How do you pronounce TUSX? We often get asked this question. “Tus-ex”, “Tus-ix”, “Tussocks” or “Tusks”; these are all names we have heard mentioned to pronounce our brand. However, none of these are accurate, with the correct pronunciation of TUSX being TUSK…
Many years ago and long before we developed a passion for stalking the shy and secretive game species in our region, we would venture into marshes, swamps, temperate forests and outback regions…for we were only concerned with the pursuit of one animal, an animal we have always admired. Whose tenacity, strength, courage and elusiveness to this day we hold in the highest esteem. This beast being the wild pig…
I sometimes reflect on these times that were filled with adventure and the thrills of the chase. We travelled light…our only weapon being a stabbing knife on our belt and pig dog to our side. Over the years we developed a strong bond with our team of hunting dogs…there were four; Toby, Ben, Chad, and Jock.
Every dog’s natural instinct is to hunt in a pack, and like many hunters, we also share a strong inherent tendency to hunt…like has occurred countless times throughout the history of our existence…man and dog once again created an alliance. Together we all became a team, we all became a unit…we became a pack…
During these adventures, we would often be confronted with our fears, and in doing so were forced to overcome them when racing to the assistance of another in need while battling a fierce and angry boar…we learnt a lot about each other, the bond that had been forged was indeed strong within us all.
Alas, everything must unfortunately come to an end…the time when my hunting dog passed was filled with sadness and despair. I had learnt many life lessons from him; selflessness, loyalty, and sacrifice. One last time I buckled his leather breastplate onto him, a war-plate riddled with countless scars from many, many encounters battling fierce wild boars…and placed him into his grave. I have never hunted this way again, and have never since owned another dog…
Inside his grave I also buried my stabbing knife…and onto that blade I had there two words engraved…TUSK HUNTER.
Tony Stoyanovski
Founder
TUSX
G’day tony, I’ve just read through the meaning of your brand name and it has brought back so many memories of my own. I too use to hunt with a well trained pack of hounds chasing big boars in the mountains of NSW until going further a field in search of these big hardy animals in the cape and gulf country which I called home for 6yrs. Many many big boars fell and too did my beloved mates. I picked up the bow 5 yrs ago and have not saddled a dog since. Awesome product guys
Thanks Lonnie, yes hunting wild pigs with pig dogs is an action packed activity with many thrills, spills and camaraderie. Bowhunting is so different being quiet, stealthy and often solitary. I’m glad I got to experience those times with good mates and our team of pig dogs, we have some great memories as no doubt you yourself would also have in your own experiences. Thanks for your support, much appreciated.
TUSX incredible story. It’s evident you have a tremendous passion for the outdoors and for hunting. Thanks for sharing bud!
@Walter Lee Thank you, they were great times filled with adventure.
Some of my fondest memories are of that time we spent with our four legged warrior buddies, lots of memories of days full of adrenalin and adventure. I was always curious about the knife and the name behind the clothing, always meant to ask but kept forgetting. The X had me a little confused though, I understand why now. Great times!
@Peter Todorovski Yes mate they were wild and primal days alright…I still recall the time when the dogs split up with Doug and I heading in one direction. You were left alone with only a couple dogs to battle the boar we dubbed the “Terminator”. I remember getting back to you in the dark, you were still wrestling with that boar…who had refused to flee at every opportunity, but rather went into full attack mode. Close calls and crazy days…
He had messed the dogs up, we had to perform some bush surgery to close the woulds up. You were very lucky to escape the way you did that day…
That cranky old boar is certainly one that stands out! It’s hard to remember how long we all battled for in that lignum but it felt like an eternity. I couldn’t believe his stamina and how he was still standing, let alone fighting, with so many holes in his vitals. Ben got the worst of it and needed quite a few stitches.
