The Third Annual Lexington Lone Star Varmint Tournament was held this past weekend and 117 teams competed in the 24-hour event.
Hosted by Nocks Bow Repair, the tournament gave points for harvesting mountain lions, coyotes, foxes and raccoons.
Team Long Range of Taylor won the first place prize of $4,680 with four bobcats, one fox and five coyotes for a total of 340 points.
3C Yote Busters out of Gorman won $2,340 with two bobcats, five foxes and two coyotes for a total of 315 points.
The team of Beer Belly Varmint Hunters from Brookesmith and Gustine took third place and Team Weaver from Hamilton/Austin took fourth. The final team to receive a paycheck was Nuts & Furs from Houston.
In total, 42 teams turned in animals Sunday afternoon. No mountain lions were taken during the tournament, but 14 bobcats, 16 foxes, 22 coyotes and 144 raccoons were recorded.
Side pots for heaviest bobcat, coyote, fox and mangiest coyote were also paid out to the winners. Team Cooper, of Smithville, took the heaviest bobcat with a weight of 22.4 pounds. The heaviest coyote was taken by Team Lehmann Ranch and weighed 45.4 pounds. Team Weaver took the heaviest fox with a 10.2-pound monster, and the mangiest coyote went to Team Beer Belly Varmints.
Three guns and smaller prizes were given away this year, and every youth hunter under the age of 15 received skinning knives and LED flashlights for participating.
“We wanted to thank everyone who came out,” said event organizer Heather Ramsey. “We wouldn’t have been as successful without you. We would like to thank our sponsors; we wouldn’t have been able to give out as many prizes without their support. We would also like to give a special thanks to our judges, secretaries and committee.”
For information on next year’s tournament, call (512) 636-9488.
