C3 hunters killed 402 coyotes during annual event
A total of 402 coyotes were killed during the 13th Annual Carolina Coyote Classic, held Feb. 20 – 22 out of Stanly County, NC.
Hunters from 101 teams won tens of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes at this year’s event, said John MacPherson, founder of the Classic.
“Over $30,000 in cash and prizes were awarded at this year’s tournament!” he said. “This year’s theme was Vegas Nights, which added more ways to win in additional categories, utilizing gaming terminology played in Las Vegas casinos. The Coyote Bounty was $2500 thanks to Thermal Optics Plus and Nocturnal Optics.”
The Coyote Bounty paid every hunter that brought coyotes to the weigh in, giving everyone plenty of incentive to participate, whether they finished in 1st place or 101st.
“Every team that brought coyotes to the tournament were paid $10 per coyote,” MacPherson said.
Categories within the tournament included the Coyote Derby (team with most coyote kills), and the Fat Dog Contest (heaviest coyote), two mainstays that have been a part of the Classic since the first one was held. And this year, the Vegas Nights-themed categories included:
Four of a Kind (combined weight of four same-sex coyotes in the Fat Dog Class)
Joker (smallest coyote of the event)
Queen of Spades (Big Female Side Pot)
Devil Dog Side Pot sponsored by DNA Firearm Systems (drawing held between teams that brought in a black coyote)
Ugly Mug Award sponsored by Nightshade Optics (mangiest, nastiest coyote)
Puppy Paws (combined weight of 10 coyotes in the Fat Dog Class)
Lucky 7s (combined weight of seven coyotes in the Fat Dog Class).
Winners
Coyote Derby
1st Place: Team Battle Dogs: Alex Poole, Kyle Crickenberger and Josh Roop weighed in a total of 30 coyotes. They won $1800 cash and 1st place custom Carolina Coyote Classic Belt Buckles.
2nd Place: Team Red Lights: Jay Cox, Ryan Borum and Nathaniel Brookbank killed 23 coyotes and won $1080 cash and 2nd place custom Carolina Coyote Classic Belt Buckles.
3rd Place: Team NRV Night Crew: Justin Surratt, Aaron Vest and Elijah Matherly killed 16 coyotes, winning $720 cash and 3rd place custom Carolina Coyote Classic Belt Buckles.
Fat Dog Contest
1st Place: State Line Cowboys: Chuck Rorie, Robbie Ratliff and Anthony Youngers brought in a 45.96-pound male coyote. They won $1115 cash and numerous prizes.
2nd Place: Law Dog Tactical: Tim Dockery and Zach Hughes weighed in a 43.65-pound male coyote to wind $669 cash and numerous prizes.
3rd Place: County Line Reapers: JB Riley, Kyle Aidala and Brandon Griffin’s 43.2-pound male coyote earned them $446 cash and numerous prizes.
Puppy Paws
1st Place: Reaped: Carl Cole, Miles Barringer, Jonathan Chermak and Justin Smith’s 10 coyotes weighed a combined 374.52 pounds. The team won numerous prizes.
Lucky 7s
1st Place: Team Creepin: Bud Ratliff, Anthony Taylor, Dustin Horne and Brian Allen weighed seven coyotes for a total of 259.55 pounds. They won numerous prizes.
Four of a Kind
1st Place: HHS Boys: Jamie Hinson, Luke Hinson, Nathan Myrick and Noah Blake weighed four coyotes that totaled 151.44 pounds, and won numerous prizes.
Queen of Spades
1st Place: Reaped: Carl Cole, Miles Barringer, Jonathan Chermak and Justin Smith weighed a 38.24-pound female to win $5000 cash, the biggest payout for the Big Female Coyote in the history of the Carolina Coyote Classic.
Devil Dog Side Pot, sponsored by DNA Firearm Systems
Winner: Jeremy Blackmon with Team Smokum Outdoors drew the winning card and won a DNA Firearm Systems ALPHA Lightweight Receiver Set.
Ugly Mug Award sponsored by Nightshade Optics
Winner: NRV Night Crew: Justin Surratt, Aaron Vest and Elijah Matherly’s coyote won them $150 cash and a Nightshade Optics prize pack.
MacPherson expressed gratitude to all the hunters that participated, as well as the sponsors and vendors that contributed door prizes and raffles:
Thermal Optics Plus
McDonald General Store
Zeus Laser Engraving
Southern Outdoors
Gold Digger Wild Game Attractant
DNA Firearm Systems
HHS Boys
Quarter Minute Arms
FREQ Ultrasonic Game Calls
Leofoto Outdoors
Black Widow Deer Lures
Huntworth Gear
Around Back Taxidermy
RIX Optics
Pulsar Optics
Nocpix
He also said his team is already making plans for the 2027 Carolina Coyote Classic. Follow them on Facebook for updates at Facebook.com/theofficialc3. ■
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