Best writer...Jack O'Connor! He could really tell a story.
The guy I'd like to spend a week or so with hunting....Elmet Keith, a character.
Finn Aggard got started much too late and I liked his no "BS" writing.
For the technical side...M.L. "Mic" McPherson without a doubt.
Pistols...Jeff Cooper!!!!!
The two most overrated....Townsend Whelan and Charles Askins.

Aagaard, Keith, and Skeeter. Good company all around.

I MUST SAY THAT I HAVE NEVER READ ANY KEITH OR O'CONNER. I CAME ALONG TO LATE IN THE GAME FOR THEM. I HONESTLY HAVE TO SAY THAT I READ MORE FOR THE ARTICLES THEMSELVES THAN FOR WHO IS WRITING THEM. I KNOW HE IS "OLD SCHOOL" BUT WHAT ABOUT JOHN TAYLOR. I DON'T THINK WE CAN BLAME THE COMMERCIAL WRITERS TOO MUCH. I KNOW I'M JEALOUS. HELL, I'D ENDORSE "POINTY STICK ARMS CO." IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR ME TO HUNT ALL OVER THE WORLD.

No doubt in my mind!
Elmer Keith, "Hell, I was there" what a great epitaph.
Steve

Of the old-time, deaseased, or currently inactive writers, I will always rank Jack O'Connor as the best. I have gotten a lot of enjoyment and knowlege from the very sensible Bob Hagel as well. John Jobson was quite a character, but he was also a great and entertaining writer.

Of the current writers, Jim Carmichel is the best in my book, and for a whole lot of reasons. Others who are right up there with him include Ross Seyfried, John Barsness, Terry Weiland, and Craig Boddington.

Guys I miss who I wish would resurface: Steve Bodio and Gary Sitton.

AD

Bob Milek I dought was the greatest writer of all time. But if there was an award for being down to earth, he would get it.

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Dave

My vote goes to Skeeter. I miss him.

Well, I guess you will never get wet if you don't jump in so here goes. Enjoyment from the reading and ability to tell a story? Russell Annabel or Capstick
Best narrative for info, data and detail? Has to be Aagard, straight up.
I met Keith some years ago when the NRA annual convention was in Atlanta and my first impressin of the man was that he spoke and acted exactly the way that he wrote. "Hell, I Was There!" could have been a diary from what I saw of him.
Jack O'Connor was a great writer but I always thought he might have embelished his stories just a bit whilst trying to make one and all believe it was pure gospel. I am just a bit surprised that no one has mentioned Gordon MacQuary. Ruark and others were wonderfully gifted writers. The list could go on and on but I still would go back and reread the old masters.
Best regards.
Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton,

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'Trapper'

My choice is a toss upbetween to Fin Aargaard and Kenneth Anderson with third place to Jim Corrbet

Number One, Jack O'C, of course. Gordon MacQuary? Now there was an author who gave us a fine read. After reading one of his "Old Duck Hunter" tales you could lean back, close your eyes (often with a tear in them), wish you could've been there and smile. Ruark, in "Horn of the Hunter" put into words what I'd always wanted to say about me and hunting. And, does anyone remember Ted Trueblood...Teddy Roosevelt? Corey Ford was a hoot; and who could take you bird hunting better than Havilah Babcock or Nash Buckingham?

c

There's not much that I can add to the list of great and near-great gun writers. To me, Finn Aagaard was best at getting his message across;no nonsense,just easy to believe facts.
I am suprised that no one even mentioned Larry Koller. His book"Shots at Whitetails",is maybe the best book ever written about hunting woodland deer.
Frank

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Franke: Yep, I and others did have a temporary memory loss here; Aagaard was a writer to be reckoned with. In fact, it was his article on the .338-06 in the Dec. '86 issue of "The American Rifleman," that I got my my first, best 'reasonable' loads for this relatively new calibre. I think it was Geoff Steer (remember him?) who got the whole .338-06 thing going in a "Guns & Ammo" article about a year or so earlier. Thanks for reminding me of Aagaard.