It took only one clue for a pair of veteran Flurry Fest treasure hunters to locate the loot.

It's the first time the treasure hunt has ended after one clue, and the first time Justin Buelingen, of Mandan, and Derrick Orr, of Williston, have won.

"We do it every year, like going on the 10th year," Orr said. "It's nice to finally win."

In years past, sometimes the treasure was found in a place they already searched.

Friday's clue told treasure hunters that Bismarck is growing by leaps and bounds, and to keep their eyes peeled. It let people know that before they "embark," they should start in the parks. Buelingen and Orr set off with the clue, a map of Bismarck and a list of the parks and their amenities among their treasure hunting necessities.

"'Leaps and bounds' made us think it was in the north part," Buelingen said.

They tried the Bark Park because it rhymed with "embark," but it appeared to be a bust. They started looking for alternative meanings to the clues. The second line of the clue, where it asked hunters to "keep their eyes peeled" is where they hit pay dirt. The "eyes peeled" part of the clue made them think maybe they should substitute "I" for "eyes" and they went to Igoe Park, the only park to start with the letter "I."

They started looking in the park, and tucked in a bush was a package, wrapped in birthday wrapping paper. It took some work with Buelingen's keys to cut through the tape, but once unwrapped, they had a plaque that told them they were winners. They brought it to the Bismarck Parks and Recreation Department to redeem their prize.

They receive a golf pass, a membership to Capitol Racquet and Fitness, and a family fun package to the Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex.

Until this year, the fastest anyone had found a treasure was four clues, and there has been a time the park district has had to write more clues for a treasure to be found, said Paula Redmann, park district marketing and development manager.

Buelingen and Orr had intended to hunt for the treasure all weekend, along with two other friends. Now that they won the prize, their weekend plans have changed. Buelingen plans to go to Devils Lake to go ice fishing, and Orr might go bowling.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)