The Catmobile
The Evolution of the Catmobile
 Editor’s
Note: The Catmobile, a varmint-hunting van designed
by Gordon Burrell, a professional varmint hunter, will
help you take more predators. Burrell says,“I’ve
built the Catmobile to keep my hunters warm, dry and
comfortable and to make sure we leave little or no scent
in the areas we hunt.” Burrell’s hunters
only get out of the van to retrieve a downed varmint,
remaining the rest of the time inside the van or looking
out the top of the van while Burrell or the hunters
call to the varmints.
 Burrell
developed the sliding roof in his Catmobile through
trial and error. “We first used a plywood lid
that was on hinges,” Burrell describes. “When
we wanted to call, we simply pushed the plywood open,
propped it up and called and shot. When we were finished
hunting, we pulled the lid down and moved to the next
location. However, we grew tired of raising and lowering
the wooden roof. Too, sometimes, that plywood roof fell
and hit us on our heads. To build a better roof for
the Catmobile, we came up with the idea for the sliding
Plexiglas that’s on a track on the roof to insure
it’s easy to open and close. This way, the roof
moves silently and effortlessly. Another reason we like
the sliding roof is that  we’ve
discovered that one of the best times to hunt varmints
is when a light rain’s falling. I’ve taken
as many as eight bobcats on a drizzly night. Too, when
I stop to call, I can slide the roof forward so that
it’s right at my back. I’ll have my rain
jacket on and be o ut
in the weather calling, while my hunters are sitting
warm and dry inside the van. Once I see the eyes of
the predators coming in, I simply push back the roof.
My clients can get their guns out of the rack, stand
up and ready to take the shot without having to get
soaking wet. The other advantage to this system is on
cold rainy nights, I’ll stay warm. The heat from
inside the van will come through the roof and keep me
warm.”
For more information you can contact Rick Adley of
Trophy Wildlife Adventures at (817) 656-1200.
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