Schuh: Maribel Cottontail Classic was close

Maribel Sportsmen’s Club held its Cottontail Classic Feb. 11 with the top five rabbits being within 9/100th of a pound. The top rabbits winners: Evan Haupt at 3.81 pounds, Sam Tuma at 3.74 pounds, top overall winner Dean Pautz at 3.83 pounds, Mike Cracraft at 3.80 pounds, and Jeff Mleziva at 3.79 pounds. Not available for the picture was Dale Kitgen with the smallest rabbit at 1.84 pounds.(Photo: Provided)

The top five rabbits were within 9/100th of a pound, making this the closest contest to date.

In the Super Hunt — a three-person team where all nine rabbits are weighed together with 30 teams taking part — the team of Dave Abts, Ryan Tomcheck and Hunter Pantzlaff took first with a weight of 35.63 pounds, also setting a new tournament record.

Gun raffle winners included: first place, a Weatherby Orion over/under 12-gauge, went to Rick and Kris Schuh; second place, a Browning X-bolt .270-caliber, went to Joe Nice; third place, a CZ 920 Semi-Auto 20-gauge, went to Pat Kane; fourth place, a Henry Silver Boy .22-caliber, went to Hunter Pantzlaff; and fifth place, a Savage .17-caliber with scope, went to Ray Carviou.

Maribel Sportsmen’s Club Super Hunt had 30 teams participating. The first-place team of Dave Abts, Ryan Tomchek and Hunter Pantzlaff with their total weight of nine rabbits being 35.63 pounds.(Photo: Provided)

The Hunt Gun went to Seth Alexander, Walk Around Pistol went to Brian Genz, Last Chance Gun was a Winchester 12-gauge that went to Dustin Delsman, Beagle Puppy went to Tye Thake, and the Sweetheart raffle went to Bob Schuh.

Derby tickets can be purchased at Popp’s Harbor Town, Riverfront Liquor, Mobil 310 Mart, or at their clubhouse between 5 and 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, or by calling Don Dietrich at 920-323-6115 or Jeff Dietrich at 920-629-3686.

Whitelaw Sportsmen’s Club can be found by taking Highway 10 into Whitelaw, then turning north on Hickory Street and following that into the club grounds.