The first annual Storm Mountain Outfitters Coyote Classic was held Jan. 25-26.
According to organizers, the hunting competition was being started to bring some regulation to an exploding coyote population in Stettler County.
"A number of counties have bounties on them," said Storm Mountain owner and Coyote Classic organizer Lee Bates.
Bates says that coyote populations have doubled, if not more, in recent years and are causing problems across all parts of rural Alberta.
"They're losing calves in agricultural communities," said Bates. "A couple of people south of the town here (said that) coyotes are actually following their kids to the bus or to the barns (while) they'll do chores and stuff."
Bates also noted that some of the coyote populations in the region are coming down with mange, or even worse, grease mange.
"So, typically, when a population gets up like that, it harbours more disease," said Bates. "We don't want that spreading around the countryside either."
Part of the problem with the coyote population is that they have no natural predators, says Bates.
"When populations get up, they need to be regulated."
For the classic, hunters were able to go out within one hour of Stettler, but they have to be back in town by 6 p.m. with their coyotes. Prizes will be awarded for mangiest coat, nicest coat, and most coyotes hunted. Other prizes will be awarded as well.
The first prize for the event, for most coyotes, is $2,500 and three rifles.
"So, you know, (we're going to) get everybody who's participating involved and then there's a bunch of the door prizes to be given away and a nice meal," said Bates. "You know, I must say this is a not-for-profit uh sanctioned event."
Bates says that funds raised from the event will be going back into the event, and any funds left over will be donated to the Stettler and District Food Bank.
After the day of hunting on Jan. 25, there was a banquet at the Stettler Community Hall.
"You know, hunters like to B.S.," said Bates, with a laugh.
"They said it was really run. The banquet went really well. Everyone was really impressed."
The banquet was catered by Stettler's own Jacked-up Coffee.
Bates notes that over the two days, around 90 coyotes were brought in around 25 of which had mange or other diseases.
In total, around 30 teams totalling around 120 participants took part in the two-day hunting competition, though Bates commented that there were some weather-related challenges for the hunters.
According to Bates, some of the teams were unable to make it into their blinds or other hunting areas due to the depth of the snow, so they had to make alternate arrangements on the fly.
Winning first place was the Chupacabras, second, Monty, Dale, Deven and Lola, and third, Trevor, Jared and Kai.
Colton Waddy and team won a special category for bringing in the heaviest coyote, Ron Benjamine and team brought in the prize for mangiest, and Mike Bates and Al hunter brought in the prize for the coyote with the nicest fur.
Whether the Coyote Classic returns in 2026 is going to depend on what is happening with the coyote population, according to Bates. If the population is still high, it will come back, if it starts reducing to manageable numbers again it may be paused.
More information about the Coyote Classic can be found on Storm Mountain Outfitters Facebook page.