The great outdoor writer Robert Ruark wrote many a Hunting tale that inspired my generation of Hunters. “The Old Man and the Boy,” is the great work of Ruark that established the idea of the Adult Mentor Passing on the way of the Natural World to the accepting youth. The written word of the outdoor writer is not lost here among the next generation, but it is rare.
We all like Hunting and Fishing videos, some are exciting and informative, others are just plain trash. The written word tells the story of adding the emotion of the moment, the thrill of the chase and high adventure, as silent music to the mind. This is what makes the imagination of the reader see himself within the paragraphs of the story. The question is advanced to the reader as the thought is inspired, “Now why don’t I go do that?”
The Robert Ruark Society looks for such individuals, of which I’m a humble member. To be a real outdoor writer you have to know what your talking about and of course, no one knows everything. With me, I cover a lot of subjects you have only seen a few but more is to come I promise you.
The writer takes on the mood of the moment, writing about the inspiration of the moment, with the knowledge that he/she won’t please everyone. Its like that in any communication art. This is why we as Americans we have freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Frankly, if you don’t like what I write, don’t read it. If this offends you, they have a safe space at Berkley just for you.
For the new writers like Carly and Lacy, I’m sure your quite familiar with them by now. I didn’t pick them because they are both gorgeous, it was simply because they knew what they were talking about. I was sure they would be instant outdoor writer stars because they have something special. Yes, they were both shy about it.
I remember the first time I was published about thirty years ago. It was a thrilling experience. The people liked it so I lost my shyness. Years later I won a couple of first place writer awards and suddenly I found others get jealous quickly. I didn’t have anything to prove so I never competed again, the readers either like it or not. I say to the new outdoor writers, never quit just do your thing and ….Pass it on.