Dear Jim and Melony,
The hunt last week was superb and I sincerely appreciate both the opportunity and all that you did for Irene and me. Our combination predator/varmint/ram/feral hog/exotic hunt really exceeded even the high expectations I have developed of MGS hunts over the last five years; you outdid yourselves again. Despite tough environmental conditions including thunderstorms, your expertise resulted in critters responding on nearly every stand we made. The variety was simply amazing with coyotes, bobcats, badgers, fox, porcupine, and raccoon all being in my sights. The jackrabbits provided additional entertainment in between other hunts as well as some really good offhand rifle practice. I truly enjoyed the javelina hunting and am thrilled with the two boars I took.

Much like my previous Aoudad hunt with you in Palo Duro Canyon, I was thrilled with the challenge of the free-range Barbados Rams on the ranch near Ft. Davis. They proved to be worthy adversaries and the heavy horned ram we took will make a fine mount.

Melony, the food was superb, the company was great and Irene enjoyed the shopping and tour of the eccentric communities of Ft. Davis, Marfa, and Alpine while she waited for her turn to hunt exotics. Irene’s Scimitar-Horned Oryx hunt was challenging and provided her with both fond memories and a fine trophy of a battle-scarred old warrior. While I didn’t score on my last-minute exotic hunt due to the self-imposed time limitations I had, I sure got into the impromptu feral hog shooting we did.

Irene, Keiran and I will see you in November for some more big whitetails! We’ll be there early as I’ve got may name on a Gemsbok and just may be tempted by those excellent Fallow stags I saw on the Bruno Ranch. Thanks again."

John R. Zehmisch, AZ

Jim,

I would just like to thank you guys for an awesome time me and my son of 16 years had with all of you. It was a great bonding experience that he and I will have for the rest of our lives.

After leaving your camp I traveled to Nebraska for a Merriam Turkey hunt. The outfitter there did a fine job too. What separates you guys is the professionalism at ALL levels; lodging, food, knowledgeable guides that do it all for you from guiding you, teaching you their tricks that make you a better hunter, doing everything it takes to make sure you have the best shot opportunity and taking care of your game as if it were theirs. I have used you guys in the past, have referred you to many of my friends and will continue to do so as well. Thanks again Melony for putting together the cd of great photos.
Bob and Bobby Burns, PA

“Thanks again for another great MGS hunt!  It was nice to see you all once again and I am looking forward to coming back in the fall.  The times spent in the field were very special and be assured that the "lessons learned" will carry into the next hunting season. Your outfit continues to provide the very best in hunting, lodging, food and accommodations that would surely impress any hunter. Please give Casey a special thanks for all his help and guidance in the field.  Have a safe and prosperous year, and may God Bless you all.  
Mitch O’Donnell, FL

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"Kyle and I had a great time predator hunting with you and Mel this past weekend. Jim - Thank you for all your hard work putting us in position and hunting so long Saturday night it was a lot of fun. That was a beautiful ranch we were on. Mel-the food was wonderful and we love Prissy! As you can see, Kyle is not a boy anymore. Having the opportunity to spend time with him like we did on the drive out there and back and during the hunt was priceless. Jim, your words to Kyle about manhood and facing up to life's challenges were very well taken. Thank you both for the hospitality and great memories".  Sam Jones, TX

"Just wanted to thank you and Melony again for a great trip.  I have never done a predator hunt before but WOW! what fun, with a lot of set ups and action all night.  I'll be back for this hunt again.  Or, maybe just for the meals - gonna be a tough decision.  Can't say enough about the accommodations, meals, guides, etc.  First class outfit for sure.  I will be getting in touch with you on a 06 whitetail and exotic hunt for late December.  Thank you".  Bob Burns, PA
 

The below article appeared in "The Hunting Report" - October 2003 Issue 

If a bobcat is on the list of species you want but chasing one through the snow in the dead of winter gives you pause, then subscriber Wayne Swim may have found just the thing for you. It's a summer hunt for cats in south Texas. 

Yes, Texas is hot in the summer, and cat pelts aren't primed up at that time. But Swim says neither of these are really a factor. To begin with, this hunt takes place at night when the temperatures are a comfortable 70-plus degrees. He says he and his guide set up in areas known to have cats. They used a red light, which is legal in Texas, and both electronic and mouth predator calls to bring the cats in. Swim says he had his own doubts about these predators responding to a call at this time of year when they have so much food readily available, but in two nights of hunting he says he had opportunities at two cats he positively identified and one that would not leave the brush but that he and his guide were sure was a bobcat. 

The first night of Swim's hunt a cat walked a ridgeline in the open but went into cover before Swim could get a shot. The second night, a cat appeared behind the hunters, and Swim, who was hunting with both a 22-250 and a shotgun, missed the shot at 30 yards with the rifle. "I had my opportunities; I just didn't connect," he admits. Despite striking out on a bobcat, Swim says he had a wonderful time shooting varmints, so many in fact, he says his gun barrel grew quite hot during the course of the hunt. Swim also took a javelina with a bow during the day, and he says he had a number of six-eight-and 10 point whitetail bucks come within shooting distance, including one that was already a Pope & Young buck with even another month of growth ahead of him.

Swim hunted with Jim Roche of Magnum Guide Service (Tel. 325-853-1555. E-mail: jroche@magnumguideservice.com), whom he says knew where to find the bobcats and how to set up for them. Accommodations were in Roche's home, where Swim says Roche and his wife, Melony, welcomed him and made him quite comfortable. Swim says the cost of a two-day 1x1 predator and javelina combo hunt costs $1,350.00 plus a 5-day hunting license for $45.00 that covers all predators and varmints, plus exotic game. Bobcats and other predators are huntable year round in Texas.


"Everything at Magnum was top-drawer... my guide was the best guide I've ever had after going on hunting trips all over for 25 years. He was knowledgeable, personable, flexible, honest, positive, and energetic. Our predator hunt was coming to an end at 2am, but when I asked if we could extend it to 3am, he simply did it- no extra charge, no negotiation, just a fine professional guide who loves helping other people hunt! Melony and Marianne (sorry if spelling incorrect) provided superior administration, fantastic food, and were good enough to entertain my kids. In particular, VBS made a lasting impression. The kids are still singing the songs and doing the exercises one month later (unfortunately, in the car!)  I briefly met Gerald, another guide, who also seemed a highly-motivated individual. The lodge provided Top Executive-class accommodations, with some of the most impressive, museum-quality mounts I've seen. Oh, and definitely you guys have got Game. The rack of a management buck you gave my son are on the wall above his bed; it's a monster. You have a unique, flawless, and comprehensive service. We all had a tremendous experience, and want to repeat it; please see my other email for details.... Many thanks."
Len Watkins, NJ

"Doug and I had a great time with Magnum. Our hunt for javelina and predators was great and very successful. Your home is beautiful, your equipment is top notch and guides are fun and very knowledgeable. I'm sure we will be hunting together again in the near future. One of my next hunts will be brown bear in Alaska, but I may have to try for one of those big whitetails I saw while hunting pigs. I would like to thank Jim, Melony (great cook), and J.P. for one hell of a hunt!"
Dave Henry, PA

"I wanted to thank you folks again for my third straight season of great hunting experiences. As always the food, accommodations, guiding and above all the hunting were top-notch, and your hospitality and camaraderie made them doubly enjoyable. The hard work and care you put into your outfit really shows and you can count on me coming back next season. Until then, have a safe and happy 2003!"
Peter Schorn, TX