G. Sitton wrote a piece several years ago for another publication under the moniker of "Jacob Bowers" as a memorial to a man named Henry Simmons. It was a beautiful tribute to an outdoorsman who, in Sitton's words, "never got over a buffalo he saw in the Bitteroot." He concluded the story by saying, "He lived a long time and knew the names of wildflowers."

I'm going to find "Old Tom" and read it.

In the early 80's F&S ran an article written by a man who had been involved in a hunting accident where he shot and killed another man while hunting.

If memory serves me correctly the story took place in a New England State, an old man was wearing duck brown clothes and was crawling beneath a pine tree when he was shot and killed. The writer did an unbelieveable job expressing his guilt and remorse. A very sad story indeed.

My understanding is that the story won many awards and to this day remains one of my finest reads from F&S.

Mine is actually from this very blog. It was a story from last winter entitled "Nash" by Ned Coveny. It absolutlely destroyed me, but in a good way. I wanted that relationship and connection to a dog so bad, even if I eventually had to deal with what Ned was dealing with. It seemed so special it is beyond words. Ned, however did an amazingly beautiful job of putting it into words. It is extremely heart renching, but makes you appreciate what you have. I just read it again and now I cant wait to get home and spend some time with the little guy. Thanks Ned!!

"Nash, this a good place. It is close to the sun, so it will be warmer. The wind will play you a tune and I expect there are quail around that will be by on occasion. It is high, wild and lonely and will stay that way"

“I have seen men bury their dogs and not be able to stand up to leave the grave.”

May I add, even harder when you bury your life long friend, your Hunting Buddy rain or shine, the one who was always there to lend a hand but most of all when just happens to be your Father.

_________________

I remember reading a story about sightings of a ghost/spirit of an Old Man hunting with a rifle slung over his shoulder high on a mountain above the tree line walking the old cat trails and forest roads, sometimes sitting on a giant rock overlooking the valley below. Some say they have seen the Hunter others said they have talked to Him giving them advice and sometimes warnings finding out later to find it saved their life.

My best friend is laying in a bed in Neuro ICU after a stroke late Saturday night. He is out of the woods from a life threatening standpoint, but uncertain about long term recovery. We have his dog since his spouse is at the hospital 60 miles away and it is tough watching that loyal dog looking for her master. Luckily, she is not too traumatized being at our place since she has been there many times with Carl.

Dogs are more loyal than people. Lock your favorite person in a crate for a few hours and see how they respond when you let them out! There's your difference.

What this has to do with the subject, I have no clue.

WMH

Dave, Nothing gets me misty eyed like good dog stories or remembering my own good dogs from the past.

I found this book quite by accident. Ted Kerasote, who has written for a number of outdoor and indoor rags, mags and media outlets is in my opinion an exceptional story teller. In his book "Merle's Door: Lessons From A Freethinking Dog", he takes you through his experiences with a stray he found at a critical time in his life. It is a love story about a dog with what some might say are controvesial insights into the canine thought process. A best seller and a very good, emotion and thought provoking read.

WMH,

When my Dad had his episode several weeks back my yard mutt and my Dad's french fry buddy (my Dad always brings him an order of McD's fries when he visits), sat quietly by my side as I worked on him. When the paramedics got there he stood by me leaning on my leg. As the ambulance left with my Dad and I on board he sat by the drive way and quietly watched with his head down. Dogs somehow know and understand...

Sorry to hear about your friend, but I'm glad to hear you have his dog. They need support too and she couldn't be in better hands. We'll send a prayer up for him and his family.

FWIW, I would subscribe to any magazine that included more writings like those described. I'll admit that I even read Bill Heavey's ramblings inside the back cover of F&S regularly, even though I don't always relate, at least it's a good story.

WA Mtnhunter,
Awesome Bull, Congrats..
I like to send a prayers to your friend if you don't mind:
Heavenly Father, You are intimately aware of the struggle that he is experiencing:the stroke and the life threatening situation..You know the desire of his heart to be healed of this illness..I ask now for Your healing touch..I know that You are able and that just like in Bible times, You can heal him with no question ask..
I also understand that You will chose what is best for him..I pray that through this trial, He will draw close to You and He will be your Comfort and Strength..I pray that ultimately, whatever happens, You will be glorified through him..I pray this in "Jesus" name, Amen!!!

