A great number of authors have contributed to the archives of outdoor sporting literature, and here at Outdoor Sporting Library, we’ve hardly scratched the surface of what’s out there. A reader recently pointed out that I had failed write anything on Corey Ford, an iconic writer who penned a column for Field & Stream for almost 20 years, and wrote numerous books. Reader Henry Hegeman shares his thoughts on Ford below.
I was born in 1948 and grew up in the 50’s and 60’s reading the “Big Three” outdoor magazines. Field & Stream was my favorite because of Corey Ford’s monthly column “The Lower Forty”. Through these monthly shenanigans (and other pieces by Corey) I learned about sporting ethics, sporting etiquette, fair chase and what being a sportsman was all about. The thing is, I never realized I was being taught these things until later in life. I believe that was the true genius of Corey Ford…………he had the ability to entertain while at the same time delivering a message without being preachy. He is without doubt my favorite outdoor writer.
Henry isn’t alone in his fond memories of Corey Ford’s writing, and its impact is still being felt. Stay tuned for an OSL piece on Corey Ford sometime in the near future.
Corey Ford is certainly one of the best. His “Road to Tinkhamtown” is often regarded as one of the best short stories in outdoor literature. His other works — including his Minutes of the Lower Forty series — are just as entertaining. He had a great way of mixing humor with nostalgia and even (sometimes sad) emotion. I found his work so personally important I borrowed one of his Setter’s names for my dog: Tober.
i have to agree with Nick