June/July 2014 Archives - Outdoor Writers Association of America

Off the Record: Host an outdoor media networking event in your town

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 23:44:52 +0000

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BY PAUL QUENEAU
Chatting over beers has likely generated more business in the outdoor media profession than any other activity, indoors or out. OWAA recognized this from its inception and has always served up a cocktail of mingling opportunities at its
annual conferences.
As simple as that might be, these chances to hobnob remain a top reason many members return to conference year after year, stay involved in between and send in their annual dues.
So why leave face-to-face networking as a once-a-year event? We outdoor communicators often live in outdoorsy places that attract other media professionals doing similar work, although our paths might not often cross. Why not invite those folks to sit down and have a beer?
With that in mind, two years ago we launched a gathering we call Off the Record, in Missoula, Montana. I’ve seen those that attend make new contacts that lead to selling articles and photos. While these aren’t recruitment events, its elevated awareness of OWAA in the town where headquarters is based and I’ve seen many of those who attend the monthly gatherings join OWAA.
Off the Record is now spreading to another of Montana’s outdoor epicenters — Bozeman — thanks to the efforts of Tom Sadler and a dedicated new OWAA member named Jesse Bussard.
And it wouldn’t be hard to launch a similar event in your community.
Staging an Off the Record is simple.
First, gather the emails of everyone you can think of working in outdoor media in your area. Pick the most gregarious and well-connected contacts and email them about what you’re planning and for additional names of people to invite. Ask anyone who is particularly enthusiastic to help brainstorm and plan the event. It will get them more invested in its success and the more people that take pride in a good event, the better.
Next consult the mastheads of outdoor publications produced in your area and local newspapers, TV and radio stations. Think about local authors, professional photographers and agency and nonprofit communications people.
When you are ready to send out an email invite, consult the example we’ve provided with this story. You can fly the invite under the flag of OWAA while keeping it clear that it is simply a chance to hobnob and share war stories, not a formal recruitment event.
It can be tough to find emails for everyone, but consult their websites or ask friends who might have contact info. We are lucky to have a university with a journalism program in town. We invited Nadia White, an outdoor writer who is also a professor in the University of Montana’s School of Journalism. She’s used Off the Record as a good excuse for her grad students to sit down together and have a beer. That inspired them to launch an OWAA student chapter at UM.
Decide your desired frequency for the event, whether you’d like to aim for it to be a quarterly or monthly gathering, or simply a one-time event. OWAA staff will happily provide an email list of the members in your area to include in your invite.
Now consider the ideal location. It helps to choose a watering hole that sells beer by the pitcher, one that is somewhat quiet to allow for conversations, and where you can be sure you’ll have room to pull together some tables to accommodate your crowd. If you are concerned attendees might not know who to look for when they arrive, OWAA headquarters can email you a PDF file for a tri-fold you can print out on cardstock with “Off the Record” easily identifiable in large print.
Talk to the bar owner beforehand to let them know of your plans and to see how they might best accommodate your group. Our attendance has varied from only a few people to more than 40. If they try to rent you a separate space, make it clear it’s a free event and it will get them good business from the best-known and most respected outdoor storytellers in your area. Don’t be afraid to drop some names of local personalities you think will attend. It won’t hurt your cause if they feel it’s a high profile group with names they recognize.
In Missoula we’ve found our best turnout typically comes on nights with a presenter. Think about having a designated speaker to kick the night off with a 15-30 minute talk or slideshow on a professional subject. Once again, it helps if that
person is at least locally well-known and respected, with a good story or pertinent subject to tell about. It also provides a can’t-miss hook so people won’t put off coming out until the next gathering. Just remember the venue must be quiet enough for the audience to hear and keep it short with plenty of time for casual conversations. Hobnobbing is cornerstone of these events and your audience may begin to scatter if it stays too serious for too long.
Be prepared to buy the first couple of pitchers and if you are willing, say it is compliments of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. If the Excellence in Craft contests, John Madson Fellowship or Bodie Mcdowell Scholarship deadlines are approaching, these can be great to mention to get people interested in OWAA, as can the national conference. But be absolutely sure not to make it a hard-sell situation — this isn’t a formal recruitment event but merely
a reason to get together and at the same time raise awareness about the existence of OWAA. People will avoid the gathering if they feel pressured by it.
The most important thing is to keep it low-stress, informal and fun.
That’s the nuts and bolts of it. Take a few images of the gathering to send into OWAA headquarters to be shared on Facebook.
It’s impossible to know all good that can come of an informal get-together until you try. You might leave with a new assignment, story idea, or the name of a potential OWAA member.
[box]

Sample Off the Record email invite

You are invited to Off the Record, a one-of-a-kind gathering of [TOWN-NAME]’s finest outdoor writers, photographers and other media-creators on [DATE AND TIME], at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS].
The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), a national organization based in Missoula, will buy the first few pitchers.
So come down, drink some beer, enjoy the good company and chat about our evolving field of outdoor storytelling. And please spread the word to anyone else you think would be interested in attending.[/box]
— For the past 11 years, Paul Queneau has worked as an editor for Bugle magazine at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Missoula, Montana. He is also a freelance writer and photographer with credits in Outdoor Life, Montana Quarterly and others.
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Putting tension in your writing

