I began paying for my own subscription to Outdoor Life Magazine at age eight. I read every issue cover to cover several times over. Every month I walked the quarter mile to our rural mailbox in anticipation of the current month’s magazine. I longed to read Jack O’Conner’s next article and imagine going on a hunt with him, or sitting around a camp fire with him.

O’Conner was the shooting editor for Outdoor Life for more than 30 years. He’s still considered one of the best gun writers of the last century. He immortalized the .270 in story and deed. I still chased rabbits and squirrels as O’Conner traveled high in the Rockies with his beloved Winchester .270 in pursuit of elk, mountain goats and Rocky Mountain Sheep.

Jack O’Conner never knew me, but I sure knew him by the descriptive words he penned about every grand hunting trip he made.

Reading O’Conner’s works was as close to being there with him as it could be, especially for a  youngster who idolized him. He passed away in 1978. I still miss his presence.

I’ve always been a voracious reader of outdoor magazines and have written for dozens over the decades, having been inspired by O’Conner himself.

I love magazines because they have a long life. I read them numerous times, toss them into my travel bags, and finally drop them off at Tall Tine Barbershop in St. James when I am completely done with them. Dusty Nelson, the owner, is one of the finest archers and bowhunters I have ever met. O’Conner would approve of him. He’s the real deal, a consummate student of both archery and the habits of whitetail deer. The big buck mounts on his barbershop walls are a testament to his dedication.

Over the decades, especially in the last 20 years, the Jack O’Conner types have faded away.  Magazine bosses have relieved the best storytellers and filled their places with promotional name droppers and poorly disguised marketing.

Take a look at a photo in an outdoor magazine today and count the product names. Instead of reading about the fun of the catch or the hunt, we now read about the products that made the catch possible. The photos are about the products rather than the fish and game and the marvelous places from which they came.

Despite the merchandising hype, there are still some incredible outdoor writers on the scene promoting great outdoor literature. One of the best in the nation is  good friend Brandon Butler. He is shaping outdoor literature for future generations.

Other notables include Ken Perrotte, Andrew McKean, Steve Felgenhauer, Tim Kjellesvik, Jim Richman, and Ryan Milosweski. They appear across a broad spectrum of magazines, blogs and apps.

My current list of favorite outdoor magazines differs immensely from a couple of decades ago when Cabela’s Outfitters Journal, Southern Trout, the Southern Sportsman, and the Outdoor Guide were all popular. None survived the onslaught of modern adaptations in media.

These days Midwest Outdoors ranks at the top of my outdoor magazine list. Produced tabloid style MWO averages close to 100 pages, begins in Ohio and reaches across the Midwest with timely and accurate articles about the best hunting destinations and fishing locations in the multi-state area.

The Rambling Angler is an online magazine edited by Ken McBroom. It’s a compilation of fishing destinations, how-tos, a little poetry and some fine cooking techniques. The artistry and photos are superb.

Sporting Classics is a high end outdoor publication that features articles about hunting and fishing destinations from around the world. Young writer Nick Muckerman fills the pages with his world travels and adventures. Several decades ago I watched Nick arrow ptarmigans  in the Colorado Rockies while we were on a bow hunt for elk.

On the Fly south is another online publication. Editors Polly Dean and Jimmy Jacobs are not only superb fly fishermen, but expert travel destination aficionados as well. I revel with a bit of jealousy as I follow the adventures of this talented pair of editors each month. I’m always guessing if they will be in the Smokies or the Caribbean. Just last fall I had them as guests on the Meramec River near Steelville. They proved their reliance and adaptability by catching Rainbow trout, smallmouth, largemouth and crappie all on their fly rods.

Wildfowl magazine is a premier publication dedicated exclusively to duck and goose hunting, offering seven issues per year featuring techniques, gear reviews, conservation news, and hunting destinations. It caters to dedicated water-fowlers with advice on decoys, dog training, shotguns, and flyway management.

The publication covers all aspects of water-fowling, including expert tips, gear reviews, recipes, and in-depth articles on dog training and hunting strategies. It is aimed at serious waterfowl hunters, covering topics from northern prairies to southern rice fields. Key topics include gun/ammunition reviews, decoy strategies, blind, management, and conservation reports.

Wildfowl magazine is one of my favorites and I long for it to arrive.

Turkey Call is the official bimonthly magazine of the National Wild Turkey Federation dedicated to wild turkey hunting, conservation, and habitat management. Founded in 1973, it offers expert hunting tips, research, and stories for enthusiasts, with a focus on "Healthy Habitats. Healthy Harvests.” I’ve written several stories for this publication.

For a look at my articles go to: www.outsideagainadventures.blogspot.com. You can also follow my Living the Dream Outdoors Podcast, found on most social media platforms.