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A hunter for hire Alex is available for seminars and speaking engagements, as well as an official Rutt & Strutt hunting guide. Contact him through Rutt & Strutt at (417) 255-1234 or visit www.ruttandstrutt.com. |
Alex Rutledge
of Rutt & Strutt Outfitters
Primetime TV has made some hunters instant celebrities while others — arguably the best among us — have managed to stay under the mainstream radar. Alex Rutledge fits that bill.
Rutledge is a household name for many hunting families, but he earned their respect the old-fashioned way. He's made hunting videos in the field, won turkey calling competitions and taught seminars at hundreds of outdoor sports shows across the country.
Show me the turkey
Rutledge, the youngest of 10 children, was born and raised in the hills of the Missouri Ozarks. His first hunt wasn't an option — it was necessary to put food on the table. He heard his first turkey gobble when he was 3, started squirrel and rabbit hunting at 5, and called his first gobbler in with his voice at age 14.
Rutledge's parents raised turkeys in southeastern Missouri as part of the state's first attempts at wild turkey restoration. It provided the perfect classroom for him to master the nuances of the bird, including turkey calling.
Through the years, Rutledge has accumulated countless turkey calling contest titles, so with the expertise Rutledge drummed up in the field and on the competition stage, it's no surprise Hunter's Specialties tapped him as a member of their dynamic pro staff. In his 24 years with the company, Rutledge helped design and test many of their popular outdoor products, including several Hunter's Specialties' Infinity latex diaphragm mouth calls, the Thunder Twister Gobbler Call and more.
"Diaphragm calls have always been one of my favorite products to help develop, test and teach people how to use," Rutledge said. "I helped develop [Hunter's Specialties'] new 'Deep Cut' mouth call. It's a four reed call that lets you produce the most realistic cutts and yelps, and it's easy to control. The Deep Cut is also great for purrs and clucks."
The Rutledge Legacy
Rutledge was inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame in 2007, becoming the youngest member ever. By then, he'd already clocked more than 20 years of experience in the industry.
Rutledge's face has appeared on TV shows, hunting videos, as well as commercials for Hunter's Specialties. He's been a guest on radio shows and featured in countless magazine articles. And he's traveled the country giving hunting seminars, inspiring others to pursue their passions like he has.
Rutt & Strutt Rutledge
Rutledge's hunting career was tied closely with Hunter's Specialties for more than two decades.
"I have deep appreciation and gratitude for everything Hunter's Specialties, especially for what [CEOs] David and Carman Forbes have done for me over years," said Rutledge. "I intend to continue my strong relationship with them."
Today, however, his camo hat bears the logo of Rutt & Strutt Outfitters, a company based in West Plains, Mo., his native Ozarks.
"Rutt & Strutt Outfitters wanted to be a bigger player in the outdoor industry, we knew we needed to recruit a 'big name,' to make it happen," said Rutt & Strutt Marketing Director Mike Crase. "Since Alex is from Missouri, we approached him with our vision and asked him to become part of our team."
It worked
Though he maintains a strong relationship with the Hunter's Specialties brand, Rutledge was excited for the opportunity to work from home and be near his family.
But his schedule with Rutt & Strutt is still busy.
"As of right now, our plans are to be a chain of sporting goods stores in the Midwest and beyond," said Rutledge. "We currently have a radio show that is aired in several stations in Missouri and Arkansas."
And there are plans for a TV show, "Bloodline, Heritage Beats On!" to air July 2011 on the Pursuit Channel. — J.J. Reich