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 23:37:42 +0000

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BY CHRISTINE PETERSON
All good stories need a beginning, middle and end. I know it sounds simple, but bear with me.
In newswriting in particular, we focus on the current issue or topic. We write stories about a bighorn sheep trapping, a fire or tips for catching that big brown trout. Putting the news out is important. But in our haste to cover a topic or event, we sometimes miss the story.
Stories are not only what hook people, but what ultimately reel them in. You need to convince readers at the beginning that they want to know how it ends. Building a little bit of drama or tension in your writing is one of the best ways to keep someone going.
Don’t make anything up, of course, or create drama where there isn’t any. But more often than not, where there are people, there is a problem that must be solved.
Find the human, and then the story: In early 2012, a press release came out addressing new falconry regulations. I hadn’t written about falconry, so called around to judge the significance of the changes. On one of those calls, I heard about a man living in the middle of the prairie outside of my town in Wyoming who hunts with golden eagles. I knew I needed to go hunting with him. Only a fraction of falconers in the country have eagle permits.
I’d found my person, and figured the story would include color from the hunt, and maybe tell readers by the end if the bird caught anything. The longer we spent together, the more I realized his relationship to the wild creature was the story. It wouldn’t be about a regulation change or even an interesting person, but about whether a man can convince a wild bird that it’s better off with him than without.
Outline: Back to the beginning, middle and end. When you start writing, know where you want to go. Figure out how you want to lead readers to the climax and conclusion, ensuring they will follow you until your last words. It will keep you true to the story you want to tell.
Don’t give away too much too early: Be careful with this one. You want people to know what the story is about, but you also want to keep them guessing. Present the problem your character faces early so readers know what is at stake. In the falconry story, I ended the first section as he released his bird for the first time in more than a year to look for a rabbit. At that point, the bird was free to go. Readers had to keep going to find out if the eagle returned.
Use time elements: Whether you tell the story through seasons, years, months, days, hours or minutes, give readers a sense of time. Let them know something important is coming soon.
Vary sentence lengths: Short sentences can convey a sense of urgency. Mixed with longer sentences, they move readers forward in the same rhythm you would tell a friend a story over a drink or dinner.
Only use details that move the story along: Sometimes we tend to over describe. We want readers to see what we saw, and in the process we muddle a storyline. Details are what move a story, but be sure to only use ones that help your chosen topic. What boots the falconer was wearing would be less relevant than, say, the thickness of the glove he wore to hold the bird.
Use quotes and dialogue with purpose: Nothing moves a person through a scene better than a quick conversation between two characters or a well-placed quote. Readers want to hear a person in his or her own words, not just the writer’s. Conversely, nothing stops a scene like a long, wordy, explanatory quote. As writers, we can often phrase an idea clearer and with more precision than our subject. Look for quotes, like details, that create a clearer image of who your subject is and what your story is about.
— Christine Peterson has spent the past four years tracking wolves, camping with Peruvian sheepherders and catching any fish that will bite for the Casper Star-Tribune, Wyoming’s statewide newspaper. When she’s not chasing stories, she can be found running or wrangling her 2-year old Labrador.
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Protecting your property: The art of copyrighting your art

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 23:25:39 +0000

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BY TIM FLANIGAN
We know scoundrels exist. We lock our cars, we install security systems and we turn on lights to prevent them from taking our possessions.
We also need to protect our creative property — our photographs, art and articles — a feat that can be challenging, but especially important in the Internet age.
Posting photos and artwork on the Internet is like baiting the constantly prowling predators of the cyber world. Cyber thieves pounce upon unprotected works and use them as their own. This is especially true of photographs. Unscrupulous designers from all corners of the Earth are constantly searching for and stealing unique photos for their own commercial purposes.
Although it is commonly understood that the artist or photographer is the holder of that copyright, and that the work cannot be legally used by another without permission, it is important that viewers of the work be reminded of that fact. Your photographs need a “No Trespassing” sign or a lock.
Embedding a copyright notice into a photo destined for display on the Internet is an absolute necessity and it’s easy to do.
First: Most modern Digital Single Lens Reflex, or DSLR, cameras offer an option to embed a copyright notice into the image’s metadata file at the moment the shutter is released and the image captured. This notice must be programmed into the camera itself by the photographer. That option is found in the camera’s “Menu” and the procedure is fairly simple. Consult your camera’s manual for instructions.
Second: An additional © Copyright notice can, and should, be embedded into the image files upon downloading them into Photoshop or Lightroom. Photoshop users can select the “advanced” radio button on the Bridge download box and select the box noted as “Copyright,” click the “Copyright” option and then input a custom copyright notice such as: © Copyright, John J. Smith, 2014, All Right Reserved. The copyright notice should also be included in all metadata keyword templates that you may create and attach to images.
Third: Images destined for display online must be downsized to a computer-friendly viewing dimension of 72 dots per inch, or dpi, which is an industry standard. Larger files may be posted and viewed online, but the small 72 dpi, files provide a minor bit of protection from copying to printable size files. (Be aware that software programs exist to interpolate pixels and gradually upsize images to high quality so sizing is not enough protection). It is important to avoid
auto-downsizing options such as Photoshop’s “Save for Web and Devices” tool. It is easy to use, but it strips the metadata from the image. Bye-bye copyright notice. Rather, manually resize all images destined for online display. A standard online image size is 72 dpi and no more than 600 pixels on the long side.
Fourth: Place an obvious © Copyright notice, with your name and website, directly upon to the image. This obvious copyright notice cannot be easily removed, but it can be cloned out by a skilled Photoshop user. For that reason, it should be strategically placed to cover some portion of the image’s main subject to complicate cloning and discourage misuse of the image. It also direct viewers to your website.

