Les Johnson takes 1st Place at the National Coyote Calling Championship
Les Johnson, wearer of King’s Shadow Camo and the host of the Predator Quest TV show, recently won the National Coyote Calling Championship held in Rawlins, Wyoming. Les and his partner, Robin Blake, connected on twenty coyotes during the two-day hunt to claim the 1st Place title. This marks the fifth time that Les has taken home the title of 1st Place Champion.
Thirty-nine teams competed in this year’s tournament with award money being paid to the top ten teams. Norm Heater, the organizer of the National Championship, has been successfully running the tournament for seventeen years and has known Les since 1991. “Les knows coyote hunting. He thinks like a coyote. That, and his persistence make him a good caller,” says Heater.
Two-man teams call coyotes during daylight hours in an attempt to bag more coyotes than the other teams. The teams are ranked by the number of coyotes brought in during the two-day period. Ties are broken based on check-in times. Brothers Guy and Jess Argyle took second place with seventeen coyotes. Money generated from the contest go to provide two college scholarships.
Congratulations Les!
NM-Hunter Tony m. fair chase 100%
December 6, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Congradulations Les and Robin! twenty coyotes in two days thats very impressive. Looks like you guys didn’t have any trouble keeping yourselves entertained. I bet there’s alot of ranchers that would enjoy your having company. You guys make it look easy from the look of that picture, but alot of us know how smart those dang dogs are. I’m just curious to kow if that’s the most coyotes you’ve taken in that short amount of time? Well, all I can say is that’s cool, and keep up the good work. Good luck, in future events not that you need it or anything it looks to me skill plays just as big a part in this deal.
Chad
December 6, 2006 at 2:04 pm
This guy is truly amazing.
Bill
December 7, 2006 at 12:25 pm
I have recently become hooked on coyote calling and seeing Les and what he does on his show as well as what they accomplished in this years competition really inspires me and makes me want to do nothing but hunt these elusive critters practice makes perfect they say and i have called in over 20 this season using some of the techniques from his show. thanx Les
Dusty Domina
December 8, 2006 at 5:56 pm
We just had a 39 hour hunt here in Nevada. The wining team took 12 dogs 14 kit fox 4 grey fox and 1 bobcat. It’s an art and you have it down thanks.
Jim Amies
January 2, 2007 at 4:39 pm
hi i was wondering if there is any other calling coyote competition going to happen again maybe in the western nevada area ?
if there is will someone please e-mail me where to sign up at and when where ?
Thanks Jim
Great job to Les Johnson hopefully i can do as good as you did!
Nolan Rolston
January 3, 2007 at 6:53 pm
you and your brother are the coyote gods in my book,im 13 years old and i just wish I could call on in like you, hopefully i get there. you two keep things up as a team and kill the song-dogs like you have been,
-thanks for all the tips on your videos they will help me persue this sport even more as i get older,thanks Nolan
Jay irwin
February 24, 2007 at 4:22 pm
My friend and I were wondering how to enter into the national coyote calling championship contest, can you email us information on how to get started and the dates to enter into the compitition.
thanks
Jay irwin
Keith
July 17, 2007 at 1:21 am
Hey, i’ll be 18 in October 07. If it wasnt for a friend handing me Les Johnsans Predator Quest i wouldnt have called in ANY coyotes and definately not as close as i have (to actually sniff my boots). I have been looking for coyote compotitions i could possibly attend but the only one i could find is one in illinois. I was woundering if there were any others neer western Nebraska. im not so sure i would do any good but i would love to try!
Phil Wright
November 9, 2007 at 10:08 pm
I have been an avid coyote caller here in the Las Vegas area for quite some time and I am entered in my first coyote calling competition in Cedar City, UT on the 24th of November and would love to find out more about other competitions in the westewrn part of the US. Is there a web site that could give me more information about different competitions. I have heard that there is one in Elko, NV in the North and Pioche, NV in the East. How do I find out about these competitions?
Geoff Nemnich
November 20, 2007 at 11:07 am
Just wanted to give anyone that was interested a heads up about the 3rd Annual Western Nebraska Coyote Classic. It will be Nov. 30th -Dec. 2nd, 2007 in Scottsbluff, NE. I still have a few spots left. My hunt is unique because I send out representatives with each team. These reps hunt along side the team and act as a neutral thrid party to ensure all the rules are being followed. Basically, it’s the fairest way in my opinion to have a honest coyote calling event. If anyone is interested, call me @ 308-641-8084 or email me @ nemnich_1@charter.net
Thanks, Geoff Nemnich
Jakob Woerner
November 20, 2007 at 8:55 pm
That is amazing. Nice job. I was wondering if there is any compitions coming any where close to utah. If there is could you e-mail me. I good greatly appreciate it.
Thanks alot Jake
Ash
November 28, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Jakob – I just saw your post and thought I would let you know there is a coyote contest in utah in about a week (1st week in December I think). It’s Rocky Mountain Contest or something – if you can’t find it let me know and I will ask my husband and post more info cuz I think he will be going!
Larry
January 8, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Was wondering if you had a list of previous winners in the last 6 years?
yote-inator
August 21, 2008 at 4:04 pm
This is the most impressive display of coyote calling i have ever seen
j wild
August 24, 2008 at 2:43 pm
that is nothing i know two guys who shot 33 in one day
yotes-412
August 26, 2008 at 8:32 pm
The real question in life is! How many did you mess up by calling them wrong and making them smater than ever befor. i work with 16 cattle ranches who have had private callers mess up coyotes so bad they become silent and kill for fun. so they want to say thanks for all the trouble. if it wasnt for wildlife services coyotes would continue to destroy our deer herds, cattle and more! so if people are going to pick up the trade heed some advice and stay away from the rabbit whistle!
yotes-412
August 26, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Les Johnson seems to do a good job but does he deal with coyotes that have been called 3-5 times a day?
Jakob Woerner
September 1, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Any body know of any coyote hunting contests around utah. I would greatly appreciate it.
Tim Cooper
July 19, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I am tring to find contact information for Norm Heater or for the National coyote calling contest
Tim Cooper
August 5, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Never mind I found him, thanks.
scott
December 15, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I’m trying to find out the coyote derby in Elko in Jan or Feb. I can’t find a web site on it. If anyone has info please forward to me.
Brad Heath
December 28, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Does anyone know of any coyote tournaments in Wyoming that are coming up?