I probably read this piece of literature about 30-40 times per year. And everytime it makes me a bit teary eyed. Awesome writing.

Such a great story, I have bought many "collections" of outdoor writing and this is far and away one of my favorites.

Great story. I really appreciate what Field and Stream does to promote great outdoor writing, especially classic pieces. I like straightshooter's idea of an archives section.

woooo, can't let anyone see my watery eyes at work!
Great story, thanks.

Classic story.

Had the pleasure of working with Jay Cassell on THE GIGANTIC BOOK OF HUNTING STORIES -- an 800-page doorstop full of great stories, including this one, from heavy-hitters like Zane Grey, Gordon MacQuarrie, Gene Hill, Tom McIntyre, Thomas McGuane, and many others.

Dig it, fellas.

The Road to Tinkhamtown is my absolute all time favorite outdoor story. I first read it in the pages of a battered, dogeared copy of Field and Stream when I was a young boy. I am now 41 and I have always carried this story with me in my memories. Thank you for reprinting it so that I may be able to share it with my children, nieces and nephews.

Read these comments. There is a market for outdoors fiction. Outdoor's magazines don't have to be dominated by "How to" articles and gear reviews.

I apologize for my lousey proofreading and failure to correct my typing and spelling mistakes in my previous post.

Looking forward to more.

i've spent many hours inside the pages of f&s and always looked forward to corey ford. he is missed. thanks to f&s for revisiting some of his writings."as though to prove that beauty is the only thing that lasts."

http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=14&Z=19&X=108&Y=1442&W=3&qs=%7cTinkh...

My father loved this story as did I . Throughout the years I have read this story countless times , and I still have my fathers original issue which was saved specifically for this story . I let one of my hunting partners read it and he also fell in love with it . I found another copy at a used book sale and purchased it for him . When my father passed away the first words from my friend were " He's gone to Tinkhamtown " Today I stopped by my mom's and grabbed my brothers copy of Field and Stream and headed for the porcelain reading room , and was floored when I opened the magazine and there it was , it was as if he was saying " Hello" , from Tinhamtown . We need more of this , and AMEN to more Macquarrie !

I love the artwork with that article. Can anyone tell me the name of that artist or if there is anyway to obtain a print? The image completely embodies the hunter/dog relationship to me. Fantastic.

I remember growing up "The Mountain Journal", a little magazine in north central PA that was filled with wonderfully worded fiction and non-fiction tales and accompanied by great sketches. There is something great about reading these short stories, to not necessarily reliving someone's guiding hunt, fishing anicdote, or tutorials. I would love to see more of this genre.

A fantastic story and as I remember, one of the first that I read.
Its a lot of fun looking at old maps and exploring that way.
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My grandfather and father brought me up on the writings of Corey Ford. You
could provide no better guide for the next generations, and no more appreciated
memories for previous ones than to republish his and other great outdoor writers'
stories. There is much more to be learned from them than just "how to". There
are also elements of growing up and growing older with understanding for the
creatures and people around us.

My God! This is like a time warp in reverse.
The Lower 40 and every character still sit around the pot belly stove eating rat trap cheese and swapping yarns and the days latest tramp into the woods. I can hear them all just as clear as they were sitting right here with me. Sadly there are too few men who are employed in the trade anymore who could spin such yarns in an outdoor mag. and have people buy the thing. Frankly, the time when all this was not only anticipated but thoroughly enjoyed has passed yet from the comments here, there is a market. I still break out the old mags. that I saved and read them. Check out the work in progress of Laurie Bogart Morrow as her next book has great promise of more on Mr. Ford.

I read this story for the first time yesterday and we I got home took my dog for a long happy hike in the woods.

I read this story when I was in my 30's and I got all choked up.I read it today and had tears rolling down my cheeks. I couldn't stop1

A wonderful story. Amazing how outdoor people make that connection with Gods creatures. I am reminded of the Rod Serling story about the coon hunter who died trying to save his dog in return his dog kept him from taking the wrong road instead of the right road to paradise. Also Craig Morgans song "Almost Home" comes to mine.

This story is truely amazing and unforgetable!!! In our family Cory Ford has left his foot print in our hearts. This story will never get old. I hope The Road to Tinkhamton will always have a special place in all bird hunters hearts as it does ours. It is a truely a wonderful story!!!!!!!! It is by far my favorite!!!

I'd never read this story, though I've read a lot of Ford's other work. I recognize where it fits in his canon though; it follows another beautiful piece of work called "A Morning in April". If you haven't read that one, you should. It's just as good as this one.

I just lost my 87 year old uncle "Moon" last night, he shared this story in a F & S he had kept for a few years around 1973. I remember reading it while I was staying over at his house to go fishing the next morning. He, my dad and myself always hunted for quail and grouse in the mountains of Tennessee, we shared many wondeful days in the fields and woods and I learned alot about life during that time; while we were fishing that day he asked what I thought of the story and of course I loved it. He at that moment looked at me and said I hope that is how it is when I leave this world, that I get to hear King's bell one last time,well here's to you Uncle Moon; I hope you heard the bell chime. A wonderful uncle and friend, I waill always cherish the old 12 gauge Franchi. Love, from a nephew.

About three years ago I watched my dad taking his own road to his own Tinkhantown, and it was very difficult.

Reality is that we will all go there one day, we may just call it a different name. No reason to be afraid.

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