Ruark's "Dixie Deer Hunt" is a tale of the North State Club, which dated back to the late 19th century, and the way its members conducted the serious business of deer hunting.

Does were taboo (I remember a similar sanctity from my boyhood, and younger readers need to realize this was before the great whitetail comeback saga), and the tradition of punishment for misses was adhered to in rigid fashion. However, instead of having his shirttail cut, the poor "no shooting soul" gave up the garment to some of the help working at the club.

In this piece, Ruark captures the special camaraderie of the hunt camp, the fashion in which a relaxed setting and a hunting situation can reveal character. Ruark manages to convey what so many of us feel in our hearts but cannot shape into words, and therein lies his real gift, and never mind the fact that many aspects of his adult life were miserable or despicable; he left every lover of nature, every hunter and fisherman, a bountiful legacy.

I feel confident in saying that if you'll spend some time in his "Old Man" tales, you will be a better, more understanding, and more appreciative sportsman for it. Ruark captures the hunting ethos as few have done or ever will do, and for a deep understanding of deer hunting as it has traditionally been done over much of Dixie, you will find no finer guide.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
The author is a full-time freelancer with a longtime interest in the history of sport hunting. In addition to having edited Tales of Whitetails: Archibald Rutledge's Great Deer-Hunting Stories, as mentioned, he also edited a recently published biography of Robert Ruark written by Ruark's secretary, Ruark Remembered (trade edition $45 or deluxe edition $100 postpaid), and he edited and compiled The Lost Classics of Robert Ruark ($40 postpaid). Inscribed and signed copies are available from the author through his Web site (www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com) or by writing to: Jim Casada, 1250 Yorkdale Drive, Rock Hill, SC 29730.

Safari Press, Inc. currently offers reprints on most of Ruark's classic hunting books, including The Old Man and the Boy and The Old Man's Boy Grows Older, as well as Ruark's African hunting classics Horn of the Hunter and Use Enough Gun. To order copies, simply go online to www.safaripress.com. Used copies of these must-read books can also be found on eBay. To locate, go to eBay online and simply type in Robert Ruark's name under the "books" category.

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