Like many of you, my interest in predator hunting spawned from hunting the more 'typical' game animals like deer, turkey, dove and quail. My father also played a significant role in my pursuit for predators by teaching me how to trap at a fairly young age. This knowledge helped me in finding the right habitat that would likely hold predators in addition to luring them in to my sets. The real turning point in my interest in hunting predators took place when a close friend of my father showed me an 'old indian trick' of how to call in a fox using only your hands and a single blade of grass which was used as a primitive type of reed. At that point I was hooked since it combined my love for rifles and hunting with the challenge of bringing predators to me with whatever sound I'm using. This was similar to what I had done while trapping with the various lures I used. Since that time, I have spent 20 years calling coyotes, bobcats, fox and raccoons. While I started out hunting these predators any time I could, I have spent the last 15 years hunting these animals primarily at night with the aid of an artificial light - which is legal here in Texas. My style of hunting is continuously evolving and is a never ending learning process that will hopefully continue the rest of my life. I'd be lying if I claimed that I learned everything by trial and error and from my own hard work. While that has played a role in my own personal development in becoming a better predator caller, I have gained the greatest amount of knowledge about this sport from a couple of men that I, along with many others, consider legends in this sport. The initial instruction provided in the early years from Murry Burnham and the more recent hands on help and advice from my good friend Randy Watson has saved me countless hours of wasted time and frustration. I've been fortunate to learn from their hard work and wealth of knowledge that they've accumulated over the years. These men are true assets to the sport and I can't say enough about how they have helped me in becoming a more effective predator hunter. I seriously doubt I'd be hunting predators today if it weren't for them. Currently I provide predator control services for several ranches across West Texas and also run Buenos Noches Guide Service with Roy Bowling who is also from Midland and has many years of chasing predators under his belt. We have access to approximately 1,000,000 acres of land to hunt which is full of coyotes, fox and bobcats. We provide night hunts using custom-made elevated chairs that are mounted in the back of our trucks. In closing, it is a true honor for me to be a member of the Predator Pursuit Pro Staff. Both Jeff and Todd have a great attitude towards the sport and the valuable information they provide will benefit both the novice and experienced 'pro' alike. Their knowledge of predator hunting along with their incredible video quality will put them on pace to become legends themselves and I look forward to spending time in the field with them doing what we all love. Feel free to e-mail me at predatorsniper@hotmail.com any time if you have questions regarding predator hunting in general or if you are interested in booking a guided hunt with Buenos Noches Guide Service.
Thank you and God Bless,
Rusty Holt