The first annual Storm Mountain Outfitters Coyote Classic gets underway this weekend, Jan. 25-26.
According to organizers, the hunting competition is 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 can go out within one hour of Stettler, and 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 will be a banquet at the Stettler Community Hall.
"You know, hunters like to B.S.," said Bates, with a laugh.
Not everyone is on board with the event.
A Jan. 15 Facebook post by Coyote Watch Canada criticizes the event, stating that it flies "in the face of hunting ethics and sound science," while a change.org petition has garnered 447 signatures of its 500 signature goal.
"We've been taking a lot of heat from a number of wildlife and conservation groups and stuff and apparently there's a petition out to stop this as well," said Bates.
"Those groups don't get out and, you know, monitor the populations. They have no idea that people's kids are being followed to the buses and how detrimental they are to ... the agricultural community when they're killing $3,000 calves. You know, that affects the bottom line of our farmers and you know ... they might put some ranchers under."
Bates says he is hoping for 50 three-man teams to register for the event, and registration will remain open until Jan. 23.