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Feature Stories (Vol. 110 No. 4--1/23/2008)

KFD tournament growing to premier coyote event in state

By Caroline Downs

The Kenmare Fire Department’s annual Coyote Tournament is fast becoming one of the premier events in the state, thanks to the generosity of area businesses and the hunters who support the tournament. "The bar was set pretty high, but we met and/or exceeded last year," said Nate Condit, one of the tournament’s organizers.

"This was so well received by all the hunters," added Chuck Leet, another member of the tournament committee. "We had a lot of compliments."

Thirty-one teams, with hunters from Mohall, Minot, Noonan, Williston, Mandan and Beulah as well as Kenmare and the surrounding communities, participated in the event which began Friday night with a meal and calcutta at the Memorial Hall. The tournament concluded Saturday evening with supper and the award announcements. The meals were prepared and served by the Kenmare Fire Department Auxiliary.

"Most hunters said the food served up here far surpasses anywhere else they go for these tournaments in the state," Leet said. "And the facility excels for putting something like this on."

The teams were also treated to door prize packages worth between $50 and $60 apiece. "Our business community, and the surrounding small communities, were so good to us," said Ron Jensen, a tournament committee member. "They were behind us a hundred percent. We appreciate it tremendously, and our contestants were awestruck with the door prizes they received. We’ve got hunters who are going to be back."

Rich Hensen of Minot presented a seminar Friday night about the fur market and proper handling of furs. He purchased furs from Saturday’s take of fox and coyote at top dollar, resulting in a $400 boost to the fund for the new fire hall.

In fact, the tournament, calcutta and other contributions from the event provided more than $5,000 for the fire hall fund. "There was a lot of hard work," Leet said. "It was the community that did it."

According to Jensen, the hunters showed enthusiastic support for the tournament events. "There were hunters both nights, just sticking around and talking hunting," he said. "I think some were there Friday night until 1:00 am!"

Committee members also cited Jamie and Heather Livingston for running the calcutta, sponsored by Kenmare Vets Club, Inc., and Butch Haugland of Haugland’s Action Auction in Crosby for donating his services as auctioneer. "That’s a big hit on Friday night," Leet said.

"Over $6,000 was spent on 31 teams," added committee member Mitch Duerre. "That’s an average of $200 per team."

Cold, dry weather conditions Saturday provided terrific hunting opportunities. "It was just about right for what a lot of the teams said they were doing for calling," Condit said.

Jensen noted the teams in Kenmare’s event also played by the rules. "We don’t send out any checkers with them," he said. "You see it in other events that when people cheat, these hunts are over within a year."

Condit and Jensen facilitated the rules meeting held Friday night. Those two, along with Duerre, spent the previous weekend volunteering with the judges at the sixth annual Coyote Classic held in Dickinson in order to improve their skills for the Kenmare event. "We checked in 83 coyotes in two days, so we got quite a taste of what to look for," Duerre said.

Twenty-two coyotes and five foxes from Ward and the surrounding counties were harvested Saturday in Kenmare’s tournament.

Trent Johnson of Mohall and Joe Engh of Tolley won the event.

Terry Bush and Travis Bush, both of Minot, earned second place.

Kirk Hennix, Kenmare, and Travis Hennix, Williston, claimed third place and won the "Big Dog" contest with a coyote weighing 36 lbs., 2 oz.

Julius Brekhus, Kenmare, and Troy Miller, Mandan, finished in fourth place, while Trevor Melin, Kenmare, and Ryan Ones, Tolley, took fifth place.

Bernie Knutson and Dave Gins, both of Kenmare, received the prize for the "Little Dog" contest with a coyote weighing 25 lbs., 5 oz.

In addition to cash prizes, the winning teams received trophies made by the Kenmare FFA chapter and caps commemorating the 2008 Kenmare Coyote Tournament.

Dale Clemens and Doug Clemens, both of Noonan, won the earlybird registration prize.

This year, the Kenmare tournament attracted the attention of companies specializing in coyote hunting merchandise. Kevin Kerner, Beulah, set up an exhibit for DPMS Arms and discussed the products with hunters.

"We’ve had interest expressed by the Coyote Doctors in Pierre and Mobridge, South Dakota, for attending and doing a seminar," added Jensen. The company is noted for producing coyote-calling videos for hunters.

He continued, "We had some helpful input from some of the hunters to improve the hunt. Our thoughts are already moving forward to next year!"