There must be something in the water in Marion County as a Yellville team recently claimed first place statewide in The Arkansas Game and Fish commission’s (AGFC) annual Umarex Big Squirrel Challenge.
The Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center played host locally to the statewide event with 37 teams turning in squirrels. Arkansas saw new record attendence and weigh-ins this year with 186 teams.
Heather Pittman, the Facility Manager of the Nature Center, says they’re already looking forward to next year and hopes to build the event to be the best in the state.
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One team had an especially impressive performance, earning both regional and state awards. Syler Villines, mentored by his father, Kurtis, won first place in the state Youth Fox-Only category. His combined squirrel weight of 2,429 grams set a new record for the highest score in any category. With room remaining in their daily bag limits, the team entered three additional squirrels, securing first place in the state Youth Mixed Bag category with a score of 1,916 grams.
Pittman says Villines didn’t find out he’d won the state award until only a few days ago.
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Other regional winners from Yellville include Clayton Villines with 2,233 grams in the Adult Fox-only category and Laine Hillard with 1,877 grams in the Adult Mixed Bag category.
Along with Yellville, participants weighed in squirrels in Batesville, Columbus, Fort Smith, Hazen, Jonesboro, Magnolia, Mayflower, Monticello, Russellville, Pine Bluff and Springdale. The team of Justin Wright and Jason Weatherford from Springdale claimed top honors in the adult fox squirrel category.
Each regional first and second place teams received medals, with statewide winners receiving additional prizes including a Umarex break-action rifle.
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