Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Favorite retired shooting authors.

Nobody has mentioned Jeff Cooper , I really liked his "Last Page"
in G&A. I always went to that page first

Mike

When it comes to reloading and hunting with a guide's experience Bob Milek, Steve Timm, and John Barsness (not retired) have no peers. To have the experience passed on from a hunter's and guide's perspective is priceless. There are many greats that have come and gone. I really miss Bob's writing.

I miss Bob.

The names mentioned to date are not surprising. What is surprising though, is that no one has mentioned Pete Brown, Warren Page, Lucian Cary, Bob Nonte, John T. Amber and a few others.

Tom

Most of the guys here are younger than you and me, Tom!

While not exactly the same genre as most of those listed, I'd have to say Gene Hill. He was really able to set the stage and capture the moment of the experience at hand in his short stories.

Patrick F McManus always good for a laugh

Mike

Ken,

Most of the guys everywhere are younger than we are. However, there was considerable mention of Jack O'Connor, and rightly so, but not a single mention of Pete and Warren who were writing for his competitors at Sports Afield and Field and Stream. Amber and his great Gun Digest was going strong at the same time. I just found it a bit odd than no one mentioned them. Perhaps it is old age.

Tom

I really enjoyed Dean Grennell's writing style, but he wasn't much of a hunter.
One not mentioned, and probably not known much outside of PA is Don Lewis. I devoured everything he wrote as I was growing up.

+1 on Bob Milek

Ken, I've always heard Bob was a fine fellow.

No writer has entertained me more than Gene Hill. Robert Ruark is also a favorite.

john wootters was my all time favorite...
i gravitated strongly towards sitton's stuff... so much like page, at least the way i remember him...

the day of the outdoor writer has certainly changed... here at the fire there's quite a few who's word count, written for public consumption, far surpasses that of many of the old time writers....
the value of their writings varies...
some is quite good, and i'm not taking into consideration the paid writers who spend time here...

While I'm unfamiliar with many of the authors listed, and plan to work on that situation, about a month ago I did read "Hell I was there" by Elmer Keith. I really enjoyed every page of that book.

I've edited the writings of several of the icons who're listed here, and I've known several of 'em pretty well personally, so my opinions of their admirability are definitely biased and often at odds with the opinions of those who've only read their stuff.

For wisdom, field experience, and literary excellence, few if any old-time outdoor writers were the equal of Archibald Rutledge � and none better. Even the Nobel committee came within one vote of granting him their award the year when they chose William Faulkner instead.

I liked Ted Trueblood, too.

Even re-reading stories I've read many times before I find myself laughing out loud to Pat's stuff.

If you haven't read Gordon McQuarrie, you have missed out....

Clair Rees

The story about the row of naked boys catching the red-hot stove pipe that was falling into their laps is one of the all-time greats.

Dead, is not the same thing as retired.

I used to love Parting Shot, by Dick Wolf at the end of every Guns and Ammo for years. Last letter I got from him indicated that he'd simply run out of material and everything was starting to sound similar. I loved his stuff.

Dan