I hesitate to call any of these great writing because writing about the loss of a dog is like slap fighting a blind man; you can't lose.

The hardest I ever cried in my life was when my dog died. I was a grown man when that happened, by the way. We've all had dogs we loved and, because dogs don't live as long as they deserve to, we've all lost them. And we've all cried. I wonder if I could feel good about a man who could bury his dog and not cry.

Give those writers credit for tapping into those feelings. But that is all they are doing. The dog you had as a kid does the rest.

What's very sad is the lack of these articles in today's magazines. I have about 100 Field&Stream, Outdoor Life, a few Sports Afield and even a couple Fur, Fish and Game magazines in my hunting room. Most of these are from the 1970s and 80s, which were my formative years. Not one of these made the cedar storage chest in order that I could reference bow speed or the technical specifications of the latest short fat mag. Or that I could look at pics of giant antlers that someone paid 10 guides to round up for him/herself.

Each one earned its place by having a story that touched my heart. Or, as in the case of Patrick McManus, made me laugh hard enough to cry.

As I got older and life experiences had their way, I realized why these stories affected me. As a greenhorn whose father didn't hunt or fish, I somehow connected to the outdoors through these wonderful stories. I treasured them, and lived vicariously through them, until I was old enough to start venturing out on my own experiences.

If I were growing up today and reading only the modern mags, I'd think hunting and fishing were mainly a testosterone contest in which the winner kills the biggest animal in the least amount of time with the most expensive tools. There's no way reading this stuff would have hooked me as a youngster.

That being said, hats off to Scott Bestul for his blog today (Whitetail 365). One of the best in a long time. And, like the good stories in my mags above, no mention of brand names, grains or anything related. Just the important stuff.

focusfront,
you have said it best!

I loved Patrick McManus's articles in the 70's F+S. They made me laugh out loud more than all other authors combined. Gene Hill was solid gold too, I love reading his stories in the back issues I've saved.

WAM

Nice WAPITI !!

I bet you had to be a goat to get to it a mule to get it out! LOL!!

The fun doesn't start until you pull the TRIGER!!

To Scott in Ohio: Very kind of you to ask. My vote goes to a short tribute I wrote to Gene Hill titled "The Man Who Knew a Secret," which ran in the December, 1999 Field & Stream. Better than that I cannot do.

Additionally, why can't some of that stuff be archived somewhere on a website. I just looked up at my post and saw Dave's reply to Scott in Ohio: Now I want to read Dave's tribute, but don't really want to find the box that has my F&S from the late '90s. If some of this classic writing was available, even on a "Archived Article of the Month" type basis. I bet a lot of people would enjoy reading that stuff.

Like Wags, I'm pretty sure I was still playing with Tonka trucks when Bill Tarrant first started writing for F&S, so I don't know if it's in its original form as it appeared in the magazine, but if anyone has a yen to read it "And I Do Not Walk Alone" can be found in the introduction of "Hey Pup, Fetch It Up."

And I've got ten bucks that says it makes you cry like a wee girl...

Wags, I forgot to add, if you don't mind could you send your e-mail address to the online editors so they could forward it on to me? I'm sorta kinda looking at setter pups this spring and I've got a few questions about Llewellins...

Clay,

About 100 yard drag on level ground to access a clear trail to go downhill! That oakbrush is something else.

Thanks

"That is why writers do what they do. It ain’t the money." That's the difference between a job; a career choice; a gift; a calling.

WMH: I'll pray for your friend's recovery as I see others on the blog are already doing. Similarly, one of the most influential men in my life has had a stroke and is somewhat incapacitated now at the age of 85. He could have been Dick Proenneke's twin brother! Almost 30 years ago, when I was 20, he gave me the first real Father / Son talk I ever had; was my best man when I married and has been a praying supporter of all that has been good in my life!

