M.D. Johnson
Contributing Writer
M.D. Johnson is a contributing writer for Field & Stream. His full-time outdoor writing career began in 1992. Prior to that, he worked with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife in their Outdoor Skills Unit, helping to coordinate hunter education courses and resources across the state. Together with his wife, Julia, who is a photographer, he’s authored six books on the outdoors, along with serving as a writer, editor, public-relations representative and consultant for several outdoor manufacturers, including Hunter’s Specialties, Winchester, and Avery Outdoors.
Highlights
- Focus includes waterfowl, wild turkeys, outdoor skills, and freshwater fishing
- Past award recipient from the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers
- Toggles between print and online outdoor editorial coverage regularly
Experience
Since beginning his outdoor-writing stint in ’92, Johnson’s byline has appeared in over 50 publications, including Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Fur-Fish-Game, Ducks Unlimited, GRIT, American Frontiersman, and Wildfowl.
He prides himself on being an all-around outdoorsman and writer, not specializing in any one pursuit. He can run the gamut from late-season mallards to canning wild game, dehydrating mushrooms, and achieving success using the barter system.
Johnson has filmed television shows with the likes of Cabela’s, turkey hunting video segments with Mark Drury’s MAD Calls, and presented hunting seminars for the O’Loughlin Sportsmen’s Show in the Pacific Northwest.
Education
Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in magazine Journalism and English from Ohio University in 1986. Today, he serves as a substitute teacher at his local Wahkiakum High School in Cathlamet, Washington, just a couple miles from where he and his wife make their home.
F&S Lightning Round
Favorite Critter to Hunt: Greenwing teal,
Bucket List Adventure: Sandhill cranes over decoys in Saskatchewan with Tony Vandemore,
Best Outdoor Advice: “I’ll stay here and wait. You wander off that way. Squirrels can’t count, so he won’t know I’m still here.” —My father, Mick, formulating a plan to waylay a fox squirrel that had seen us and gone into hiding. It worked,
Favorite Piece of Gear: Swiss Army Knife. Gift from my brother, Richard, for Christmas in 1979. I carry it every single day and have since.,
Favorite F&S Story: “Fishing for Grace in the Age of Social Distancing” by Bill Heavey
Notable Work
- Best Muzzleloaders of the Year Field & Stream
- Why You Should Keep Carp, and How to Use Them Field & Stream
- Best Duck Calls of the Year Field & Stream