I got hooked on predator calling in 1991. I now have my own problem-animal control business and use calling and trapping as the main methods to control predators that cause serious economic losses to sheep farmers. Our main problem animal is the black backed jackal and I have shot more than 900 up to now. I also present courses in calling and trapping to farmers and hunters in South Africa and Namibia. I am a member of The Freestate problem animal control association and one of only two accredited by Nature Conservation to give courses in South Africa.

Two of the many courses I gave where I called in and shot some Jackal.

CALLING IN SOUTH AFRICA

Calling is relatively new to South Africa and the majority of callers are farmers trying to minimize lamb losses due to jackal and caracal, and hunters who like to hunt the whole year round. Jackals come to a call fast and furious and there are still thousands of jackals that haven't been called to. I started calling in 1991 using cassette recordings of jackal howls. I later ordered cassettes from Johnny Stewart in America (jackrabbit and cottontail distress calls) which also worked very well. In 1994 I did a course with Major Boddicker (ROCKY MOUNTAIN WILDLIFE PRODUCTS) from Colorado who taught us how to use his Crit'R Call (an open reed call). I had such success that I started my own business in 1995.

Major Boddicker (front left) and some pupils with a jackal called and shot on a course in the Southern Freestate

My pick-up with the shooting frame at the back, from where I do most of my calling during the night.