Roger Pinckney, who wrote the immensely popular “Horizons” column for Sporting Classics, died on April 3 from complications after a fall at his home on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina. He was 77.
Pinckney wrote his first story, entitled “Big Empty Encounter,” for the March/April 1999 issue of the magazine. In the years following, he authored more than 30 other articles, most of them devoted to his hunting and fishing experiences throughout North America.
Born in Beaufort, South Carolina, Pinckney was a toddler when he first arrived at Daufuskie with his father who was the town’s coroner. Many years later, Roger decided to relocate in Alaska but only got as far as Minnesota, where he built a log cabin and lived off the land. He remained in the North Woods for 15 years where he started his own family. In the years to come, Pinckney would have three more wives and raise five children.
Roger Pinckney and retired U.S. Navy Captain Eddie Bellamy with a Low Country whitetail.
Pinckney eventually moved back to Daufuskie in 2010, and married Amy, his fourth wife. He derived endless joy in raising his two stepsons, Rhys and Rhett, who joined him on numerous fishing and hunting excursions in South Carolina’s Low Country.
In his Horizons column, entitled “Wintersong” published in the fall of 2022, Pinckney wrote: “And Rhys and Rhett, I rescued you and your momma from suburban Houston. I broke you both in on a Red Ryder BB gun, then on .22s and finally on centerfire rifles and shotguns. Rhett, you were a dead shot and Rhys, you became a tolerable hunter, and I still have the rack from your first whitetail on my curio table, a nice even eight. I’d expect that from two boys with Alamo blood. Yeah, and your great-great uncle Gus rode with Buffalo Bill, too.”
Uncle Gus Uhl, second from right in middle row, poses with other cowboys in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.
Over his career, Pinckney wrote 12 books on a variety of fascinating subjects. Several of his most popular books, including Reefer Moon, Blow the Man Down and Washed in the Blood, were published by Evening Post Books.
A special Celebration of Life will be held, but the specific time and place has yet to be determined.
