UKC Coonhound Weekly Bulletin, Edition 21
September 16, 2025
Source: Trevor Wade, Coonhound Program Manager
Email: twade@ukcdogs.com
We are over halfway through one of the most important months on UKCs Coonhound schedule each year with Autumn Oaks, the Zones, and the World Finals all seemingly one after another. Time is limited but vibes are high and our team is so ready to get down to Portland to put on the 48th Annual UKC Coonhound World Championship. First I have some thoughts about this past weekends Zones.
I want to thank all that had a hand in making this past weekend's World Zone Semi-Finals a major success. That starts out with all you hunters. Thank you all for supporting the UKC Coonhound World Championship and helping preserve the importance and prestige of the now 48-year history of the event. Even closing in on 50 years running, there were well over 3,300 dogs entered into qualifiers this year, over 800 dogs that earned a cast win at a qualifier, and 531 that ended up entering one of the eight Zone locations.
Speaking of Zones, I have to give a big thank you to the eight host clubs for this year's Zones. The Reading Coonhunters Association, Ashtabula County Coonhunters Association, Flora Coon Club, Missouri Coonhunters Federation, Hawkins County Coon Club, Mississippi Raccoon Hunters Association, Norway Coon Hunters Association, and Lamar Coon Hunters Association. You all hosted some amazing coon hunts. Your guides were able to put 231 casts in the woods over a two-night period with only 11 failing to produce a plus point cast winner. That is over a 95% success rate! With some of the Zones, especially more west, dealing with extremely dry conditions, you have to take your cap off to the guides and to the dog power on display.
Next, I want to thank the Field Reps for their long nights and tedious work. I know I ask for a lot on these weekends, but we owe it to everyone to share what's going on and those guys never skip a beat, and go above and beyond in what they do. Thank you to Alan Kalal, Jamie Estep, Doug Cundiff, Tim Gilchrist, Brandon Scalf, Philip Foster, and Mark Vest, along with a stand-in Rep this weekend in Kelly Deere. I appreciate all you guys do!
Lastly, I want to thank Allen, Lacey, and Lexy in the Hunting Ops Department who help me with so much leading into and after these events. They don't get near enough credit for all they do. And also, my wife Jenna and daughters for always being a helping hand. They sacrifice a lot for me.
Having said that, we have gone from 3,320 dogs that had a shot at the World Title to now only a Top 108. I will be talking a lot about that Top 108 the next 10 days as I often do, going through sires and dams, breed, sex, state, and age breakdowns, multiple owners and breeders, and whatever else I can come up with. Stay tuned.
For now, here are some notes for those Top 108:
- Check in at the Jay County Fairgrounds in Portland, Indiana before 5PM on Thursday, September 25th. Check in with dog in hand as you will draw your cast number and then immediately get your picture taken.
- We will have a catered dinner for handlers, back up handlers, guides, judges, host club, and staff at 5PM, so come hungry.
- GPS Address for Jay County Fairgrounds is 806 E Votaw St, Portland, IN 47371
- Thursday will feature one 2-hour Round with non-hunting guides and judges. Friday will then have two rounds as we go from 27 dogs to three by the time the night is over. Saturday we will be down to just three for the Final Cast.
- Same as the Zones, each handler will be allowed one back up handler, who at least in Round 1 will be allowed to either walk with the cast or stay at the trucks.
- The Finals is held using the Full Elimination Format Rules.
- I would suggest going through the FAQ quickly, it has a lot of Zones info but there is also some stuff that pertains to the Finals in there. You can find it here: Zone FAQ
PAST EVENTS
If you want coverage from the past weekend, I have you covered.
