McCracken Joins Sporting Classics
Emma M. McCracken has recently joined the Sporting Classics team as its new Assistant Editor – Digital and will oversee production of Sporting Classics Daily e-newsletter, along with other aspects of Sporting Classics’ digital channels. McCracken is an MA of English...
Origin Of Catch-And-Release
While attending an outdoor writers conference in Johnson City, Tennessee, I spotted a tall, distinguished gentleman in the crowd whom I immediately recognized from TV and print. I introduced myself and within 30 seconds of our handshake, I felt as if this fishing icon...
Pappy’s Pistols
Black magic, junk pistols and lessons learned thereby. Pappy was county coroner 36 years; an elected position. It didn’t pay much, but he got to keep all the murder and suicide guns, and he was the only man who could arrest the sheriff, which he did when the new...
Neil “Gobbler” Cost (1923-2002): King Of Turkey Callmakers
With the death of Neil Cost on May 29, 2002, at the age of 78, the turkey hunting world lost the most renowned of all callmakers. I was also fortunate enough to personally know this extraordinarily skilled craftsman whose callmaking earned him national acclaim and to...
Winter Weather Wisdom
My Grandpa Joe was chock full of weather-related wisdom. For example, about this time of year, whenever a premature warm spell hinted at a change in the seasons, he would opine: “A fellow can’t trust spring. It tends to be mighty fittified.” He knew, by dint of long...
Tooth & Claw: A Valentine’s Tale Of Love And Shame
“This is going to be the day! The best Valentine’s Day ever!” I yelled as I entered the room, breaking up the hunting video game marathon in progress. “Look alive, boys, I’ve finally done it: the perfect gift!” The youngest boy shook his head and didn’t even glance...
Sweet Soul of the Smokies
Maggie “Aunt Mag” Williams (1863-1961) In the halcyon days of childhood, most of us had the distinct privilege, although we might not have recognized it at the time, of being in close contact with older folks who merited the description of being “a genuine character.”...
Brays Island Plantation Completes Remarkable Renovation to Historic Inn
The Inn and Carriage House at Brays Island Plantation reopened following a six-month renovation. The circa-1930 brick Georgian-style mansion, along with an adjacent carriage house, serves as a landmark property of the 5,500-acre residential sporting community situated...
Dream Homes: High Alpine Ranch
Sportsmen and women are connected by a desire to experience nature in all of its raw beauty; the cold rush of a babbling stream as trout sip fluttering mayflies, deer peacefully grazing in a green pasture, the sun reddening the sky as it rises up from the mountains at...
A Simple Way to Love a Dove
Discovering a new dove recipe, with wild hog as a substitute! Well, I sat out the opener of dove season this year. But I’m making plans to head up to Ranger Creek Ranch in Knox County the second weekend. From all accounts, dove numbers were excellent and shooting...