“That’s a Good Name”

A couple of weeks ago the Heart of a Sportsman fellas took part in one of the dog gone coolest events in North Carolina, the annual Southeastern Treeing Walker Days. The Rowan County Fairgrounds played host to coon hunters from over half of the United States. There was more Carhart bibs, camouflage, 4 wheel drive trucks, hunting dogs and spit cups than you could ever imagine in one place. Needless to say, we felt right at home.

Proverbs 22:1 says, “a good name is better than great riches.” I know that this verse of scripture is talking more about the person behind the name than the name itself, but I couldn’t help but think of this verse while I was reading a list of the names of coonhounds in the Walker Days hunting competition. Coon dogs have really cool names! Hardwood Elvis, Goose Creek Slammer, Bolt Action Reverend Jones just to name a few. Now those are good names! Although these names caught my attention, to the seasoned coon hunter they are nothing really special, just run-of-the-mill names. However, I did learn that there was a name that would particularly cause a cooner to raise an eyebrow. A special name that would cause a seasoned coon hunter to stop in mid spit and swallow his ‘baccer juice when he heard it. The name seemed to demand attention. The name was “Yadkin River.” Whether it is Yadkin River Pete, Yadkin River Joe or Yadkin River Jinx, any dog that had the Yadkin River title was special. Collectively called Yadkin River Dogs, dogs from this bloodline seem to be a cut above other coonhounds. They have the amazing ability to sniff out and tree coons with incredible speed and ease. The bloodline has produced more champion coon dogs than one could ever count. To many in the world of coon hunting, Yadkin River is the name above all names. I guess you could actually say that in the coon dog world, “a good name can mean great riches,” cause often times the puppies from these hounds bring thousands of dollars when sold.

While thinking about the cool names that coon dogs have, another name came to mind - the name of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us in Acts 4:12 that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." After putting your hope and trust in Jesus, you belong to an amazing bloodline. Romans 8:16 even say that when we accept Christ, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” It’s an amazing bloodline to be a part of that comes with great riches: forgiveness and eternal life. Now that’s a name above all names!

Jeremy B. Harrill