I know Phil. We need to take into account the fact that he's not writing for this BB, not writing for DGJ, not writing for Shooting Sportsman. F&S is the prototypical mass market hook and bullet publication. So he's writing for an audience with only a very small minority that know much at all about side by sides. He talked to me about his "project gun", and I told him that I thought it was a pretty good platform for a makeover. I have no idea what he actually paid. Me . . . also a gun writer . . . I just received a set of 16ga Bernardelli barrels from Briley. Had thin wall chokes installed. Neither asked for nor received a special price.

That's not to say that we don't get occasional freebies or reduced prices. For example, when I get a gun for field test and review, I usually have the opportunity to buy the gun at a price somewhat below wholesale. I've enjoyed some free trips . . . based on the expectation that I'll give the guide or lodge good publicity (which I only do if they deserve it).

On the other hand, outdoor writing does not pay particularly well. Any time anyone tells me they're interested in becoming an outdoor writer, the first words out of my mouth: "Do NOT quit your day job!"

We're often lumped into the same group as sports writers. And those clowns love to make fun of us because we do take freebies. But there isn't a one of us that wouldn't be glad to pay for everything we get--if we had expense accounts like "real" sports writers do. We'd be WAY ahead.

Steve Smith, who's been my editor at Pointing Dog Journal for years, has a great description of a full time outdoor writer in the dog/bird/gun niche: "Someone who knows a little about dogs, a little about bird hunting, a little about guns, writes halfway well . . . and is either independently wealthy or is married to a brain surgeon." I've always been part time, although a good bit more prolific in the past than now (Social Security and a military pension make a big difference!) And I can't imagine ever having tried to earn a real living doing it full time, although I have a few friends who do.

Last edited by L. Brown; 03/10/17 10:15 AM.