The Cheyenne River Predator Hunters hosted the first annual predator calling contest with all proceeds going to family of Molly Plunkett. Plunkett suffers from a rare birth defect that has prevented her heart from forming correctly. Photo from Facebook

Cheyenne River Predator hunters
By Brandon Ecoffey
Lakota Country Times Editor

MARTIN— A group of Lakota hunters are doing their best to control the number of predators stalking livestock while inspiring others to take up the sport of predator calling.

The Cheyenne River Predator Hunters are a group of four Lakota citizens from the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Reservations who are providing a service to the community and spreading the word about safe hunting practices.

“We hunt predators in the hopes of helping out some our local ranchers,” said Derek Hunter, one of the founding members of the group. “We also want to draw interest to the sport of predator hunting,” he added.

Hunter is joined by Lonny Leismister, Oren Leismester, and Dakota Longbrake. According to the Hunter the two Oglala hunters spend majority of their time searching and calling game in areas around Martin, SD, and the two Mni Coujo hunters do their hunting on Cheyenne River.

The group has created a website that can be accessed at crpredatorhunters.com and a Facebook page that is listed under the title Cheyenne River Predator Hunters.

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During the December 11, 2015, weekend, the group hosted its first ever calling competition in Eagle Butte. The Cheyenne River Classic will invite hunters east of Eagle Butte on Saturday to compete in a calling contest where winners will receive custom hunting bundles, belt buckles, and a share of an added $2500 that has been donated by local sponsors.

“In the contest people will call in and record them,” said Hunter.

Contestants will then be awarded based off their footage and the number of predators that they have lured in by calling them audibly.

All proceeds from the event will donated to the family of Molly Plunkett. Molly was born with a rare birth defect that effects the formation of her heart. The money going to her will help defray some of the family’s accumulated medical costs.

For more information please visit the Cheyenne River Predator Hunters Facebook page.

(Contact Brandon Ecoffey at editor@lakotacountrytimes.com)

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