How to Play Trophy Big Buck Classic

tyler0897

Jun 25

3 min read

Hunting season is always open when Trophy Big Buck Classic hits the table. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just learning the ropes, here's everything you need to get your first game going.

The Goal

Be the first hunter to reach the finish and tag the biggest trophy buck of the season. Simple enough -- but snakes, quicksand, fines, and the Game Warden are all standing between you and that trophy.

Getting Started

Each player takes a hunter piece and starts with $1,000 in Deer Dollars. That's your bankroll for the season. Run out and hunting season is over for you.

Before hitting the trail, every hunter rolls the dice three times to determine their starting cards. Each roll corresponds to one card -- Hunter's Orange, Hunter's Education, and Hunting License. Roll an odd number and you get the card. Roll even and you don't.

This matters more than it sounds. Head out onto the trail without one of those cards and land on the wrong space, you're paying $100 to the bank for each one you're missing. The luck of those three rolls can set the tone for your entire season before you take a single step on the board.

Moving Around the Trail

On your turn roll the dice and move your hunter along the trail. Every space you land on means something different. Here's what you'll run into:

Deer Stand

One of the most important stops on the board. When you land here, draw a card and keep it secret.

Green Card means you hit a deer legally and have a chance at bagging the biggest buck of the season. Good news.

Orange Card means you shot an animal illegally and could be looking at a fine. Not good.

Red Missed Card means that one could have gone better -- you didn't hit anything.

Red Game Warden Card means someone at the table took an illegal shot. You can call the Game Warden on any hunter and collect $100 for every orange card they're holding. Use it wisely.

Papa Jerry's Hunting Secrets

Land here and draw a card with a real hunting tip. The rule is simple -- no gate keeping. Share it with the whole group.

Card Swap

Things just got tricky. Trade your cards with the hunter on your right whether you like it or not.

Story Time

Kick back and share a deer hunting story with your fellow hunters. These moments are usually the highlight of the night.

Staying Out of Trouble

Trophy Big Buck Classic keeps it real with the rules of hunting. If you land on the wrong space without the right credentials, you're paying fines.

No Hunting License? Pay $100 to the bank.

Skipped Hunter's Education class? Another $100.

Not wearing your Hunter's Orange? $100 fine.

Got caught Spotlighting -- hunting at night? Pay $100 and lose a turn.

Keep your paperwork straight and your Deer Dollars will last a lot longer.

Setbacks on the Trail

Snake Bite spaces cost you a turn while you recover. Quicksand does the same -- you're stuck until you escape. Go Back spaces move you back the number of steps shown on the arrow. Choose a Hunter to Go Back lets you pick another hunter to send backwards. Everyone Go Back means the whole table moves back together.

Back to Start is the one that hurts the most -- unless you're playing the extended version, where it actually works in your favor.

Winning

Be the first hunter to reach the finish line and tag the trophy buck. But the real win is the chaos, the stories, and the moment someone draws the Game Warden card on the wrong person.

Every game of Trophy Big Buck Classic ends the same way -- with everyone wanting to play again.