EP 159: Gone to the Dogs with JR Gray

In 2018, Kentuckian J.R. Gray made coon hunting headlines by winning, in the short span of two weeks, coonhound world championships in two registries, UKC and AKC.  GRNITECH, two-time World Champion Rack Em Willy became one of the most recognized hound in the sport overnight.  Winning one world championship in a lifetime of coon hunting is something most coon hunters never realize.  Winning two in that span of time is unthinkable. J.R. Gray, at 27 years of age, has compiled quite a coon hunting resume with his hounds.  Prior to winning two world championships, Willy made the All- Grand Top 16 at Autumn Oaks and was named the UKC Male Performance Hound of the Year, both in 2017.  Willy is also a PKC Platinum Champion having earned more than $20 thousand in that registry’s events.As if Willy’s accomplishments weren’t enough, Gray finds himself basking in the limelight of one of today’s most prestigious wins, the UKC Tournament of Champions with a son of Rack Em Willy called Grand Nite Champion Gray’s Conor McGregor.  Conor captured the coveted first place win and a check in the amount of $50 thousand at the second annual UKC Tournament of Champions in Greencastle, Ind., in April.Steve catches up with J.R. to discuss his amazing career with Willy and Connor in this timely and extremely interesting episode. Listeners may be surprised at the perspective this young man has on the sport as he reveals what the sport means to him.  This is a good one for the young hunter and seasoned veteran alike.  We would like to thank those who support this podcast. Special thanks to Double U Hunting Supply for sponsoring this episode. www.dusupply.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@DoubleUHuntingSupply/podcasts