315 coyotes killed during 9th Carolina Coyote Classic

Lynches River Mafia killed 23 coyotes during the event

The 9th Annual Carolina Coyote Classic was held this past weekend and it was a record-breaking event. Sixty-nine teams of hunters combined to kill a total of 315 coyotes during the tournament — an all-time record for the Classic.

Twenty of those teams participated in the Derby for the quest to kill the most coyotes. Forty-nine signed up for the Fat Dog Class on the quest to kill the biggest.

The tournament featured hunters from the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, with the weigh-in taking place at the American Legion Post 76 in Albemarle, N.C. Of the 315 documented kills, 281 were weighed in, another record.

Of the 315 ‘yotes that were killed, 171 were males and 144 were females. The overall winners of the Coyote Derby came down to a tie breaker. Team Lynches River Mafia took top honors with 23 total coyotes, including one that weighed 38.24 pounds. They won $2400 cash, custom made trophy belt buckles, and a $500 credit for custom rifle builds from DNA Firearm Systems.

In second place was Team Minton, Pethel, Wright, also with 23 total dogs. Their biggest coyote weighed 37.14 pounds. They won $1200 cash and 2nd place belt buckle trophies.

Team TOP killed 21 total coyotes, coming in third place and winning $400 cash and 3rd place belt buckles.

A bounty paid $10 for every coyote weighed in

Within the Derby, the Big Dog prize went to Team Smokum Outdoors for their 41.77-pound ‘yote. They won a Rubber Dummies 3D target.

Team Huntersville Predator Control won $380 for the Big Female Side Pot. Their coyote weighed 41.33 pounds.

Team Gibson, Parnell, Gilbert also made their mark, winning the Little Dog Prize for a 22.59-pound coyote. All Seasons Gun & Pawn awarded them a Rossi SR22 rifle.

Aside from the cash payouts for the winners, a bounty was also payed out for every coyote weighed in. The Coyote Bounty Pot was sponsored by DNA Firearm Systems & Thermal Optics Plus. Each coyote weighed in was worth $10 to their team.

Fat Dog Class for biggest coyote

Team Rocky River Reapers took first place in the Fat Dog Class, killing a 45.41-pound male coyote. They won a Savage 110 Predator Engage Hunter rifle combo from Hal’s Gun & Pawn, a package of gear from FoxPro, Gold Digger wild game attractant, a gift card from McDonald General Store, a book by Spike Davis, and $338 cash.

Team Huntersville Predator Control took second place in Fat Dog with their 41.33-pound female. This marked the biggest female coyote ever entered in the Carolina Coyote Classic. They won $203 cash plus a Sniper Hog Lights Coyote Canon, a prize package from FoxPro, Gold Digger wild game attractant, a McDonald General Store gift certificate and a book by Spike Davis.

A 41-pound male earned 3rd place honors for Team Unprepared. They won a FoxPro X-1 electronic call, Gold Digger wild game attractant, some other FoxPro gear, a book by Spike Davis, and $135 cash.

Event organizer John MacPherson of 704 Outdoors TV said he has received countless positive comments from locals about the event. Taking this many coyotes out of the wild in such a short period of time is a big break for local wildlife, as well as pets and livestock, he said. MacPherson is already looking forward to next year’s event, which he expects to be even bigger and better than this one.

“It’s going to be the 10th anniversary of the event. And this event gets better and better every year. This year was no exception and I’m sure next year will be the same,” he said.