. This year, the extravaganza took place at the Hinds Community College Rankin campus. There are several divisions, including men’s, women’s, youth male, youth female, archery, gun, typical, and non-typical. Each division awards first, second, and third places, determined by the scores of the bucks.

In addition to the hunting competition, the Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza offers family-friendly activities like jump houses, food carts, dog shows, and BB gun shooting ranges. Vendors also set up booths showcasing hunting supplies, handcrafted goods, women’s accessories, t-shirts, homemade seasonings and sauces, and other unique items available for purchase.