February Joy All-Star: Joe Manning, Jr.

Joe Manning, Jr. can’t recall a time in his life when hunting wasn’t a daily part of it. Today, he stands as one of the most accomplished coon hunters in the industry, continuing a proud family tradition as his son also finds success in competition. We are proud to recognize Joe Manning, Jr. as our February Joy All-Star!    

Joe’s journey into hunting began early, inspired by his father, Joe Manning, Sr., an avid hunter with his own squirrel hunting registration. While hunting was a family affair, coon hunting quickly became Joe’s true passion. His first personal coon dog, Pat, and his first competition at just nine years old set the stage for a lifelong obsession. Along the way, Joe benefited from the mentorship of Guy Manning, further honing his skills.

For Joe, hunting is more than a pastime—it’s a way of life. “When you get to see that dog evolveand reach its potential and understand and grasp the things that you’ve been trying to teach it, it’s a feeling of self-accomplishment and worth,” Joe says. He takes pride in watching young dogs develop into champions and cherishes the strong sense of community in coon hunting, describing it as “a brotherhood.”

Joe also honors the family legacy, finding joy in watching his son achieve success. Though his father is no longer here, Joe believes he’s watching proudly from above and hopes the tradition will continue for generations to come. While Joe has tried many hunting sports, he firmly believes in focusing on one passion. “If you want to be really good at something, you need to focus on that one thing,” he says. And focus he did.

Joe achieved one of his greatest accomplishments in 2021 by winning the PKC World Hunt with Thunderbird’s Black Goose, the youngest world champion in history at under two years old. “That’s one of my greatest accomplishments. It’s a feeling like no other.” His success didn’t stop there. In 2022, Joe won the ProSport Truck Hunt with Thunderbird’s Dominator. His hard work and determination continue to drive his achievements, with no plans of slowing down.

Fueled by Joy Dog Food
Joy Dog Food has been a cornerstone of Joe’s success. “Joy was really big in Texas when I
was growing up. It’s been fantastic for my dogs. I feed the High Energy 24/20 year-round. They maintain themselves well, they look great, their energy level is high, and when you have something that works, you’re not going to change it. Joy Dog Food is doing it the right way.” 

Joy’s High Energy 24/20 is packed with 505 k/cals per cup, designed for hard-working dogs like Joe’s champions. If you want to fuel your dog like Joe does, choose Joy Dog Food. We offer a variety of high-quality formulas, all made in the USA. Use our dealer locator to find Joy near you and give your dog the energy they need to perform like a champion!