Yeah I remember how ragged you looked when we eventually got back to you. Ben would never take on many boars, he was more of a finder…but on that day he rose to the occasion and showed real spirit. Wild times…
Yeah mate, the dogs an I both, totally spent, you can see it in my face in the photo with Doug above, all bloodied and battered. That old warrior had seen better days and was in the twilight of his life, I’m kinda glad we didn’t run into him at his prime, I have a feeling it might’ve ended a little differently if that was the case. Ben was too clever to put himself in sticky situations where the big boars were involved but he did an incredible job on that boar. We wouldn’t have seen half the pigs without him though, hell of a nose on him.
It was a good team we had, I’m so glad we got to experience it all…We carried a lot of meat out of the scrub over the years…old friend.
We sure did mate… I do miss those years and often think back… wouldn’t change a thing! I’ve been working towards getting back out there with a bow despite the setbacks in the last 12 months and slowly putting the gear together. Still a little while off but maybe we can share a campfire again in the not too distant future.
Here’s one from the very early days where it all started. 🙂
LOL…we were so green then, and with no one to mentor us…had to find our own way.
Yes mate, the campfire will be rekindled again… 🙂
I respect and admire this post an incredble amount. Not many people hunt this way now or view it correctly and in my opinion it is the only way to hunt with dogs.
In it together. Taking the same risks, such stong love/respect between all & no bigger thrill or rush. Deadset mad read.
Also an avid hunter so off to check out the page behind the story
@Chris Stanimirovitch Thank you. Yes hunting in this manner sure is adrenalin filled and creates strong bonds
full respect great words
@Alfie Sawyer Thank you.
Have done the same Alfie Sawyer !! Respect for Tony an his team for taking a huge gamble to have a go an go hard on developing Australia’s best all round hunting clothing ! Thanks Tony “Tusx” crew
TUSX is my favorite camo these days
Awsum story Tony
@Simon Cooke Thanks mate.
Nice blade, interesting lanyard setup.
@Paulo Di Fiori It was an old WWII (I think) military bayonet that I fashioned into a pig hunting knife. Old school setup, I wrapped sodden cow hide leather thonging around the handle where it dried to form a secure grip.
The lanyard was used to keep the blade on my hand when grabbing a pig by the legs to flip it on its back.
It was a very old and worn blade and had probably seen many adventures before I ever layed a hand it.
functional and usuable.
@Paulo Di Fiori Yes it certainly was
A great story and a fitting tribute to a loyal warrior.
@Jay Kaye Thank you, yes when hunting this way the bond between man and dog does indeed become strong…
A fantastic read and a fantastic company
@Mick Kovarik Thank you very much.
Great story. I’ve always called it ‘tussex’. I’ll have to start calling it tusk now!
@Mark Lloyd Thanks mate, yes it can be confusing. But the word Tusk was registered as a business name long ago so we had to try and be creative…
I remember you telling me how the name was pronounced and the story behind it at huntfest last year
@Troy Jackson-Hope Yes most would not be aware of our names origin, glad to hear it’s appreciated. See you at Huntfest next time.
Love the epic story. Glad I know a bit more about the camo I’m passionate about wearing out bush.
@Ben Boikowski Thanks very much.
Can’t wait to get my new tusx out and get it dirty great stuff
@Peter Baughan Thanks for your support mate.
Awesome stuff Tony, love the gear too
@Simon Wilson Thanks very much mate
Right in the feels mate
@Paulie Og Thanks mate
HAIL FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF EAST TENNESSE
@Jason Caldell Thank you…
Great read mate glad my i talked my son in to using your stuff
@Nico Wyntjes Thanks very much mate, your support is truly appreciated.
Thanks for the write up tony.. thank for settling a long argument
@Beau Pearson No worries Beau, I can understand how the name could cause confusion. It is something sentimental to me, as explained in the post. Thanks mate.
Beautiful story and a great product!
@Jordan Furtado Thank you very much.
Respect. Thanx for sharing your adventure. Looking forward to giving the tusx gear a run up the cape..
@Gary Lee Thanks mate, good luck in the scrub…
Great story man. I feel you. My oldest dog was my original. Finder and luger in the mountains. He is very old now and starting to ho down hill. Everyday I think about how devastated I will be whe that day comes.
