“Meanderings of a Snake Meadow Editor” is a collection of essays, stories, letters and ramblings surrounding the sport of upland bird hunting from the thoughtful and reflective mind of Paul E. Chase. A native of Connecticut Yankee stock, Chase has been a bird hunter all his life, and immensely enjoys the sport and all that surrounds it. In the book, he weaves together his love for bird dogs, double guns, ruffed grouse and woodcock, sporting art, and collectible upland hunting books.
I ran across “Meanderings….” while researching outdoor writers earlier this year. I discovered an entire chapter of the book dedicated to noteworthy authors and artists of upland game hunting, and learned of numerous outdoor writers I had never heard of before. To me, this was initially the most valuable part of the book. Chase is an expert collector of upland bird literature, particularly when it comes to New England. Just this chapter is a must-have for folks like myself who wish to become more familiar with the upland books that are out there and the authors (both well-known and obscure) who created them. I’d have bought the book just for this chapter. But there’s plenty more.
The rest of the book is a loose collection of Chase’s writings that range far and wide. Many of these were reprinted from the newsletter of the Snake Meadow Club, a popular Connecticut upland hunting club, of which chase was the editor for years (hence the book’s title). Others were articles reprinted from publications such as The Double Gun Journal and The Upland Almanac.
The first part of the book reflects on Chase’s early years of bird hunting. His hunts began with his grandfather on the same family farm where he resides today. Subsequent chapters talk of bird dogs and how much they mean to Chase, population cycles of ruffed grouse and woodcock, quality upland shotguns, hunting trips to Maine, Vermont and Canada, guides, friends, hunting partners, and much, much more.
Overall, “Meanderings…” is aptly titled – it covers an incredibly wide range of topics and bounces all over the place. But Chase’s writing style kept me captivated throughout the book and it was a real quality read. I highly recommend this book. With the vast amount of knowledge and reflection in its pages, and synthesis of today’s issues surrounding upland bird hunting, the book may someday become cherished by many upland hunting enthusiasts.
I was able to purchase “Meanderings…” as an ebook for my Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader for a very low price – just around $3 bucks (click ad below to purchase). Copies are also available in hardcover and paperback at reasonable prices. Here’s a description from the author:
This is a book of essays about upland hunting experiences, bird dogs, noteworthy authors who wrote books about upland hunting, celebrated entrepreneurs in the shotgun-producing industry, favorite upland painters whose subjects were dogs and men in the field, fine double shotguns, a few short stories and several miscellaneous subjects, most related to the upland shooting life. This book also offers historical, environmental, philosophical and aesthetical observations of a long-time rural landowner. A fellow bird hunter, Dick Curriden, of Greenville, Maine also contributed witty and humorous words of a highly respected sportsman in the form of letters written to me over the years. The title, Meanderings of a Snake Meadow Editor, originates from the well-known 1925-established Snake Meadow Club, Inc. located in the towns of Plainfield and Killingly in eastern Connecticut, of which I have been quarterly newsletter editor for the past twenty-two years. This has afforded me the opportunity to write a column or two in every publication. These rather brief paragraphs in the newsletters have been expanded and, with few exceptions, resulted in the essays that comprise this book.
Leave a Reply