Instructions for creating a custom, one-click, © Copyright brush in Photoshop

On the upper task bar, click> New
In the window/box that opens, set the dimensions to “inches.”
Input a width of 6 inches and height of 2 inches. Size is optional.
Set the resolution to 300 DPI.
In the “Background Contents” window, select “Transparent” from the drop-down menu.
Click> OK to open the new document window. It will appear in 6×2 inch dimensions.
Select the “T” Text tool.
Select the center option on the upper task bar. Center the cursor and the type your notice.
To apply the © symbol; hold down the Alt key and type 0169 in the number pad.
Type your name, studio name, URL, etc. after the © symbol.
Click out of the Type tool.
Click “Edit” on the upper task bar and in the drop-down menu, click “Define brush presets.”
In the window that opens you may name the brush and click “OK.”
Your new Copyright brush is instantly added to the brush panel.
To apply the custom brush, simply click on it in the brush panel and then hover the cursor over an open image to see the brush in preview. At that time, you may select the font style, size, color, opacity and placement of the brush. TIP: The brush is easily resized via the keyboard bracket keys.
The brush color can be quickly switched from the standard black or white by tapping the X key or converted to any color via the color picker option. Any color within the image may be selected by selecting the eyedropper tool and then clicking the eyedropper onto the desired brush color such as the red of a cock pheasant’s eye patch.
Click the left mouse button to apply the copyright brush to your image.
If you prefer to watch a tutorial, go to YouTube and search “creating a copyright brush” or “creating a watermark in Photoshop.”

— Tim Flanigan is an award winning, Pennsylvania-based freelance outdoor writer/photographer and a proud member of OWAA since 1996. He and his wife operate Nature Exposure, a freelance writing/photography business. You can view his work at www.natureexposure.com.
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On assignment: Taking your kids to work

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 23:15:29 +0000

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BY JEFF ALT
It’s summer. The kids are out of school and you still have stories to pitch and write. But the great thing about being an outdoor communicator is that you can often bring the kids to work.
Both my children were only a few months old when my wife and I took them on their first hike. They’ve been hitting the trails with us ever since. We wanted to make sure our kids were exposed to the outdoors before they ever held a tablet or watched a television show, so they would always know they could have fun outside, hiking, splashing and running with friends and family. Another bonus, is that my job has evolved into a family affair and it makes going to work all the more fun.
Here’s how to introduce your kids to the outdoors so that everyone is excited for the next trip. While these are specifically for hiking, they apply to, or can be tweaked to fit, a variety of outdoor pursuits.
Start ‘em young: Ergonomically designed baby carriers make it easy and fun to carry your infant and toddler with you wherever you hike.
Let the kids lead: Follow the leader. Hike at your child’s pace and distance. Whatever your child takes interest in, stop and explore that bug, leaf or rock with them. Getting to the destination is less important than making sure your kids have fun.
Count down to the adventure: Psych the kids up with pictures, videos, websites and highlights of the places they will go and the things they will see.
Suit up in comfort, style and the latest technology: Take this checklist with you shopping so you get the bases covered:

Footwear: Until your kids are walking consistently on their own (birth to 3 years old), fit them with a comfortable pair of water resistant shoes. Make sure the three and older kids are wearing lightweight trail shoes or boots with a sturdy sole. A Vibram sole with a waterproof breathable liner is preferred. Wear non-cotton, moisture wicking, synthetic or wool socks.
Clothing: Dress for the weather. Wear non-cotton synthetic, wool and fleece clothes and dress in layers. Wear multipurpose clothes like pants that zip off into shorts or shirts with roll-up sleeves. Pack a waterproof breathable rain parka. Dress for the season with a fleece hat and gloves or a hat with a wide brim for sun protection.
Packs: Get age and size appropriate backpacks that fit each hiker comfortably.
Trekking Poles: Get a pair of adjustable, collapsible poles with an ergonomically designed handle for each person — kids and adults.
Fresh, clean water: You can get a hydration hose system for your pack or just use bottles. Disinfect wild water using high-tech portable treatment water systems such as a UV wand or micro-straining filter.

