HORATIO, Ark.-It's been a hunting season to remember for Elizabeth "Liz" Bowman.
Bowman, a fifth-grade social studies teacher at Horatio Elementary, was fortunate to get a buck big enough to enter in Relyance Bank Arkansas Big Buck Classic this year.
Her 12-point buck won her the Big Buck of Sevier County and she had the third highest gross score in the women's division.
Bowman also received a lot of notoriety back in the fall when she nabbed a 12-foot alligator during Arkansas' brief hunting season.
"My husband says I'm the luckiest hunter out there," Bowman laughed.
Bowman's buck was a main frame 10 point with two drop tines which made it a 12 point.
Awards are based on gross score and total antler grown and spread.
"I didn't realize how big it was until I got close to it," she said.
She received a plaque, a gift card and other prizes for her buck.
She previously won Big Buck of Sevier County in 2016.
"I am very fortunate to have such a successful hunting year," Bowman said. "It has opened the door to so many hunting conversations with my students. I really enjoy getting to hear their individual hunting stories."
Bowman has hunted since she was a child.
In the fall of 2019, Bowman was one of about 100 Arkansas hunters to receive a 2019 Gator permit. Her permit allowed her to tag one gator no smaller than 4 feet long.
Bowman said hunting is a good example of how native culture traditions continue today and it ties in to her students social studies lessons.
She also uses hunting as an incentive for the students to do well.
"I told them if they do well on their practice tests, I will bring in the gator head for them to see," she said.