Keep up the good work. __ love your drive and ambition
@James Bath Yeah sadness is a part of life mate. However, we sometimes still do hunt together…even though we parted ways a couple decades ago…occasionally he still visits me in my dreams…
Awesome and touching story with strong foundations for a great name and brand that is now widely recognised. Respect
@Damion Horner Thanks very much mate, its great to see such positive feedback. This was extremely difficult to get off the ground and is still a massive workload, but the respect from the hunting community is a huge motivator…
That’s a solid read! With everything you’ve done, you’ll be getting many people closer to those wild pigs than anyone thought possible. You have done your hunting partner proud mate!
@Dan Blunden Thanks very much, back in those days I never imagined being in this current position…being just a regular guy who loved to spend time in the outdoors. All the positive feedback is a massive motivator and helps get through the many setbacks when attempting an undertaking such as this.
20 years bowhunting and have all the different camos but TUSX is my only camo I wear now and it is the only camo I recommend to other newbies just starting out. Great product thanks Tony.
@Darren Amos Thanks very much Darren, appreciate your support.
What a great story! Can’t wait to buy myself some tusx hunting gear,just got to get it passed through the minister of finance
Loyalty, compassion, selflessness, morals, mortality, true friendship and adventure. Great to see a hunting apparel brand built on these values
@Aaron Grant Thanks Aaron, being true to your values is an important thing to carry through life… 🙂
Great write up __
So I will do my best to convert to Tusk haha but it won’t be easy after years of saying it as Tus-ix haha
@Tony Gillahan LOL…take it one day at a time mate…you’ll get there… 🙂
I know the fealing very well
They put there life on the line just to please us
@Joe Smith Yes the instinct of the true pig dog is amazingly brave at heart…
To true it a strong bond between man n dog
@Joe Smith Indeed it is… 🙂
The camp is working well over here in Southern California- great product.
@Bernie Maus Thanks for your feedback and support Bernie… 🙂
TUSX dam spell correct – should have read camo pattern, for work I use the new Australian multi cam and your Evade pattern is far more effective.
@Bernie Maus Thanks again, we did spend a few years developing our camo pattern and its great to hear guys are finding it effective in many varied environments.
What kind of knife is that??
@Travis Pontoni It was an old WWII (I think) military bayonet that I fashioned into a pig hunting knife.
I was gonna say quite the unique piece !
@Travis Pontoni Thanks, it was quite old when I got it and saw a lot of use…
That is an awesome explanation of meaning Tony __
My hunting bro wears TUSX and deadset he vanishes into the scrub i am yet to buy your gear but you will be seeing an order shortly for a full set
@Tim Burner Thanks very much, we truly appreciate your support. Best of luck in the scrub…
Order placed Tony
@Tim Burner Thanks very much mate, much appreciated.
That’s a awesome story of hunter and mans best friend, I too gave away pig chasing when my loyal dog of many years passed away, the sport these days just isn’t the same, hence why I love to chase the cranky wild boars with the bow
@Sean Walsh Thanks mate, yes it can be hard when a faithful companion departs us…
I just lost my dog about a week ago now, and it suck’s really bad, I had no idea how much this was going to hurt…I miss him bad…
Chevy Chev that sucks mate, yeah you don’t know how attached you get till ones gone
@Chevy Chev Sorry to hear that. Yes it can hurt when a companion leaves us. Hope all goes well for you.
I dont wear Tusx but have hunted with many blokes who do. Regardless I have the utmost respect for what you have created. Hat off to you.
@Jack Spinks Thanks very much mate, the most important thing is that as hunters we all stick together. You need not support us but as long as we all stand united to keep our industry strong and help ensure the hunting past time can perpetuate to the benefit of future generations…will be great to see.
100% mate. Everything you have created has really shown the above statement. Looking forward to see the Empire grow
@Jack Spinks Thanks again mate… 🙂