Communication: Bring a smartphone so you can take lots of pictures and if there’s connectivity, email to family or upload to your blog or Facebook page. Carry a GPS unit to keep you located on the trail and for geocaching.
Bring water and food kids love: Hand out snacks and water as needed on the trail. Pack their favorite snacks and bring plenty of water. Stop often for a drink and a snack.
Pack fun items: Let young children fill their adventure pack with a bug catcher, magnifying glass, binoculars, a camera, a map and compass, whistle, or flashlight. Let your little adventurer take ownership and pack a few items of his own.
Play games and bring a friend: Play “I Spy” as you walk along, create a scavenger hunt, make up rhymes, and sing songs as you walk. Pack along a plant and animal identification guide for your older child. Let your social butterfly bring a friend. Intrigue your computer savvy child with the high-tech hiking gadgets like GPS, headlamp flashlights and pedometers. Use your GPS and take your kids on a geocaching adventure.
Take advantage of park activities and guided nature experiences: Utilize and enjoy the amazing services and resources offered by our parks, trail and recreational system and associations.
Don’t forget: Pediatrician recommended suntan lotion and bug repellent. A first aid kit. Bring a compass and map and brush up on how to use them. Learn how to make a shelter to keep you warm and dry. Keep matches and a lighter in a dry place and know how to make a fire to keep warm. Carry a whistle and a signal mirror in case you get lost. Pack a survival knife with a locking blade. Bring a head lamp flashlight, extra batteries, 50 feet of rope or twine, and always have several feet of duct tape for that unexpected repair.
Write about it: If you aren’t already out on assignment, think about pitching a story about your family adventure, whether it’s about photography, fishing, hunting or some other outdoor pursuit. If it involves kids in the outdoors, it might be worth your while to pitch your family trip or adventure to travel publications, parenting or family magazines. You could even pitch a story about getting out with kids to outdoor publications for which you regularly contribute.
— Jeff Alt is an award-winning author, keynote speaker and hiking expert. Alt is the author of “Get Your Kids Hiking,” “A Walk for Sunshine,” about the Appalachian Trail and a forthcoming book: “Four Boots One Journey” about the
John Muir Trail. Talk to him about speaking at your next event at jeff@jeffalt.com. You can also visit his website: www.jeffalt.com.
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OWAA will continue to grow with new leadership

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 23:07:22 +0000

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BY MARK FREEMAN
After I won the Newspaper Section category of the Excellence in Craft contests in 2010, the Outdoor Writers Association of America’s Board of Directors voted to no longer hold that contest, figuring it clearly had run its course.
Later that conference, I tossed my hat in the ring as a third vice president candidate and the board chose to disband that seat rather than risk me winning.
So when I won the second vice president seat in Alaska in 2012 to put me in line to be OWAA’s new president, everyone was concerned that the Mayans clearly must be right.
In the end, the Mayans were right. But they didn’t predict the end of the world just a month after my election. What they predicted was change.
We’ve had plenty of positive change within OWAA the past few years and I sought the presidency to ensure these positive steps keep this fabulous organization moving forward.
I’m a lifelong newspaper guy, breaking in as an environmental and crime reporter before moving to my paper in Medford, Oregon, as an outdoors/environmental reporter in 1989. I’m in my 26th year without ever seeking any kind of promotion.
Other than my local gym, OWAA is the only thing I belong to. We are the only ones who understand that fishing or hunting or skiing for work is enormously fun and gratifying — but it’s still work. We are the only ones who understand what it takes to be one of us-an outdoor communicator.
My first conference was in 1993 in Portland, Oregon, during the heyday of this organization. In the ensuing years, I’ve seen our industry and organization change immensely.
We’ve evolved from predominantly hook-and-bullet writing with a largely regional environmental presence to a big tent with all sorts of disciplines and media. I broke in writing on carbon paper and a manual typewriter. Now I’m writing, shooting video, tweeting and blogging.
It’s fantastic.
As are many of the changes OWAA’s experienced during my seven years on the board and as an officer. While I’m not responsible for these changes, I ran for president because I support them and want to cultivate them to grow. They keep us relevant in the 21st century and help us adapt to changing needs of outdoor communicators in this news, faster-paced world.
One of the biggest changes is the hiring of our no-longer-new executive director, Tom Sadler. With marketing savvy, Sadler has helped address some of the major needs we asked him to when we hired him on, of all days, April 1, 2013. Sadler reversed some of the membership trends that have dogged us in recent years. Last year we saw the first net positive change in supporters and membership categories since 2002.
I want to see and help that continue. I helped Matt Miller lead the Strategic Plan Committee that created a living document to guide us by spelling out specific goals and concrete targets that measure our improvements and successes. I want to see that plan stay vibrant and relevant for OWAA through my time.
Colleen Miniuk-Sperry has launched a Membership Services Committee that is working to meet the needs of new and long-standing members. I want to ensure an OWAA environment that sees her young and vibrant committee continue its work to help you.
Katie McKalip is now the new Supporting Group Liaison, bringing supporters’ voices to the board at all levels. This is a long-needed addition and McKalip is the perfect person to set the tone for how this position interacts and influences the board for years to come.
Thanks to our revamped membership qualifications, we’ve got new portals into OWAA for bloggers, media representatives and others. I want to see these fledgling committees and groups keep enough board support to see just what they can accomplish when they spread their wings.
One of the gripes I’ve heard for years from past presidents is that one year isn’t long enough, that they need more time to usher ideas into reality.
We don’t need longer presidential terms. We need presidents to help shepherd the good ideas forward, not run full-speed with a competing agenda.
I want my tenure on this board to mean something. I want to see the efforts and ideas of our talented and committed OWAA members and supporters to continue to grow in the positive arc we all witnessed in McAllen, Texas.
Let’s prove the Mayans right about OWAA. We’re alive, well and improving every day.
— OWAA President Mark Freeman
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Staying relevant in the digital age

