ABOUT RUSTY Q: "What is your full name?" RB: "Russell Baker, Jr. but I've gone by Rusty my whole life. If someone calls me Russell I don't even look up because I don't notice!" Q: "Where do you live?" RB: "College Station, TX, and at the Days Inn (laughing)..."   Q: "When and where were you born?" RB: "March 6, 1979 in Corpus Christi, TX."   Q: "What are your hobbies when you’re not hunting?" RB: "I love working on my Dad's farm. I like watching any kind of sports, mostly Red Sox baseball & football, and I like grilling poolside with my friends. We usually pitch washers or horseshoes, too. Getting in trouble with Robdawg also....we do that well."   Q: "What are some of your favorite tunes? Who’s your favorite?" RB: "Most of the time if you get in the truck with me, you're gonna hear George Strait, Waylon, Kevin Fowler, AC/DC, Trent Willmon, Bob Seger.... And a lot of Texas guys like Rodney Hayden and Roger Creager. My favorite is Chris Knight."   Q: "Who or what inspires you?" RB: "I'm inspired by men, women and children who tackle adversity with courage and unrelenting determination. People faced with illness, a tragic loss, or a handicap who don't look for pitty, but instead show amazing character and spirit, which motivates those around them to be better. I'm also grateful I've had a chance to be around a few of these people..."

Q: "What is your greatest hunting or fishing memory?"   

RB: "I've actually got one of each. My favorite hunting memory is from a few years ago when I guided a friend, who is paralyzed from the neck down, on a successful deer hunt. He used a device that has a mouth piece on one end, while the other end connects to the trigger. The rifle is positioned on a stand in front of his wheelchair. By blowing in the tube, he is able to activate the mechanisim that pulls the trigger. This was the most challenging hunt of my life. My friend showed what character means, and inner-strength. His attitude on life motivates me today. Fishing in Alaska in 2009 with my 85 year old Grandpa was a very special time for me, and I am grateful everyday for that experience....Anytime I'm with my Dad on his boat is special, too."

Q: "What is the craziest or wildest thing you've ever experienced while filming a TV show?"

RB: "(Laughs) I don't know if I can say! No, I'm kidding...I'd have to say wrestling a wild boar hog at the Sabinal Wild Hog Festival  is about the craziest thing I've ever done on TV. That was major fun! A guy who competed right before my buddy and I exited the arena bleeding from a cut on his eye, and I got nervous then. But it was a great rush! I once waded in waist deep water and picked up about a 25lb. snapping turtle out of the water. That was pretty wild. We let him go, I just wanted to look closely at him. Oh, and once me and Robdawg had a grizzly bear run right at us in Alaska. She stopped 50 yards from us and turned and walked away. She didn't care about us, but we didn't know that as she was running at us!"

Q: What is your favorite TV show?"  

RB: "Everybody Loves Raymond."

Q: "How about movie?"

RB: "Any John Wayne western. Then Lonesome Dove & Braveheart."

Q: "When did you start hunting? What made you choose hunting as a profession?"

RB: "I grew up outdoors. I was trapping with my Dad when I was four. He took me on my first deer hunt at age 7. I was hooked from then on. He taught me that a real hunter is in reality a conversationalist first. My respect for the land and it's wildlife came from him. I love to educate people about what it is to be a hunter, and I love to entertain. Having a hunting TV show just seemed natural."

Q: "If you could give any advice to a young "up and coming" hunter what would it be?"  

RB: "I'd tell him or her that an outdoorsman hunts ethically and safely. He/she teaches these practices to young hunters, and takes advantage of each opportunity to introduce someone new to the outdoors. Learn to identify animal species & become familiar with their habits and traits. Anyone can shoot at something. Learn what these animals are about, how they behave. The best hunting trips are often those when you don't shoot at anything at all. Leave the woods and streams cleaner than you found them. Get involved in habitat and wildlife conservation groups, because they play a key role in preserving the sporting heritage we hold dear."

Q: "What are some miscellaneous things you like?"

RB: "Tabasco sauce, broke-in jeans and t-shirts, Budweiser, playing poker, the smell of a campfire, brunettes, days off, old honkey tonks, Christmas trees, and firm hand shakes."

Q: "What are some miscellaneous things you dislike?"

RB: "Cilantro, liberals in Washington, wasps, mean women, snakes and soap opras."