WA Mtnhunter your best friend has my prayers.
My best friend passed away today at 4:45 EST after an illness he fought like a young teenager dragging his first big buck out of the woods by himself. He finally succumbed to pneumonia. We have been friends and have hunted together for 35 years. We watched each others kids grow up and after my second child was born, my wife was checking out of the hospital and met his wife checking in to have their third and last one.
I do find it comforting that instead of finding myself full of sadness, I am filled with many wonderful memories of work, hunting, and fellowship that we shared throughout those years. I was walking the dog earlier this evening and I caught myself wondering if they will bury him with his pipe.

I'm with wags, proverbs and you dave

There's so much great writing in the archives of F&S, not a lot of it about the 'How' and most of it about the 'Why'.

It should be available

Maybe we should all write to someone with 'editor' in his job title.................
SBW

Thank God almighty Jill is only 2 years old and we (hopefully) have many years to enjoy before she passes. Heck she might outlive me. Feb 8 will mark 60 years since the doc gave me a slap.
Growing up my family always had hunting dogs. One of the best a big Walker hound named Slim was killed by a big Florida Diamondback. My dad's all time favorite was a Bluetick apropriately named Blue. We hunted deer with dogs and Blue was killed in his old age by a large Whitetale buck. In his prime Blue caught and killed a full grown Otter. The old man never got over losing that dog.
More of those old stories like we used to get in F&S and outdoor Life back in the 50's, 60's and 70's would be a definite plus.

Dear Dave,
Only an accomplished writer has the courage to bring up the subject of great writing, and open up the discussion to the public. The consensus seems to be for the writing that does not aim to push a commercial product...writing that shares a story, without apologizing for human and canine sentiment. If editors were truly as bright as they may think that they are, they would gear up for better writing, and let the commercial interests pay for the privilege to advertise within its pages; not the flipside of that. There will always be columns for the technical things, but for the Corey Fords and McManus's, there should always be room.

Thanks for the perspective, and may your tribe increase. I am impressed by the articulation of our guys in this blog. It seems that words and shooting adventures go together quite well.

Blue

Dave (like some of the rest of us) just wants us to think that he is the ever stoic curmudgeon. In there somewhere is a real soul with compassion for all of his brothers and sisters in arms.

A paperback entitled "Hunting's Best Short Stories", edited by Paul D. Staudohar, includes several of the old-style, maudlin short stories, including noted classics by Hemingway, de Maupassant, Quammen, and Stegner. "The Road to Tinkhamtown" is included.

Regarding man and dog, there's the old saw about locking your wife and dog in the trunk of the car for two hours. When you return, the riddle goes, which one will be glad to see you?

Since the early 50's I began reading F&S, OL and True magazines every month. In the Univ. of MO library I accessed the archived issue and read Cory Ford from the beginnings. Good writers had the inate ability to take you along with them and you shared in their adventures. Some could really make you laugh, some could make you cry, but they all told us a good story. Too many were taken too soon. With apologies to MAJ. C.E. Winchester of MASH fame, most writers today "can play the notes but they can't play the music".

Write on, Dave, write on.

I think the consensus here is that F&S readers like some of the older style material. Reprint some of the classic articles of the past and have a special section of the magazine devoted to it. Wouldn't cost anything and you might be surprised how it would be received.

For some strange reason, my eyes are drawing water just reading some of these posts.

I have a Bluetick that I love more than life itself and, by her actions, it seems that the reverse is true as well.

There is a soft spot in Petzal after all. Most all of Gene Hill's writing would arouse a laundry list of emotions in me as could Gary Sitton, Nash Buckingham, (The Harp That Once)and Uncle Robert's Moss, Mallards, and Mules; a treasured item in my small library that is signed by Bob. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Good writing is like fine wine; it gets better with age. Unfortunately, some wonderfully heart warming literature is considered politically incorrect by today's sensitive society. Outdoor writing is now geared toward the technical, where I went, what I shot theme; leaving out the sights, sounds, and smells of being outdoors.

Petzal,

I love you and hate you at the same time, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. These stories always bring back the good and bad memories I have about the best dogs I've ever had. Also reminds me of reading "Where the Red Fern Grows" as a kid and balling my eyes out. I read that at least a couple times a year until I was about 20 years old. Love that book.

Wow, Old Tom started the tears rolling real quickly. I have read a couple others, but I have to agree with Petzal.

