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Hunters ease coyote population in tournament

By Paul Boyd
By Paul Boyd

STANLY COUNTY, N.C. — Hunters suited up and headed out to hunt coyotes in Stanly County over the weekend after several sightings of the animals.

There were 134 hunters that killed 51 coyotes in an effort to control their population.

Bass Pro Shops in Concord helped enroll participants in the tournament.

General manager Eric Winter said hundreds of people have been searching for coyote population solutions.

"Of course we don't want to eliminate the coyotes because they are part of the ecosystem,” Winter said. “They help control things, but they must be managed."

There are no restrictions on when people can hunt coyotes, Winter said.

“No, they are wide open. 24 hours a day, 365 (days),” Winter said. “You just have to know inside your city, or your county that you live, if they may have some restrictions.”

For those against hunting, Winer said, there are other options.

"Coyotes are attracted by food, so make sure you don't leave trash out,” Winter said. “They'll eat fruit, berries, meat. They'll eat about anything so if you control what's in your surroundings, that will reduce them staying around where you are, as well.”

The coyote-hunting tournament has been running for four years and organizers said it continues to grow in popularity.

Quick Facts:

  • The Carolina Coyote Classic is fully supported by the North Carolina Wildlife Commission.
  • It is sponsored by the Stanly County Visitors and Convention Bureau, VisitStanly.com.
  • The tournament is open to the entire state of North Carolina.
  • All hunters must follow North Carolina Wildlife Regulations.
  • The tournament requires all hunters to register before the hunt begins, all hunters must report their harvest at the time of their harvest with a hunter's number card that will be matched with the coyote as it is brought into weigh in's to be officially weighed.
  • The event is scheduled at the same venue for 2018 with two proposed weekend dates in February. The date will be determined by moon phase and other events happening in our region that may conflict with our event. Dates will be announced soon.

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