I called John Strickland the greatest mind in the sport. Others are calling him the GOAT. Terry Walker called Randy Smith the most driven guy he had ever seen after fishing with him in the long daylight hours on the Artic Circle.Either way, these guys are not your future Walmart greeters. They are a couple of mid-life victors ardently exhibiting the philosophy of longtime Oakland Raiders coach and owner Al Davis; “Just Win Baby.”
Smith and Strickland are profits of the Davis Doctrine every time they release their immitigable Lone Pine Lady female into the deep dark woods of a major coonhound competition hunt and they are fulfilling Davis’ commission on an incredibly frequent basis these days.
GONE TO THE DOGS PODCAST host Steve Fielder catches up with Smith and Strickland just a handful of days following Stickland and Lady’s mastery of the JOY Dog Food Super Hunt in Texas on the last weekend in February. The trio talk about their hound, about John’s winning ways in competition and Smith’s prowess, and long- term success as one of coon hunting’s most dedicated and effective breeders.
If you want to know how the upper tier of the game operates, from selection of the breeding pair to cashing in at the payout window, this one will satisfy your every whim.