Los Cazadores officially has new ownership
By Jason Shipman
The Pearsall-based Los Cazadores Deer Contest announced new ownership. The new owners are a partnership between Rad and Ashley Weaver, Mark Johnson, Jr., and Brooks Holzhausen. While the Weavers and Johnson play more of an equity partner role, Brooks is the new CEO and managing partner of the venture. The news came as a surprise to many. All the partners have spent a considerable amount of time hunting in South Texas, as well as abroad. “We love the sport of hunting, being outdoors, and promoting the experience,” Brooks said. Since its inception, the contest has grown substantially and currently includes retail, meat processing, feed sales, as well as taxidermy. Changes on the horizon will likely include elevating product lines and selection, revamping social media efforts to reach and inform a larger audience, as well as the creation of a new website, due to roll out in time for the current hunting season. “Each of the partners brings a different perspective, but we all have passion and a vision. Hunting made us who we are, and we want to get back to the experience. We want people to be able come by to enjoy the camaraderie and share their experience of the thrill of the hunt,” Brooks said. The contest celebrated its 31st year of operation last season, and is rich in history. Over the years the contest has become a focal point for hunters in South Texas. While based in South Texas, deer have been entered from all over and by hunters from all walks of life. The contest got its start in 1986 at the Chuck Box Grocery Store on Main Street in Cotulla. Sheriff Darwin Avant ran the contest in its formative years, and reportedly measured over 6,000 deer while at the helm. In 2004 the contest changed hands and moved to its present location in Pearsall. Gary Machen and a consortium of well-known individuals in the deer industry ran the day-to-day operations.
