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S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 2 4 0 Something happens to a man when he sits before a fire. Strange stirrings take place within him, and a light comes into his eyes which was not there before. An open flame suddenly changes his environment to one of adventure and romance. Siguard Olson, The Singing Wilderness, 1945. Submitted by Clay Hower of Dallas, Texas. There is much to be said in behalf of the solitary way of fishing and hunting. It lets people get acquainted with themselves. Do not feel sorry for the man on his own. If he is one who plunges into all sorts of work, if he does not dawdle, if he does not dwell on his aloneness, he will get many things done and have a fine time doing them. Gordon MacQuarrie, Stories of the Old Duck Hunters, 1967. Submitted by David R. Drinan of Somers, Connecticut. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me . . . whenever . . . wherever I need him. I expect I will—as I always have. He is just my dog. Gene Hill, Tears & Laughter, 1981 Submitted by Bill Schaum of Montgomery, Alabama. . . . the camaraderie of huntsmen brings people rapidly together. Together, you rough the elements, outsmart the game, share your binoculars, split your candy bars, drink out of the same canteen, share the excitement of spotting that trophy room ram, etc. etc. You become the closest of companions, sharing the same wonderful interests. Chris R. Klineburger, Gamemasters of the World, 2010. Submitted by Bryon Kibby of Rosanky, Texas. Perhaps too often the nonhunter might accuse the upland game sportsman of "killing off our birds," whatever the species might be. With the present controls on hunting this is, of course, utter nonsense. Far more important than the numbers of birds shot during the fall hunting season is the amount of winter food and cover available to support the survivors until the following breeding season. Paul A. Johnsgard, The Grouse of the World, 1956. Submitted by Gerald Hickman of Cheney, Washington. Send us your favorite quotes from sporting literature and receive one free gift subscription for every quote that is published. Include the author, title of book and date of publication. Send to: Quotes, Sporting Classics, PO Box 23707, Columbia, SC 29224 Reader Favorites u o t e s O l . . . the dove is the only bird I know that is immune to static ballistics. I mean to say, once you've got your swing grooved on duck or quail or grouse or chukars, the killing gets to be pretty automatic. Maybe the African sand grouse share some of the dove's ability to loop and dart and swoop, to fly fast or lazy, and to change his pace like a good pitcher, but I doubt if it compares with the dove in versatility of erratic action. Robert Ruark, "The Brave Quail," Field & Stream, December, 1951. Submitted by Albert Mull of Gray, Tennessee. When a polar bear stalks a man and kills him, it is simply because he has no inhibitions when he finds an unfamiliar creatures that smells good to eat, and in passing we might note that the seal oil smell of some of the more northerly Eskimos is probably a potent advertisement. Grancel Fitz, North American Head Hunting, 1957 Submitted by Bernard T. Walker of Creswell, North Carolina.