What is a backtrack? In the simplest terms in the hunting world, it can be defined as returning through the woods the way you came. Retracing your steps. And in the world of a lifelong outdoorsman, a backtrack can mean retracing those steps by putting decades of memories to paper.
“Backtrack” is the title of V. Paul Reynolds’ new book. Reynolds needs no introduction here. He’s the longtime editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal, former editor of the Bangor Daily News and information officer with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Perhaps most importantly, he’s a long time award winning outdoor writer who’s informed, educated and entertained Maine outdoors folk for years.
When it comes to outdoor writing, I consider V. Paul Reynolds a mentor. I grew up reading his columns and editorials in the Sporting Journal and have always been impressed with how he balances superb writing quality with down to earth knowledge and understanding of the hunting and fishing world. So I knew what to expect when I opened my copy of “Backtrack”, and I wasn’t disappointed.
“Backtrack” is a collection of dozens of short pieces on hunting, fishing and the outdoors. Topics include collections of personal experiences, how-to articles and examinations of ethical issues in the hunting and fishing world. It’s really a catch-all book that reminds me a lot of Bud Leavitt’s “Twelve Months in Maine”, though heavier on reflective essays with fewer wild game recipes and statistics. Not to take anything away from Bud, but I think I like this one better.
Since the book is a reflection of V. Paul Reynolds’ life in the outdoors, “Backtrack” is mostly Maine-centric, but it also includes some of Paul’s western adventures – elk hunting in Colorado and fly fishing in Montana and Wyoming. Having lived and hunted and fished out West for several years, I can’t agree with Paul more when he emphatically states that you have to experience it. There’s no way to describe it. Just get out there and do it if you can, while you can. You’ll be glad you spent the money and will have the memories forever.
Speaking of memories, through his book it’s obvious that Reynolds values them more than gold, and I think that’s something we often overlook as outdoors people. As he relates in his book, the late great outdoor writer Bud Leavitt impressed upon him the “importance of building a storehouse of fond memories”. I think Bud had a point. Though we don’t realize it, the memories are the main reason we recreate. Get out more and you’ll create more.
Hunting and fishing in a state like Maine isn’t always easy, particularly with inclement weather, but Reynolds has a saying for that. “If I wait for the perfect weather….my outdoor experiences will be few and far between. So most of the time, I plan a trip and follow through come hell or high water. As a result, I have a pocketful of memories – some bad, but most of them good.” These include the time he hiked three miles to a remote trout pond in the pouring rain. Upon arrival the rain stopped and the trout fishing was phenomenal.
Memories don’t always involve shooting the biggest trophies. Like the time Paul shot the small eight pointer that hangs on his wall. “It is a sweet memory, and it gets sweeter with time”. They don’t always involve filling a creel or punching a tag. Like the Hampden bowhunter who “mostly sits up in a tree all day and eats cookies”. Many times it’s just about special times with friends.
In addition to outdoor companions in “Backtrack”, Reynolds shows an acute recognition of the knowledge, advice and works of fellow outdoor writers . Many a page in the book includes tidbits gleaned from these peers. It’s recognition of this sort that I believe shows maturity, humility and confidence in a writer and makes a book like this shine. As he states in the book, “I have also learned that if you dig deep enough, you will always find other writers with a surer pen, and a better facility to capture the true essence of a feeling”. That’s why we should never stop reading.
Amongst the variety of topics written about in “Backtrack”, Reynolds takes time on occasion to explore some of the important ethical issues in the hunting and fishing world today. For instance, is catch-and-release fishing necessarily a good thing? Does it matter whether we fish with barbed or barbless hooks? Is it ethical to take a shot at a running deer? Questions like these may not have a clear answer, but V. Paul explores the issues in a reasonable, humble and respectful way that allows you to decide for yourself.
Though a backtrack is easily defined, it should become clear that V. Paul Reynolds’ “Backtrack” is many things. It’s a backtrack of memories, tales and tidbits of information that come together to form a great book. It deserves a place on your shelf, perhaps next to a journal describing your own backtrack.
Backtrack was published by the Islandport Press in 2013.
Leave a Reply