Been busy ,. just scanned the blog
WA MTN Hunter
Given what i know about you now,. ( reading between the lines)
If your freind is even half what you say,.
having been in harms way,.. 65 is too dam soon,.
I'm not what anyone would call good at ( praying ) but I know it works other wise I wouldnt be here.
That said my prsyers ( for what that might be worth ) go out to and for him

Mr Petzal good article ,. personally not much for the sappy stuff either but I think ,. refreshing would be a word that would fit here .

I've mentioned it ,. just not sure it was here .
Have a weak spot for dogs
My Chessie ( 100 pound+ male ) was my last dog,.
He was with me ( or better said . I with him ) for 15 years.His last year or so,. was tuff,. on both of us.
But finally he gave me a look one day when he tried to get up and didnt quite make it,. that nearly killed me. Which made me determine for his digniy ( he had dignity ) that I had to put him down,..
Evens so,. it still took me a week to screw up the courage to do it
To this day I can't say his name without gritting my teeth
Think I can say with some confedence ,. peope who know me do not refer to me in sentences containing the words weak or emotional yuk yuk

But the day I put him down,. after taking care of details at the vet,
I went directly from the vet to a room with a big bottle of scotch and locked the door
I stayed there for the better part of two days .

Did that twice in 40 years,.. once when I burried my father and once when I burried my dog.

Getting back to the idea of reprinting classic F&S articles from the past, here is my nomination. "Design for Setters", by George Bird Evans, Field and Stream issue of December, 1956. Anything by Ted Trueblood would be good also.

David: Big O has it right--Heavey's story about his father's decline was a masterpiece, and a worthy successor to Hill and Ed Zern. They all know that true humor is inseparable from tragedy. For those of your readers who want to know what we're talking about, the wonderful anthology "The Best of Field and Stream: 100 Years of Great Writing..." is still available on Amazon.

I can always find a better use for my time than let some wrongly-focused writer put me through it. No time for bizarre, nonadaptive obsessions. Dog die? Get another. I got two! That is now my minimum number. I'm a diehard MacQuarrie fan. He lived a blessed existence and shared it with us. Then he died young, without having to experience "an interim of lesser joys." If you need an obsession, collect rifles and shotguns. Go hunting more.

Three Weeks With Nothing to Do

for my friend, now long lost, in the mire of modern society, i weep and long for the "good old days".. simply being alive wasnt enough.. now i dont think he is anymore.. wasnt even 40.. but the memories we made will live with me for life and death.. those memories will be the final ones i think of before i expire..

For those looking for more good writing about hunting, there's a book collected by David Peterson that gets to the "why" of hunting as opposed to the technical "how," called "A Hunter's Heart." It's a collection of essays and articles from different writers. I don't know if I'd change the format of modern magazines (where else can we share that technical info on such a wide basis), but there should be more places for honest pieces of good writing. Maybe a spin-off magazine of hunting essays, literature, history, and art.

HighCountry; I've also read "A Hunter's Heart"- an incredible book. As for the Hill and Ford stories mentioned above, I quickly found both online at my library and will have them in a few days- just a hint for those who want to see them w/out buying a book...

The most touching dog I personally knew wasn't even mine. This huge, happy lopus of a black Lab was the dog of a friend of mine. I knew them 14 years. The couple got into a horrible divorce battle, and the dog was left at home because he couldn't take care of it at the time.

One day the old grey-nosed boy got very listless, and quit eating. When the wife tried to get the ex to help, he was accusing her of getting him into trouble, since the Police told him to stay away, and did nothing.

That Lab laid down in the driveway and died, looking down the road for his master.

Dave,

There is a book by Charles (C.W.) Gusewelle called "The Rufus Chronicle: Another Autumn". This book is truly great and, if you've ever owned a dog (not just a bird dog) or lost a good friend, it is a must read.

My favorite book of all time is where the red fern grows by wilson wrals. it is heart breaking but has the joys that will make you laugh. if you do read it, finish it or you will not get the full meaning of the book.

Without question, without a doubt the very best outdoors short story is Cory Ford's "Road to Tinkhampton." Not only is it the best crafted it also is the best written...