Episode #117
Campfire Talk on Deer Hunting & Predator Calling, Burnham Brothers and Understanding the Coyote with Gary Robertson
Catfish Radio – September 12, 2026 This week on Catfish Radio with Luke Clayton and Friends, Luke begins with another visit around the campfire with longtime friend Larry Weishuhn "Mr. Whitetial" about deer season prep and other fun campfire talk! Next Luke welcomes legendary predator hunter and game-call innovator Gary Robertson for an extended three-segment conversation. Gary is the longtime owner of Burnham Brothers Game Calls and spent 15 years bringing predator-hunting adventures into homes across the country through his television series, Carnivore. Throughout the episode, Gary combines decades of field experience with fascinating information about predator hearing, communication, family structure and hunting behavior. Listeners will also hear the remarkable story behind Burnham Brothers, a Texas company whose roots extend back to 1952, as well as the years of research and development that went into creating the company’s groundbreaking Freak electronic game caller. Segment 1: Campfire Talk with Luke Clayton Luke opens the show in his familiar Campfire Talk style, with Mr. Whitetail, Larry Weishuhn. As usual, this conversation captures the relaxed, personal atmosphere that has made Catfish Radio feel like a weekly gathering among friends. Luke shares his thoughts from the outdoors, visits with listeners around the virtual campfire and prepares everyone for the episode’s primary topic: the fascinating world of predator hunting and game calling. It is a fitting introduction to a program that blends outdoor tradition, practical knowledge and the stories accumulated through a lifetime spent hunting, fishing and exploring wild places. Segment 2: The Burnham Brothers Legacy and the Science Behind the Freak Luke welcomes Gary Robertson, one of the most experienced and recognizable predator hunters in the outdoor industry. Gary explains that Burnham Brothers was founded in Marble Falls, Texas, in 1952 by brothers Winston and Murray Burnham. Their father, Martin Burnham, taught them how to attract predators using his natural voice, lip squeaks and sounds made against the back of his hand. Winston and Murray realized that manufactured calls could help other hunters reproduce those sounds. Their calls became nationally and internationally recognized, appearing regularly in publications such as Outdoor Life, Field & Stream and Sports Afield. The brothers even hunted with Roy Rogers and used their calls to pursue predators in Africa. Gary became friends with Murray Burnham during the 1980s and eventually purchased the company in 1991. The conversation also looks back at Gary’s 15-year run as host of Carnivore on the Pursuit Channel. Although he has stepped away from the demands of producing a traditional television series, Gary has no intention of retiring from hunting, filming or sharing his knowledge. Instead, he plans to distribute his outdoor content through different platforms. A major portion of the segment focuses on the Freak electronic game caller, which took approximately six years to develop. Gary explains that traditional electronic callers generally reproduced sound frequencies topping out around 17,000 to 18,000 hertz. Young humans may hear frequencies approaching 20,000 hertz, while coyotes can reportedly hear considerably higher frequencies and cats can hear higher still. According to Gary, the Freak was engineered to reproduce frequencies reaching approximately 50,000 hertz, allowing it to more accurately recreate the ultrasonic components of natural animal distress sounds. One of the biggest surprises during development came when the team recorded a baby cottontail rabbit. Testing reportedly revealed frequencies exceeding 90,000 hertz—far beyond anything the human ear can detect. Gary explains why these additional frequencies may produce stronger responses from predators, especially bobcats and animals that have become suspicious of conventional electronic callers. He also reminds listeners that traditional hand calls remain extremely effective because they naturally create frequencies that some electronic systems fail to reproduce. Segment 3: Calling Educated Predators and Learning from Experience Luke and Gary continue their deep dive into predator calling and the lessons Gary has learned through decades of hunting coyotes, bobcats and other predators. The conversation demonstrates why successful calling involves much more than simply turning on an electronic caller. Predators learn from experience, and animals that have repeatedly encountered hunters may associate familiar sounds with danger. Gary discusses the value of realistic sound, changing tactics and remaining adaptable when predators refuse to respond as expected. Electronic callers provide tremendous convenience and sound variety, but traditional mouth calls and hand calls continue to have an important place in a predator hunter’s equipment. The segment also illustrates the importance of understanding the animal being hunted. Predator calling becomes considerably more effective when hunters consider hearing ability, territorial behavior, hunting pressure and the natural communication taking place between animals. Rather than depending on one sound or one piece of equipment, Gary encourages hunters to become students of predator behavior and allow field experience to guide their decisions. Segment 4: Coyote Communication, Family Life and Ethical Predator Management In the final segment, Luke asks Gary about the familiar chorus of coyotes that often begins around sunset. Gary explains that evening howling serves several purposes. Coyotes are territorial animals, and their vocalizations allow neighboring animals and family groups to announce their locations and keep track of one another. During late summer and early fall, young coyotes begin hunting away from the den. Two or three young animals may travel and hunt together, increasing their chances of success. The mother may later call them back together so the family can rest during the day. Gary also offers an interesting look at coyote family structure. Coyotes generally form bonded pairs, and both adults play important roles in raising a litter. While the female remains close to young pups, the male frequently hunts and returns with food for the female and the growing litter. That family structure influences Gary’s approach to predator hunting. Once coyotes begin raising pups, he generally stops hunting them unless a landowner is experiencing a genuine livestock-depredation problem. Removing the male during the denning period can place additional pressure on the female. An animal that previously survived on rabbits and natural prey may then begin targeting newborn lambs or goats because they are easier to catch. Gary’s perspective demonstrates that responsible predator management requires knowledge, timing and an understanding of the possible consequences. Luke and Gary also discuss coyotes preying on young feral hogs. Luke has personally watched coyotes rush into a sounder, grab a piglet and escape before the sow could respond. Gary confirms that this behavior occurs regularly. A sow may have six or eight piglets to protect, making it difficult to prevent a fast coyote from snatching one and disappearing. The episode concludes with Luke thanking Gary for an entertaining and educational visit and inviting him to return as the fall predator-hunting season progresses. In This Episode The founding of Burnham Brothers Game Calls in 1952 How natural lip squeaks inspired commercially manufactured predator calls Gary Robertson’s friendship with Murray Burnham Gary’s purchase of Burnham Brothers in 1991 Memories from 15 seasons of Carnivore Why Gary transitioned away from traditional outdoor television The six-year development of the Freak electronic caller How coyotes, bobcats and humans hear different sound frequencies Why ultrasonic frequencies may improve calling effectiveness The surprising frequencies produced by a baby cottontail rabbit Why pressured coyotes become suspicious of familiar electronic sounds The continuing effectiveness of traditional hand calls What coyotes are communicating when they howl at sunset How coyote pairs work together to raise their pups Why Gary generally avoids hunting coyotes during the denning season How removing one adult can unintentionally increase livestock losses Coyotes as predators of young feral hogs The importance of combining predator management with respect for the animal Until the next show, enjoy your time outdoors—and always be safe out in the woods and on the water.