- Michigan Zone Results Forums
- Ohio Zone Results - Forums
- Illinois Zone Results - Forums
- Missouri Zone Results - Forums
- Tennessee Zone Results - Forums
- Mississippi Zone Results - Forums
- South Carolina Zone Results - Forums
- Texas Zone Results - Forums
- Top 108 Forums
- Friday Zone Results Website
- Saturday Zone Results Website
- Top 108 Website
UPCOMING EVENTS
There is one event on the calendar this weekend and it is one of the premier state championships of the year in Kentucky. Honestly, after a mostly national event focused September, major events get fired back up in a big way during October. Be sure to check out the Events Calendar, Major Events Schedule, and Youth Championship Schedule to make plans.
- Kentucky State Championship in Winchester, Kentucky
WHATS HAPPENING?
Right now, all eyes are on the upcoming World Championship in a couple weeks. In addition to the 108 hounds that punched their tickets to the World Finals by way of the Zone Semi-Finals, we also have 171 hounds entered into the World Championship Bench Show which is the highest number for that event since 2018. It has been a great year for the show program with excellent numbers in the Winter Classic, Autumn Oaks, and now the World Championship. Thank you all for your support. Lets take a look at who is entered.
2025 Coonhound World Bench Show Entry List
Lastly, Im again going to take a minute to talk about the Triple Crown. Last week, I mentioned that we needed to keep our eyes on the Tennessee Zone and how Echo would do with a chance to sew this thing up. Well, all he did was double up with cast wins and punch his ticket to the World Finals. Not only that, but with 200 points now on his resume, having not lost a Triple Crown cast all year, he has taken home the UKC Triple Crown before we even make it to the Finals. After several years of winning all over the country and knocking on the door for the Triple Crown, he has now been added to the record books where his name will live forever. (Past Triple Crown Winners)
Congratulations to Logan Rose, Todd Rose, and Jeff Wilson of Tyner, Kentucky for winning the 2025 UKC Triple Crown with GRNITECH(4) 'PR' Rose's Wild Dreamin Echo!
For this accomplishment, we might as well make him this weeks Dog of the Week. Lets find out more about him.
DOG OF THE WEEK
Im not sure I can give Echo any better of an introduction than the previous paragraph, so lets just jump right into finding more about this years Triple Crown Winner, GRNITECH(4) 'PR' Rose's Wild Dreamin Echo.
Name: GRNITECH(4) 'PR' Rose's Wild Dreamin Echo
Breed: Treeing Walker Coonhound
Date of Birth: 8/9/2019
Owned by: Logan Rose, Todd Rose, and Jeff Wilson of Tyner, Kentucky
Bred by: Logan Rose
Three-Generation Pedigree:
--- GRCH GRNITECH'PR'OLE SOUTH'S STYLISH REBEL
- GRNITECHHOF'PR'OLE SOUTHS STYLISH KNOCK OUT
--- GRCH GRNITECH'PR'INSANE WENTY
GRNITECH(4)'PR'ROSE'S WILD DREAMIN ECHO
--- GRNITECH GRCH'PR'HARDWOOD DREAMER HTX
- GRNITECH CH'PR'WILD DREAMIN GYPSY
--- GRNITECH GRCH'PR'BUCKEYE WILD COOKIE
By the looks of it, Echo was one of those natural coondogs. He achieved his first cast win only five days after his first birthday, taking both rounds of a double header in Manchester, Kentucky. Four weeks later, he finished out to NITECH earning his first title, with a cast win at the 2020 Autumn Oaks in the process. Fast forward to the TOC Regions in 2022 and it was there in the middle of a double cast winning weekend that Echo finished to GRNITECH.
That win would propel him onto the Major Event Map as he would go on to Greencastle at the Tournament of Champions Finals and make it all the way to the Top 6 where he would fall just 25 points short of that Final Cast. However this would not be the last time we heard from the young man and his hound. Later that same year, Logan and Echo would advance through the Zones to the World Finals in Dyersburg, Tennessee where they would end up 16th Place Overall.
