I recently spent a day traveling with a good friend and tremendous recreational coyote caller. We both have entered lots of contests and we discussed the pros and cons and the cheating in many of the contests. The primary concern for both of us was to compete on a level playing field. We have both been beat out due to a lack of a level playing field numerous times. We talked about putting on a National Finals Coyote Calling Contest that would be as cheat proof as could be possible. Here are some of the ideas we discussed to establish a level playing field, eliminate cheating, and help the ranchers and / or big game when it would do the most good!
#1 It would need to be held in the month of Feb. which is when coyote immigration is slowing down and closer to calving and / or fawn drop. To help with livestock loss may help with land access and may also help provide additional prize money as an incentive. Helping with livestock loss would put coyote calling contests in a more favorable light.
#2 Only accomplished callers that have placed in at least one contest in the top ten would be allowed. Either that or need proof of some established criteria to only allow the best recreational callers. I realize that this will create hard feelings but it is the National Finals and only the best should qualify. The other reason is that the ranchers would want accomplished callers not begginers shooting holes in the sky.
#3 It would be held in an area where there was lots of similar terrain with a stable coyote population throughout and where they have been causing problems.
#4 We discussed the idea of drawing for a specific area within the general area and having a guide go along and stay in the pickup. The drawing would be allowed 1 or 2 days prior to the contest to allow for scouting but not be so far in advance to attract coyotes to baits. If a bait is present in the area, so be it. Consider it good luck! The ranchers would guide or select a guide that would ride along and stay in the pickup or be close enough to the general area to know what is going on.
This system should prevent baiting, pooling coyotes, night calling, running coyotes down with pickups, and other forms of cheating. It would also prevent people from piling up in the same areas. It would provide a level playing field and an equal opportunity to have the best areas. Areas would need to be equal in quality. I can think of many areas this would work if a large block of landowners were willing to provide access and guide or furnish a guide in return for thinning out problem coyotes. The sandhills of NE comes to mind. Similar terrain throughout with lots of coyotes.
#5 The number of acres per team would need to be established. Some areas may encompass parts of a large ranch and some may encompass numerous ranches.
#6 Or it may be portions of similar public land that contains stable numbers of coyotes.
#7 It would be a 2 full day contest. No stopping at 3:00 PM to stand around waiting for a banquet. Daylight to dawn for 2 days.
#8 Ties would be broken by total weight and not check in times.
#9 All coyotes would be blocked and probed
#10 Teams would travel in the same vehicle but have the option to split up or call together. This would allow for stalking a hesitant coyote while the other man calls. Driving a group of coyotes or a cripple to a partner. Some teams would be more comfortable calling together, others would be more comfortable calling seperately. Every one would have the option but both would travel in the same vehicle or 4 wheeler.
#11 All proceeds would cover expenses and the rest would pay out to the callers.
#12 It would pay 10 places.
#13 All callers would be surveyed prior to the contest as to rule concerns and all rules would be based on a majority rules consensus.
#14 limiting to between 40 and 60 teams would be about right.
Your thoughts?