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 22:57:46 +0000

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One of the challenges of writing a column for Outdoors Unlimited is the lag time between writing it and getting it to you. I am writing this in April for the June/July issue. Makes it tough to be timely or respond to events that happen between those months.
As OWAA’s executive director I feel strongly about staying in touch with our members and supporters. Hearing from you helps make OWAA stronger. But it is a two-way street. You need to hear from us.
We at headquarters work hard to keep you informed about the many things that are going on at OWAA; we use mail, our website OWAA.org, email, Outdoor Unlimited and OU Online. We also use social networking platforms like Facebook (OWAAOnline), Twitter (@OWAAonline and @OWAATom) and LinkedIn (Outdoor Writers Association of America).
At the end of March we started a new communications outlet called the Executive Director’s Blog. Its purpose is to share things about OWAA that will promote more interaction with OWAA’s members and supporters. It is intended to serve as a sounding board, billboard and forum for ideas. It will be a place to share observations and news in a timelier manner. It is intentionally not password protected so those who are interested in OWAA have a chance to learn
more about us.
Your team at headquarters is committing more time to our social network platforms and is looking at ways to make them more informative, engaging and useful. Social networks, while sometimes insipid and occasionally off-putting, are sources of good information, interesting ideas and opportunities to share in a community of thought. If you use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn please let us know so we can add you into the OWAA network.
Our conference in May showed us how outdoor communicators, the outdoor industry and conservation organizations play an essential role in the well-being of our country. Our outdoor recreation heritage lead to a vibrant outdoor recreation industry, an appreciation for responsible management of our fish, game and the places they live and prosper, and for conserving those places we go to just be outside.
As communicators we have the opportunity to share that story with the American people. To help them see, hear, smell, taste and appreciate what the outdoors is about. We are at the nexus of content and craftsmanship. OWAA is committed to connecting both with all the tools at our disposal. Thank you for being a part of that work.
— OWAA Executive Director Tom Sadler, tsadler@owaa.org
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Bookshelf

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 20:13:45 +0000

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Land of the Bear: Siberian Campfires

By Denny Geurink
Strategic Book Publishing, www.dgoa.com/, paperback, 276 pp., 60 photographs, eight illustrations; $18.
What’s the wildest, most outrageous type of adventure you can imagine? Can you top “road hunting” from a Russian army tank in Siberia? How about stalking red stag with the KGB on a Soviet naval base just a few miles from where Gorbachev was placed under house arrest during the 1991 coup attempt in the Soviet Union? Denny Geurink first traveled to the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since spent 23 years traveling around Siberia chasing bears, moose, wolves and other game. His book re-lives the adventures of that first trip.

Do It yourself Bonefishing

By Rod Hamilton with Kirk Deeter
The Derrydale Press; hardcover, 320 pp.; $29.95.
“Do It Yourself Bonefishing” is the authoritative guide written for DIY anglers targeting bonefish on the fly. Divided into easy-to-reference sections, this book will help you tackle the why, where, and how of self-guided bonefishing. Informed by 20 years of experience on the flats, Rod Hamilton and Kirk Deeter describe the allure of matching wits with one of fly-fishing’s most elusive targets and discuss the reasons why more and more fly-fishermen are seeking the challenge of catching bonefish without the aid of a guide. “DoIt Yourself Bonefishing” is packed with useful tips to help all levels of fly-fishermen locate and catch more of one of the world’s premier gamefish.

Central Florida Thoroughbreds: A History of Horses in the Heart of Florida

By Charlene R. Johnson
Globe Pequot Press, paperback, 176 pp., more than 75 images; $14.44.
Back in the 1940s, when Florida was the “Wild West” of the East, a few hearty souls dared to think they might compete with the finest, blue-blooded racehorses. Florida was the cracker cowboy state, and cowponies were expected. But the
scoffers failed to realize what the wealth of limestone, the power of warm sunshine year round and the cold, crystalline freshwater springs that are the gems of central Florida would mean to the raising of healthy, competitive animals. When the first thoroughbreds produced in Florida, admittedly small and scrappy, began to “outrun their pedigrees,” the nation of thoroughbred breeders had to take notice.

Adirondack: Life and Wildlife in the Wild, Wild East

By Edward Kanze
Excelsior Editions, an imprint of State University of New York Press, www.sunypress.edu; paperback, 212 pp., 30 black and white photographs; $19.95.
Born just north of New York City, Edward Kanze traveled as far as the wilds of Australia and New Zealand, working as a naturalist, park ranger, and nature writer, before finally settling in New York’s Adirondacks for the riskiest of all life’s
adventures: Marriage and children. “Adirondack” tells the story of how he and his wife Debbie bought a tumbledown house, rescued it from ruin, started a family and planted themselves deep in Adirondack soil. Along the way, he brings the unique history of this area to life by sharing stories of his ancestors, who have lived in the area for generations, and by offering captivating descriptions of the world around him. A keen observer, Kanze will charm readers with his tales of bears, birds and fluorescent mice.

Grizzlies on my Mind: Essays of Adventure, Love and Heartache from Yellowstone Country

By Michael W. Leach
West Winds Press; paperback, 282 pp.; $14.33.
What is it about Yellowstone National Park that draws millions of visitors from all over the world? Michael Leach explains it in his book of essays, “Grizzlies on My Mind.” Leach is a Yellowstone insider with unmatched passion for this nation’s first national park. At the age of 22, Leach’s dream of becoming a Yellowstone ranger came true. It wasn’t long before he’d earned the nickname “Rev” for his powerful Yellowstone “sermons.” In “Grizzlies on My Mind,” Leach shares his love for Yellowstone — its landscapes and wildlife, especially its iconic bison and grizzlies — as he tells tales that will delight anyone interested in the national park system, wildlife and wild landscapes, rivers and adventure.

