10th Annual Carolina Coyote Classic

Carolina Coyote Classic

Coyote Derby and Fat Dog Contest

The 10th Annual Carolina Coyote Classic is set for Feb. 17-19, 2023. The yearly contest has proven to be one of the nation’s biggest coyote hunting events, and this year, more than $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. This includes a guaranteed $3000 cash payout in the Coyote Derby.

This event is hosted in Stanly County, NC and is strongly supported by the Stanly Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Carolina Coyote Classic is made up of two separate events — the Coyote Derby and the Fat Dog Contest.

The Coyote Derby is a competition for the most coyotes killed during the weekend.

The Fat Dog Contest is all about killing and weighing in the biggest coyote of the tournament.

When this event first started 10 years ago, it was open to all hunters in the Carolinas. In recent years, it has expanded to include hunters in the Carolinas, as well as adjoining states. It is now open to hunters in NC, SC, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia.

Each team must follow the state laws in the state they are hunting, and they must also take photos with each harvest and submit those photos at the time of the kill. The number of coyotes photographed and submitted must match the number of coyotes brought to the weigh-in, which will take place at the American Legion Post 76 in Albemarle, NC on Sunday, Feb. 19, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon.

Carolina Coyote Classic cash and prizes

Hunters may sign up as teams, with a maximum of three hunters per team for the Coyote Derby. The Fat Dog Contest has a maximum of four hunters per team.

The Coyote Derby has a guaranteed $3000 cash payout, and this amount may grow depending on how many teams sign up. Teams finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd will also receive custom belt buckles for every team member.

The Fat Dog Contest has a whole host of prizes, including:

  • Predator hunting rifle & scope package from Hal’s Gun and Pawn in Concord
  • Sniper Hog Lights rifle light package
  • Taxidermy mount gift certificates
  • FoxPro Electronic Calls
  • 704 Outdoors Gear
  • Rossi .22 rifle
  • Huntworth Camouflage
  • WiseEye Cellular trail cameras
  • PortaClimb tree stands
  • Shooting supplies
  • More to come

For all rules and to sign up, click here.

About Brian Cope 2726 Articles
Brian Cope is the editor of Carolina Sportsman. He has won numerous awards for his writing, photography, and videography. He is a retired Air Force combat communications technician, and has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of South Carolina. You can reach him at brianc@sportsmannetwork.com.

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