Danielle Champ, a Clay County High School graduate, and her husband, Gary Champ, also a CCHS Graduate, have been into coon hunting for many years.

Danielle recently competed in a coon hunting competition in Elberton, GA, at the end of September. To be able to compete in this event, you have to qualify at a regional event. They are held throughout the United States at different places throughout the year. Once you qualify, you can dent in your entry for the hunt in Elberton, GA.

Around 1,072 dogs get qualified to enter, and about 116 showed up to compete in Georgia. They show the sex and breed. Danielle’s female, whose Grand Champion ‘pr’ Champs Backwoods Beauty Queen, aka Izzy, competed. She is owned by herself and her husband Gary. Izzy won the treeing Walker coonhound female World Breed Champion and then went up against other breeds to compete for overall World Champion Female. She competed against other coonhounds and WON against a tough line of females. Then, the overall male and the overall female compete for overall.

This year, Danielle was fortunate enough to be owner, breeder and handler of the female and the breeder of the overall male. This was the first time in history of the United Kennel Club that two littermates have ever won overall and opposite sex would championship. This year has made the third year in a row that Izzy has won the treeing Walker Breed Female at the World. They have competed in about 16 different states for this year’s PURINA race and they are currently winning this year as well! The race will end at the end of October and we wish them luck and hope they win! Good luck and congratulations!