Fifty Years of Deer-Stand Reflections, a Memoir of a Michigan Master Deer-Hunter

By Joe Lunkas
Strategic Books Publishing and Rites Agency, http://sbpra.com/JoeLunkas; soft cover, 154 pp.; $14.50.
Joe Lunkas is a master at his game. “Fifty Years of Deer-Stand Reflections, a Memoir of a Michigan Master Deer Hunter,” is the culmination of the author’s extraordinary experiences through the years hunting deer. His insightful stories strongly convey the lessons learned from his time spent on outdoor journeys in the deer woods. The healing and rejuvenating solitude, his thought-provoking remembrances, and the pure personal enjoyment experienced in the deer-stand can be rejoiced as sources of inspiration, satisfaction and success. The book will ignite the flame in the hearts of hunters, both newcomers and veterans of the sport, infusing a deep appreciation, respect and love for nature that is coalesced in hunting.

Fifty Years of Gathering, Fishing and Unusual Animal Encounters: Lessons Learned of a Michigan Outdoorsman

By Joe Lunkas
Strategic Books Publishing and Rites Agency, http://sbpra.com/JoeLunkas; paperback, 238 pp.; $16.50.
What would you give to pick the brain of someone who has more than 50 years of experience as an outdoorsman? What tantalizing and insightful information could you gain? The great outdoors comes alive in the second book of the “Fifty Years” trilogy by veteran hunter and outdoorsman Joe Lunkas. “Fifty Years of Gathering, Fishing, and Unusual Animal Encounters: Lessons Learned of a Michigan Outdoorsman” represents only part of the culmination of author Lunkas’ fascinating experiences over the past half century. This book will appeal to everyone who loves nature and the outdoors, including those who don’t hunt. The author encourages readers to evaluate and think about his messages and lessons learned, while considering his books to be their “silent outdoor companions.”

Day Hikes Around Big Sur (Second Edition)

By Robert Stone
Day Hike Books Inc.; paperback, 304 pp., 132 maps; $18.95.
This revised and updated edition of “Day Hikes Around Big Sur” includes 99 day hikes along the California Central Coast and the interior mountains. Hikes, which take from one hour to all day, range from easy beach strolls to strenuous mountain climbs with panoramic vistas. The diverse terrain is a hiker’s paradise with a well-designed trail system of more than 300 miles. Statistics, accurate driving and hiking directions, and numerous maps make these hiking adventures stress free. Dog admission information is included. Most trails can be accessed from Carmel Valley Road or Highway 1. Robert Stone has been writer, photographer, and publisher of Day Hike Books since 1991.

Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park (Fifth Edition)

By Robert Stone
Day Hike Books Inc.; paperback, 272 pp., 106 maps; $14.95.
Now in its 5th edition, “Day Hikes In Grand Teton National Park” includes a thorough selection of 89 day hikes throughout this national park and around the town of Jackson, Wyoming. The hikes include easy-to-follow directions and are organized by region, making the area accessible for everyone. The book offers hikes near the trailhead or ones that take you up thousands of feet in elevation through canyons that lead up to fantastic vantage points. The hikes range from well-known destinations (like Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake) to quiet, backcountry trails.

The complete book of Saltwater Fishing, Revised and Updated

By Milt Rosko
Burford Books, www.burfordbooks.com; paperback, 352 pp.; $19.95.
Here in a single volume is everything the saltwater angler needs to know, from a long-time saltwater authority. Milt Rosko covers the tackle you’ll need and how to use it, what baits and lures to select for different species, the 50 most sought-after saltwater gamefish and much more, including June Rosko’s favorite recipes for preparing the catch, notes on introducing kids to the world of saltwater fishing, and thoughts on important conservation issues that affect everyone who fishes the salt. This edition is revised and updated from the original 2001 publication, incorporating current trends in tackle, technique, and conservation.
Fishing the Great Lakes of New York: A guide to Lakes Erie and Ontarios, their tributaries and the Thousand Islands
By Spider Rybaak
Burford Books, www.burfordbooks.com; paperback, 224 pp.; $16.95.
Lakes Erie and Ontario, their tributaries, and the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River create the magical flow of New York’s north shore and the greatest freshwater fishery on the planet. The region boasts fish as impressive as they are numerous. Longtime local angling authority Spider Rybaak details everything the local or visiting angler needs to know, from access points, best fishing seasons, tackle tips, target-tailored fishing strategies and much more, for more than 100 specific spots in this unparalleled freshwater fishing paradise.

Just Keep Reeling

By Andy Whitcomb
self-published, e-book, 265 pp.; $4.99.
A collection of articles, columns, posts, and stories about fishing and the outdoors, written to inform, inspire, and above all, entertain. Andy Whitcomb is an avid angler, and “stressed out” father of two, currently chasing steelhead and smallmouth in Pennsylvania. He has a strong background in fisheries, having worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at Oklahoma State University, Iowa State University, and Michigan State University. This collection of his articles, columns, posts, and stories is available on amazon.com.
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Welcome to OWAA