2023 started out good for Echo with double cast wins at the Winter Classic. He got qualified for the World Championship but couldnt get the breaks he needed at Autumn Oaks or the Zones to complete his quest for the Triple Crown. Then in 2024, he again doubled up at the Winter Classic, and then was able to get a cast win at Autumn Oaks to put him tied for the lead in the Triple Crown going into the Zones. He had a cast win at the Zones but didnt have enough points for the Finals, coming up just short of winning the Triple Crown, losing on a tiebreaker to the eventual winner.
2025 started the same as the last two, with Echo doubling up at the Winter Classic. If you are keeping score at home, that is three consecutive Winter Classics without a loss, six casts in a row. Not bad for a hound 500 miles away from home. Not only did he double up but he ended up being the Reserve Champion accruing 1,325+ over the weekend. Echo stayed consistent as always qualifying for the World in June and then winning another cast at Autumn Oaks, the 3rd time in his lifetime from the best I can tell. To erase all doubt for anyone who may be nipping on his heels this year, Echo sewed up the competition early by doubling up at the Tennessee Zone last weekend. At the time of this writing, his march towards a potential World Championship title is still ongoing and we wish him luck next weekend, but his race for the Triple Crown is finished. Congratulations again to Logan, Echo, and the whole team!
UKC HUNTING OPS PODCAST
Last Wednesday the Autumn Oaks recap podcast dropped. I hope you all enjoyed that one. I know it got a little lengthy but its such a busy week with so many people that deserve recognition. Give it a listen if you havent already.
This weeks episode is another in Allens Undisputed Series which has turned out awesome. I love hearing about the hounds and stories of the past. I would go back and listen to his interview episodes with Steve Burkholder and Rick Stretch if you havent already. I know of three more he has ready that are going to be great listens as well. One drops tomorrow so stay tuned to the podcast feed wherever you listen. He has Dave McVay who most of us are familiar with having seen at events all over the country for the past several years. This is bound to be a great episode.
UKCS ALL-QUARTER CENTURY CAST
This weeks voting is what I had envisioned when I put together the concept for this UKC All-Quarter Century Cast voting. I saw multiple people sharing the post, encouraging voters, and making cases for their historic hounds. It was as competitive a list as youll see and taking home the top honors with 60% of the vote was NGRNCH GRCH GRNITECHHOF 'PR' Redneck Backwoods Shack.
This is the last week of Autumn Oaks semi-final voting, as next week will be our Autumn Oaks Finals, and will determine the 3rd member of the UKC All-Quarter Century Cast. In this weeks poll you will pick a winner to advance from the winners between 2021 and 2025. You will have three Treeing Walker males and two Treeing Walker females to choose from. Who will join Hard Knockin Big Mama, Wild-N-Blue Lou, Houses Mr. Clean, and Redneck Backwoods Shack in the Autumn Oaks Finals? Lets meet your options.
2021 Winner - NGRNCH GRNITECH(3) 'PR' Indiana Outlaw
Treeing Walker Male
Owned by Alan Holding and Jason Cooper of Fishers, Indiana
Out of GRNITECH 'PR' Stylish Tank & GRNITECH 'PR' Little Miss Milo
Born 8/17/2015 and bred by Michael Nissley
- 2021 National Grand Nite Champion of Autumn Oaks
- Qualified for World Zones 3 times (2018, 2020, 2021)
- 2nd Place at 2021 World Championship
- Top 24 at 2023 Tournament of Champions
