The Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County, NY held their 13th Annual statewide 3-day Coyote Contest on February 7-9, 2020. A total of 636 hunters participated in the contest including 31 female hunters and nine youth hunters. A new record take of 118-coyotes were brought in, breaking the previous 2017 total of 85 coyotes. A total of 22 coyotes were brought in on Friday, 45 on Saturday and 51 on Sunday.

Ken Vanderpyle of Glen Wild, NY hunting in Sullivan County won the contest with a 50.30-lb. female coyote. Ken used a 22-250 rifle and hunted over bait. Ken earned a check for $2,440 -- $2,000 for the heaviest coyote of the contest, $200 for taking the heaviest coyote on Sunday and $240 for 3 more coyotes.

Second place honors went to Keith Mitchell Jr. from Ellenville hunting in Ulster County, took a 49.45-lb. female coyote using a call and a .308 rifle. Keith earned a check for $700 -- $500 for second place and $200 for the heaviest coyote taken on Saturday.

Taking the third heaviest coyote was Codie Nichols of Otego hunting in Otsego County took a 49.15-lb. male coyote hunting with the use of dogs and using a .204 rifle. Cody earned a check for $410 that includes 3rd place $250 and $160 for two coyotes.

Dan Baker from Oneonta hunting in Otsego County brought in the heaviest coyote on Friday, a 46.10-lb. male. He earned a check for $200.

Keith Mitchell had the heaviest coyote (49.45-lb.) on Saturday and Ken Vanderpyle had the heaviest on Sunday.

The youth division was won by Lane Hartwell of Phoenicia hunting in Ulster County took a 29.25-lb. coyote using a call and a 17hmr rifle. Lane received $100 for winning the youth division, a $100 gift certificate donated by Fur, Fin & Feather sport shop in Livingston Manor and $80 for his coyote. He earned a check for $280.

The female division was won by Billie West of Elizaville. Hunting in Columbia county, she took a 45.35-lb. male coyote and earned $100 plus a $100 from Fur, Fin & Feather Sport Shop in Livingston Manor, a $500 cash prize from the Roscoe Brewing Company and for bringing in six coyotes $80 for each. She earned a check for $1,180.

Over 300 hunters and guests enjoyed a delicious roast beef dinner prepared and served by the White Sulphur Springs Firemen. In attendance was Retired Judge Frank LaBuda, Sullivan County Clerk Russell Reeves, Sheriff Mike Schiff, Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, Acting District Attorney Meagan Gallagan and candidate for NY Senate Mike Martucci.

A very special thank you to the following merchants, individuals and companies for their generous donations that helped to make this coyote contest a success: Sarge Knives-Greer, SC, Wildlife Research Center-Ramsey, MN, FoxPro-Inc-Lewistown, Pa, Midway USA-Columbia, MO, PFI Inc 2 Blade Knives-Valencia, CA, National Wildlife Research Center-Fort Collins, CO, Roscoe Brewing Co,- Roscoe, NY, Fur, Fin & Feather Sport Shop-Livingston Manor, NY, Delaware Valley Agway-Callicoon, John Eschenberg Inc-Callicoon, Bisbee Lumber Supply, Hancock¸ Kohler Lumber-Jeffersonville, Roscoe Diner, Roscoe Lumber, Marino's Outdoor World- Hancock, Peppino's Restaurant-Callicoon, Fallsburg Lumber, Klein & Son Logging-Liberty, 52 and Vine Wine Spirits-Liberty, Callicoon Supply & Lumber, Narrowsburg Feed & Farm Home & Garden, Advanced Auto-Monticello, Liberty Trading Post, Lake Huntington Auto- Motive Service, Monticello Home Lawn & Garden, Schmidts Plumbing Heating Wholesale-Monticello, Mower's & More-Youngsville, Marcia Fink, Eddie McArthur, New Munson Diner-Liberty, Liberty Tractor Supply, Cochecton Mills, Shakelton Auto & Truck Center, Auto Zone-Monticello, Dirlam Lumber-Narrowsburg, M & B Peppermills & Wood Work-Liberty, Jeannie Hillriegel, Il Castello Pizza-Barryville, Rod's Taxidermy-Callicoon and Muthig Farms.

Please support the people, businesses and companies mentioned above because they support us sportsmen!

jack danchak is the President of the Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs of Sullivan County.