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 20:01:43 +0000

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New Members

Bob Bramblet is the founder and a past president of the Southwest Florida Kayak Angler’s Association. Visit its website at www.swfkaa.com. Bramblet writes kayak fishing articles and reviews for several online resources and kayak fishing magazines such as Florida Sportsman magazine, YakAngler, KFC Tournament Trail Magazine and Kayak Angler Magazine. He can usually be found fishing his home-waters of Estero Bay or Pine Island Sound in Florida, where he has been fishing for over 20 years. Bramblet is a member of the Hobie Fishing Team, and is on the pro staff of Estero River Outfitters, Bending Branches and Columbia Sportswear.
A proud native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Matthew Copeland served a six year corporate sentence in Major Metro USA before finding his way home to Wyoming. He met, married and made a son with his wife in that open country and it’s got its claws in him. He worked for many years in outdoor education at The National Outdoor Leadership School and now spends most of his days fighting for the places we hunt, fish and recreate as an organizer for the National Wildlife Federation. Copeland co-produces StalkingTheSeam.com, a critically acclaimed digital outlet exploring the balance between parenting, happy home lives and passionate outdoor pursuits. His writing has appeared in Gray’s Sporting Journal, the Drake magazine, the Casper Star-Tribune and elsewhere. He’s a curious writer with eclectic interests who’s tackled a diverse collection of topics over the years, including the recurring themes of hunting, fishing and kids in nature.
Erin Merrill is a born and raised Mainer who got her first taste of hunting when she was 20 and rattled in a buck during deer season. After being interviewed by a fellow outdoor writer about being a 20-something woman getting into hunting, she decided to launch her website, www.andastrongcupofcoffee.com, and focus on writing about the challenges outdoor women face, her adventures learning the do’s and dont’s of hunting white-tailed deer, black bear, moose and turkey and issues that impact Maine and its hunting heritage. Merrill also writes for Northwoods Sporting Journal and Wide Open Spaces. She is on the board of Friends of Becoming an Outdoors-Woman in Maine, which aims to get more women out of their comfort zone and trying new outdoor activities. She is active on Twitter and Google+ and is thrilled to join the OWAA community.
Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Chris Paparo has been exploring the wilds of the island for over 30 years. As a wildlife photographer, writer and lecturer, he enjoys bringing public awareness to the wildlife that calls the island home. His passion for coastal ecology, fishing and the outdoors led him to obtain a degree in marine science from Southampton College of Long Island University. He manages the Marine Sciences Center at Stony Brook University. In addition to freelance writing for several fishing and wildlife related publications, Paparo writes the monthly Naturalist’s Logbook column for the New York and New Jersey edition of On The Water magazine. Although his work tends to focus on marine life, everything in the natural world is fair game. Paparo is a licensed general class falconer, currently flying a female red-tailed hawk named Emmy. To follow Paparo’s adventures, follow him on Facebook and Twitter at Fish Guy Photos or by visiting his website at www.fishguyphotos.com.
Communications specialist Ryan Roberts serves at the communications coordinator for the National Fish Habitat Partnership. He is employed by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies in Washington, D.C. as a liaison for several committees and work groups related to fisheries and ocean policy as well as angler and boating participation. Born in Pennsylvania, Roberts is an avid fly-fisherman and grew up near some of the best eastern U.S. waters, including Spruce Creek and the Little Juniata River. Roberts helped launch the “10 Waters to Watch” campaign that highlights restoration projects implemented through the National Fish Habitat Partnership. Roberts also developed social media platforms for the partnership and manages day-to-day communications for the vast network of growing partnerships. Because of his communication efforts, partnership projects have been featured in several magazines and newspapers,
both locally and across the country.
Stephanie M. Salinas was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and moved to the Texas Hill Country in the fall of 2011 to finish her bachelor’s degree in journalism at Texas State University- San Marcos. In the summer of 2012, she began interning with the news and information branch of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. After graduating in August 2013, she was hired full-time at the department. Her writing has been featured in several issues of Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine. She also writes news releases and news briefs regularly and helps manage the department’s Facebook and Twitter pages. In her spare time, Salinas can be often found trying new activities and visiting new parks with her family and her 5-year-old Jack Russell terrier mix, Norma Jean. Her long-term goal is to visit every park in the state.
Brad Smith has been an avid outdoorsman all of his life. As a child, he fished on the banks of the Eel and Tippecanoe rivers in Northern Indiana chasing muskies and other game fish all over the Midwest. During the winter, he
spends every possible moment in a tree stand. Come spring, he is in the woods listening for far off gobbles. His passion for hunting and fishing has led him to a life of being a lure designer, tournament angler, and an active writer providing content for several outdoor publications and various websites such as Midwest Outdoors magazine, Wide Open Spaces, Angler and Hunter, Average Outdoorsman and The Outdoor Shopper. Smith is also pretty handy in the kitchen. He specializes in quick and easy wild game recipes that would make even the pickiest of eaters go back for seconds. These days Smith still spends every moment he can lost in the woods or somewhere on the water writing about his adventures and sharing his experiences on his blog StreamtoPond.com.
Terry R. Thomas is a naturalist with a masters’s degree in wildlife management from Montana State University. He has worked for Idaho Department of Fish and Game for 27 years a s a conservation officer, wildlife biologist, habitat biologist and habitat manager. When he is not working he is exploring the backcountry of Idaho and traveling to national parks and other points of interest. Thomas writes a weekly nature column for the Idaho Falls Post Register and recently published a book, “The Best of Nature,” with over 100 of his most popular columns from the past 17 years. He is a board member of Friends of Camas National Wildlife Refuge. He recently started a website, www.nature-track.com
intended to become premier site on nature. He and his wife Cathy love to travel, photograph, hike, canoe, garden, hunt and fish.
Matt Smythe decided that hunting and gathering for his family’s table would be a far better way to make a living than grinding out a nine-to-five. An upstate New York native, avid bowhunter and fly-fisherman, Smythe now splits his time between freelance writing (marketing and editorial), spending time in the woods and on the water with his three kids, and writing his blog, fishingpoet.com. Additionally, Smythe is the writer/co-producer of the film “A Deliberate Life,” which toured with the International Fly Fishing Film Festival in 2013. Smythe believes that the conservation of our woods, water and wildlife helps us pay much closer attention to the larger natural world that surrounds the places we find them — the wild places that he knows his kids will explore, both locally and beyond.
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Remembering legend George Laycock

