X RING CUSTOM LLC   FIREARMS SALES - SERVICE - TRAINING

 X RING CUSTOM held their 4th Annual Coyote Competition on Saturday, January 24, 2014.  At 4:30 am, a total of 93 teams from the throughout Illinois (grand total of 186 hunters -182 men and 4 brave women) came in early to pick up bite sticks that had to be placed in the coyote’s mouth in order to be counted for the competition. Hunters also received door prize tickets while they enjoyed coffee and donuts and discussed their hunting plans and strategies. Each team enjoyed the beautiful weather and called in downed coyotes throughout the day.

A grand total of 39 coyotes were brought in to be weighed and counted. Several hunters took a break from hunting and enjoyed hot chili and vegetable soup for lunch. Also, hunters enjoyed a special treat of Trail Bologna provided by Brian Teets of Montrose, IL. Conversation Police Officer, Mike Phillips, was present to receive a retirement gift from X RING CUSTOM in appreciation for his time and service enforcing the game laws for over 20 years in Cumberland and surrounding counties.

At promptly 7:00 pm, only coyotes that were on the premises were counted. The check-in crew carefully inspected each coyote to be a fresh kill. Many hunters received various door prizes of predator calls, cleaning products, t-shirts, tools, ballistic software, hats, and other hunting related items from area and corporate sponsors including: Colin Cole Soft Tanning and European Skull Mounts, Zander’s Sporting Goods, Brownell’s, Pro-Shot Products, Sierra Bullets, Predator Tactics Hunting Lights, Hornady Bullets, Bee’s O’Brien Game Calls, Ohio Paracord and Bow Works, and X RING CUSTOM. The winner of the FoxPro Electronic Game Call, donated by X RING CUSTOM, was Kevin Hinds of Charleston, IL.

Cash prizes and custom designed coyote skull mount trophies, made by Colin Cole of Toledo, IL were given to the winning teams. Since there was a two-way tie for 1st place with three coyotes each, the largest combined total weight of the coyotes was tallied to break the tie. Bringing in three coyotes weighing 96.6 lbs was Dan Campbell of Arthur, IL and Scott Gann of Paris, IL claiming the 1st place prize. Ron Carver of Charleston, IL and Clint Shaw of Charleston, IL also brought in three coyotes weighing 89 lbs which earned them 2nd place. There was a seven-way tie for 3rd place, which went to Jamie Blade of Greenup, IL and Justin Nice of Neoga, IL with two coyotes weighing 72.15 lbs. Colton Mahnke of Sullivan, IL and Justin Navis of Shelbyville, IL snagged the biggest coyote which weighed 38.8 lbs.

Even though the weather was a bit warm, many hunting stories surfaced and many memories were made throughout the day. X RING CUSTOM is looking forward to an even bigger event with the 5th Annual Coyote Competition on January 22-23, 2016 with a two-day hunting contest.