Every record was broken during 2021 Carolina Coyote Classic
Predator hunters competing in the 8th Annual Carolina Coyote Classic this past weekend killed 272 coyotes. That’s a record number of kills during this event. And that’s not the only record that was broken this year.
“We broke every meaningful record in this year’s event. We had the most teams registered, the most hunters participating, the most money paid out. It was a record breaking year for this event,” said John MacPherson of 704 Outdoors and the chief organizer of the event.
This was also the first year the Classic paid a bounty for each coyote. Every coyote that was brought to the weigh in was awarded a bounty of $20. In past events, teams killing 10 coyotes and finishing in 10th place or so did not take home any prize money. But this year, a bag of 10 coyotes earned $200. That’s an incentive unlike any other in predator hunting events.
Of the 272 coyotes killed during the event, 236 were weighed in. Those not weighing in ‘yotes were mostly from teams a great distance from the weigh-in at the Stanly Fairgrounds, and opted not to make the drive knowing they weren’t in the running for the win. These teams were not eligible for the bounty, which raised the stakes for the 236 that were weighed.
First place team killed 27 coyotes
Team Thermal Optics Plus took home the top prize. They killed 27 coyotes and took home $2000 cash along with a C3 Belt Buckle trophy.
Lynches River Mafia finished in second place. They killed 24 coyotes, winning a C3 Belt Buckle and $1200 cash.
With 21 coyotes, Team Wraith finished third and earned the third place C3 Belt Buckle along with $800 cash.
More than $14,730 in cash and prizes were awarded at the end of the tournament. With some very nasty weather taking place before and during the even, MacPherson said he couldn’t be more proud of his team and all the competitors who participated to make this a record-breaking event.
“We’re already putting plans together for the 2022 Carolina Coyote Classic. We’ll look at the moon phase and talk about it some before decided what’s best for the hunters. Then we’ll set the dates so everyone can put it on their calendars,” he said.
This story first appeared on CarolinaSportsman.com.
