Why I Will Miss Patrick McManus in Outdoor Life Magazine

I was shocked to learn today that Outdoor Life Magazine will be letting Patrick McManus go. For those who do not know who Patrick McManus is, pick up a copy of Outdoor Life from the last 28 years, and open to the back cover (except for those few issues where his article was moved to another part of the magazine in an unprecedented move of stupidity). Go back 12 years prior to that, and you will find his articles in Field and Stream Magazine. McManus is also known for a plethora of outdoor humor books, which can be seen at his website, http://www.mcmanusbooks.com/. If you have yet to read one of his books, you need to pick one up and read it. I grew up reading books like They Shoot Canoes Don't They, and A Fine and Pleasant Misery. These books express the humor that is present in many outdoor circumstances, and can be appreciated by both outdoorsmen and non-outdoorsmen alike!

Patrick McManus' feature article inside the back cover of Outdoor Life Magazine was the very first article that I would read in each issue. You knew that when you opened the magazine you would be in for a good laugh. McManus had the knack of pinpointing those prime moments in any outdoor circumstance that have the greatest potential for humor, and he had the ability to milk those moments to the fullest. Hunting, camping, fishing, and hiking were all fair game, and those of us who were outdoorsmen could relate. I wouldn't laugh when I fell in the river over my waders, and suffered being wet all day, but reading about Rex or Pat falling off a log could keep me laughing for several minutes. It is always better when it is someone else!

You could also count on McManus being clean. He did use the occasional profanity, but for the most part, he was very "family oriented." Rarely did a story slide off into what I would consider a "grey area." He never went beyond what I would consider "PG" rated material. That is more than I can say for some of the other outdoor writers. I have kept hundreds of issues of Outdoor Life so that my kids can read it. I know there are some issues of some of the other magazines that I wouldn't let them have because of the harsh profanities that are found peppered among the writings of other authors. McManus' writings are the epitome of what I believe outdoor writing should be. I won't hesitate to let my children read his articles. In fact, I have read them many of his stories already, and they think he is hilarious!

Outdoor Life has cited financial concerns as a reason for letting McManus go from the staff. However, it is very difficult to understand how letting the magazine's most popular writer go could possibly be a good financial move for the magazine. It will be very surprising if the magazine does not lose subscribers over this move. If you cut the best article in the magazine, surely at least some people will begin to leave for other magazines. For many years, McManus' articles have been what set Outdoor Life apart from other outdoor magazines, such as Field and Stream (a sister publication).

I am sure that many magazines are suffering in this day and time. After all, it is easy to find plenty of reading material on the internet, often for free. So, it is not surprising that magazines like Outdoor Life have to make cuts. It does not seem wise to make such deep cuts, if the magazine has any desire to continue in a print publication. At this rate, the publication may become completely electronic.

Patrick McManus is 71 years old, and surly is ready for a bit of a rest. I am sure he will enjoy the freedom of writing his books without strict deadlines. I hope that he will put out a few more books before his writing career is over. I am going to continue to read his work, but I will certainly miss him in Outdoor Life. For the time being, I think I will get my McManus fix by reading his blog, http://www.mcmanusbooks.com/biography/Pat's Blog.htm.