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It’s cold as (you supply the word or words which come to
mind, since it seems no matter where one lives there are
similes related to both heat and cold) here. The first real
winter we’ve had, and I for one welcome it because it
reduces the numbers of bothersome insects in the spring not
to mention dealing with wasps and yellow jackets in
meaningful fashion. It’s a great time for books and reading,
along with things like browsing catalogs or going to
sporting shows and exhibitions.
I can remember, from boyhood, the considerable joy we all
experienced when a new Sears & Roebuck catalog arrived, and
it would be the source over avid browsing, wishful thinking,
and once in a while an actual order, right through the fall
and winter. For example, my first shotgun, a little 20 gauge
Savage Model 220A 20 gauge, choked tighter than the Pope’s
purse strings and with the kick of a healthy mule, came from
that source. I still have it.
How our world has changed. You can’t order a gun through the
mail or even the Internet any more without jumping through
lots of hoops, most of them of a federal nature, and I fear
it is only going to get worse. Thankfully I don’t live in
New York. I don’t even own a platform rifle of any kind, but
they have valid uses in my view and I’ve enjoyed shooting
them on occasion. Incidentally, one of the biggest sports
shows in the country, held in Harrisburg, Pa., has banned
AR-15s and similar guns at this year’s show. Even worse, the NSSF is supporting this stance and I’ve heard rumors the NRA
plans to go along as well. Enough of that though, if I keep
it up I’ll be wasting steam going out of my ears which is
needed for internal heat.
Turning to better things, elsewhere in this special
supplement you’ll find some interesting news about a new
book commentary I’ll be doing a couple of times a week for
“Sporting Classics Daily.” I hope those of you who hunt and
fish, and that’s a lot of you, will
check it out.
Also, feel
free to ask questions that you think might be of general
interest. I may not write about them in the newsletter but I
do intend to try and answer everyone. After all, Jack
O’Connor found time to do just that, by mail no less, when
he was Gun Editor at Outdoor Life over all those
years.
Beyond that, I wanted to let the turkey hunters among you know that I’ll
be at the
National Wild Turkey Federation convention in Nashville for
the whole time (Feb. 15-17), and I’d love to see anyone who plans to
attend. If you want a book or books I’d be glad to bring them along as
well. Just let me know what you are interested in by e-mail and we’ll
set up a time and place to meet (a couple of folks have kindly agreed to
let me use their booths as a place to make connections if needs be).
Also, I’ve got an extensive list of “one-of-a-kind” turkey books along
with a number of special offerings. If you would like to look at the
list,
just e-mail me and I’ll send it along.
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Jim
Casada Becomes Book Expert
for Sporting Classics Daily
Jim Casada
is a familiar name among the circles of outdoorsmen and
women who have been reading good sporting literature for the
past few decades. He has written more than 3,500 magazine
and newspaper articles on hunting, fishing, firearms,
conservation and other outdoor-related topics, as well as
several books.
For those of
you who don’t know Jim, he was born in Bryson City, North
Carolina, where he spent a boyhood replete with hunting and
fishing adventures. After receiving his B.A. in history from
King College and an M.A. in British history from Virginia
Tech, Jim earned his Ph. D. in British imperial history from
Vanderbilt University. Upon retiring from a distinguished
career as a professor at Winthrop College, he devoted
himself full-time to outdoor communications.
When I came
to Sporting Classics, Jim was one of the first
(outside of the office) to welcome me aboard. I’d read his
words for years as they continuously fueled my dream of
working in this field. Much like Jim, I wore out copies of
outdoor magazines and books when I wasn’t roaming the
hardwoods of southern Tennessee.
Through
phone conversations and e-mails, we communicated until
meeting in person this past fall. He and his wife Ann
welcomed me into their world with open arms. Five minutes
after shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, Jim taught
me how to turn a cocktail straw into a turkey call – the
same style as a wingbone. This isn’t bad company, I
thought. Later we shared our love for music with guitar in
hand and a little added courage to belt the high notes. Our
connection has only grown stronger since.
So, it is
without further adieu that I’d like to introduce Jim Casada
as the Sporting Classics Daily book expert. From
Africana to upland game, Jim will provide a wide range of
timeless classics for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy and
cherish in the years to come.
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