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 19:50:43 +0000

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Longtime OWAA member George Laycock died March 31. He was 92.
Laycock was known as a prolific writer who published more than 50 books and hundreds of magazine articles in publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life and Popular Science. He also was a field
editor for Audubon magazine.
He joined OWAA in 1951 and received a Circle of Chiefs award in 1970 and the Excellence in Craft Award in 1983. He continued to support OWAA through the years with generous donations and his time.
“He was truly a pioneer in OWAA,” said Michael Frome, a fellow Chief.
In the golden era of outdoor writing in the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s, Laycock wrote a few “me and Joe” hunting and fishing stories, but focused on conservation writing, said Steve Maslowski, whose father Karl Maslowski was a fellow Chief and close friend to Laycock.
Laycock was one of earliest and most influential critics of strip mining and his writing caused changes in legislation to better regulate the practice, Maslowski said. He castigated bad environmental practices, but also championed good ones, such as the expansion of the National Wildlife Refuge system.
He was a quiet man, whose writing spoke for itself.
“George earned his keep by what he did, not how he showcased,” Maslowski said. He was also a man of principles, and never exaggerated or lied, in conversation or in his writing.
“George’s principles served him — and the nation — well, but presented a frighteningly high bar for the likes of me,” Maslowski said.
Yet Laycock was there to encourage and mentor Maslowski and the next generation of outdoor writers. What Maslowski learned from Laycock can still be applied to journalism today.
“George was driven to write, and in writing was driven to point out the truth, wherever it lay,” Maslowski said. “It’s a model for the ages.”
As the oldest Chief, Laycock was still among the most active, said Joel Vance, a fellow Circle of Chiefs recipient. Laycock always stepped up to help with the selection of a new Chief, or pitch in wherever he was needed, Vance said.
Laycock’s work for Audubon stretched decades and his books were varied.
“He was a true giant of conservation and nature writing,” Vance said. Ted Williams worked with Laycock at Audubon.
“Even at that organization, his love and advocacy for wildlife was legend,” Williams said. “When almost all his contemporaries had burned out as writers and fallen silent, George was cranking out great copy.”
Laycock often favored advocating for creatures like snakes, skunks, coyotes, bats and other wildlife unloved and unappreciated by the public. He also kept up on wildlife issues up until near his death, sending so many story ideas Williams had to pass about 95 percent on to other writers.
Rich Patterson, another Circle of Chiefs recipient, didn’t know Laycock well, but remembers reading his books and articles in college.
“He was a legend,” Patterson said.
Chris Madson, also a Chief, met Laycock at a meeting. Madson stole a day to visit the Gettysburg battlefield and when he mentioned it to Laycock the two talked into the night about the time period, the battle and the sacrifices of the soldiers.
“His deep knowledge of the subject, his imagination and enthusiasm were compelling,” Madson said. “He brought those elements to everything he wrote and presented them in a style that was simple, accurate and graceful.”
Laycock was a modest man and great listener, Madson said.
He was a true “gentle man,” quiet, yet confident, said George Harrison, a fellow Chief.
Laycock was a “hybrid,” a dedicated bird watcher who also loved to hunt and fish. He was a writer, and also a photographer, Harrison said.
“I believe that George Laycock was one of OWAA’s best,” he said.
Laycock, a World War II veteran, died in his hometown of Cincinnati. He had three children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
For more on Laycock read the OWAA Legends piece written by Parker Bauer at https://owaa.org/owaa-legends/george-laycock/.
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Join OWAA Facebook group for communicators

OWAA staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 19:38:45 +0000

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BY MARK TAYLOR
When I left the OWAA annual conference in 2006, my bags were fuller than when I arrived in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
One of the additions was more valuable than the others, though it took up little space.
It was a single page from a yellow notepad, and it included the email addresses of everyone who had attended the Newspaper Section business meeting.
Within a couple of days I used the list to create what, back in those days, we called a listserve. Basically, it was a way for us to communicate electronically as a group.
The group was active for several years, and provided a convenient way for us to ask questions and share ideas.
A couple of years ago we launched something similar, but this time we did it through Facebook and we didn’t limit it to just newspaper folks. We call it the Outdoor Communicator Roundtable, and thanks to the efforts of the Marketing Committee we’re making a push to beef it up. As I write this we’re up to 69 members. We’d like more.
Although there has been some talk about opening the group up to non-OWAA members we’re keeping it a members-only group for now.
Again, it’s a forum for conversations serious and casual, related to what we do in this profession. For example, I recently used the group to announce my transition from the newspaper world to public relations.
If you’re a Facebook member and a member of OWAA, we’d love to have you. Please drop me an email at fishtay@gmail.com — or, better yet — message me on Facebook and I will invite you to the group.
And, no, there isn’t a secret handshake.
Yet.
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