Gordon MacQuarrie facts for kids
Gordon MacQuarrie (born July 3, 1900 – died November 10, 1956) was an American writer and journalist. He was born in Superior, Wisconsin. Gordon MacQuarrie is famous for his short stories about hunting and fishing. He also created a fun, partly made-up group called The Old Duck Hunters' Association, Inc. (ODHA, Inc.). He passed away suddenly in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
His "Old Duck Hunters" stories first appeared in outdoor magazines in the early 1900s. After he died, these stories were collected into books. The first book, Stories of the Old Duck Hunters & Other Drivel, came out in 1967. Today, you can find all three main books from Willow Creek Press. They are available as printed books and also as audio versions. Willow Creek Press has also released three more books of his writings.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Gordon MacQuarrie graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in August 1924. He earned a degree in Journalism. After college, he started working as a young reporter for the Superior Evening Telegram. In 1925, he became the City Editor. By 1927, he was promoted to Managing Editor.
He stayed at the Telegram until April 1936. Then, he took a job with the Milwaukee Journal newspaper. He moved to Milwaukee with his first wife, Helen Marjorie MacQuarrie, and their daughter, Sally. In September 1954, MacQuarrie married another reporter from the Journal, Ellen Gibson.
The Old Duck Hunters
MacQuarrie created The Old Duck Hunters' Association for his stories. He based the "President" of the group on his real-life father-in-law, Allan Peck. The stories were often cheerful and funny. MacQuarrie himself was often the target of the jokes in his tales.
He became the first full-time professional outdoor writer in America. This happened when he became the outdoor editor for the Milwaukee Journal on April 19, 1936.
Conservation Efforts
In 1936, MacQuarrie also became friends with Aldo Leopold. Leopold was a very important person in conservation. Conservation means protecting nature and wildlife. Their friendship lasted until Leopold's death in 1948. MacQuarrie strongly supported Leopold's ideas about the Land Ethic. This idea is about how people should treat the land with respect. MacQuarrie wrote often about Leopold's work until he died in 1956.
His Legacy
In June 2003, a book about Gordon MacQuarrie was published. It was called Gordon MacQuarrie: The Story of an Old Duck Hunter. Keith Crowley wrote this biography.
The Gordon MacQuarrie Memorial Wetlands are named in his honor.
Gordon MacQuarrie Award
After Gordon MacQuarrie passed away, the Milwaukee Journal created an award in his name. The Gordon MacQuarrie Award honors outdoor writers in Wisconsin. It recognizes writers who show a good understanding of nature. They must also promote caring for the environment. And they need to show honest reporting, just like MacQuarrie did.
Published Books
- Stories of the Old Duck Hunters & Other Drivel, ISBN: 0-932558-25-9
- More Stories of the Old Duck Hunters, ISBN: 0-932558-18-6
- Last Stories of the Old Duck Hunters, ISBN: 0-932558-24-0
- MacQuarrie Miscellany, ISBN: 0-932558-38-0
- Fly Fishing with MacQuarrie ISBN: 1-57223-025-8
- The Gordon MacQuarrie Sporting Treasury, ISBN: 1-57223-032-0