- Cast wins at 2017 Treeing Walker Days, 2018 Treeing Walker Days, 2020 World Zones (Double CW 1675+ combined), 2021 World Zones, 2022 Winter Classic Warm Up, 2022 Autumn Oaks, and 2023 TOC Region
- $7,000 earned in UKCs TOC, World Championship, and Pro Slams
- 29 cast wins on record
- 10,275 plus points in 20 reports with recorded scores (513.8+ average)
2022 Winner - NGRNCH GRNITECH(3) 'PR' Hannascreek Dolly
Treeing Walker Female
Owned by Mike Carmack and Lance Belcher of Liberty, Indiana
Out of CH GRNITECH 'PR' R&R's Neosho Cuz & 'PR' Jacksons Finley River Sugar
Born 10/17/2018 and bred by Jeff Jackson
- 2022 National Grand Nite Champion of Autumn Oaks
- Qualified for World Zones 4 times (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025)
- Top 24 at 2024 Tournament of Champions
- Cast wins at 2021 World Zones, 2023 Winter Classic, 2024 TOC Region, 2024 Indiana State Youth Championship, 2024 Youth Nationals, 2024 World Zones, 2025 Winter Classic Warm Up, 2025 Winter Classic, 2025 Youth Nationals, 2025 Autumn Oaks, and 2025 World Zones
- Currently in Top 108 of World Championship happening next week
- $3,500 earned in UKCs TOC, World Championship, and Pro Slams
- 37 cast wins on record
- 10,437 plus points in 31 reports with recorded scores (282.1+ average)
2023 Winner - NGRNCH GRNITECH(2) 'PR' After Dark Ferris
Treeing Walker Male
Last owned by Gary Bennett of Belton, South Carolina
Out of GRNITECH 'PR' Bowers After Dark Mikey HTX & 'PR' Hickmans Hunny Bee
Born 5/2/2018 and bred by Daniel Hickman
- 2023 National Grand Nite Champion of Autumn Oaks
- Qualified for World Zones 3 times (2019, 2021, 2023)
- Cast wins at 2021 Ashland Spring Championship, 2023 Ten Mile 300 Pro Slam, 2024 TOC Region, and 2025 American Plott Days
- $600 earned in UKCs TOC, World Championship, and Pro Slams
- 22 cast wins on record
- 7,325 plus points in 21 reports with recorded scores (348.8+ average)
2024 Winner - NGRNCH GRNITECH(2) 'PR' She's a Bit Shady
Treeing Walker Female
Last owned by Cole McVeay and Griffin Marshall of Buffalo, Texas
Out of GRNITECH 'PR' Goose Creek Woody & NITECH 'PR' McVeys Awesome Annie
Born 12/7/2019 and bred by Elgin McVey
- 2024 National Grand Nite Champion of Autumn Oaks
- Qualified for World Zones 2 times (2023, 2024)
- Cast wins at 2024 Bandit Bash Pro Slam, 2024 World Zones, and 2025 TOC Regions
- $3,000 earned in UKCs TOC, World Championship, and Pro Slams
- 21 cast wins on record
- 7,900 plus points in 21 reports with recorded scores (376.2+ average)
2025 Winner NGRNCH GRNITECH(2) 'PR' Hoosier Daddy
Treeing Walker Male
Owned by Nick Imel of Bluffton, Indiana
Out of GRNITECH 'PR' Monsters Heart Burn & 'PR' Sweet Lou
Born 2/9/2020 and bred by Ben Crocker
- 2025 National Grand Nite Champion of Autumn Oaks
- Qualified for World Zones 2 times (2023, 2025)
- Cast wins at 2022 Treeing Walker Days, 2023 AO Warm Up Slam, 2023 Autumn Oaks, 2023 World Zones, 2024 Treeing Walker Days, and 2025 World Zones
- Currently in Top 108 of World Championship happening next week
- 21 cast wins on record
- 10,100 plus points in 28 reports with recorded scores (360.7+ average)
You will have until Monday, September 22nd at 11:45 PM EST to cast your vote. You vote right here: VOTE NOW
Guided by the belief that dogs make a difference by being the best partner a human can have in the field, on the job, or in a competition event, UKC is a community for people and dogs to pursue excellence together. Founded in 1898, UKC has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of Dogs That Do More, and their owners, by providing essential resources to help owners and breeders make informed decisions. The dog-human bond is celebrated through family-friendly programs highlighting the instincts and heritage of purebred and mixed-breed dogs alike at over 18,000 licensed events annually.