Episode Details

Episode 53: Talkin’ Tangents — A Conversation with Pat Durkin

Show Notes

In this episode of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast, host Mike Ruhl sits down with legendary outdoor writer Pat Durkin for a lively, free-wheeling conversation that covers just about everything from whitetails to wordsmithing. Over the past four decades, Pat has written and edited for some of the biggest names in outdoor media — including Deer & Deer Hunting, Outdoor News, and MeatEater — all while keeping his boots muddy and his stories honest.

True to the name Talkin’ Tangents, this chat zigzags across topics the way a curious hunter roams a November ridge:

How Pat got his start in outdoor journalism and the mentors who shaped his path

What he’s learned from a lifetime observing deer — their senses, behavior, and uncanny ability to survive us

The evolution of outdoor media — from print deadlines and typewriters to digital columns and podcasts

Conservation ethics, public-land access, and the delicate balance between science and storytelling

Why humor, humility, and curiosity still matter more than “hot takes” or trophy photos

Along the way, the conversation drifts (in the best Outdoor Ruhls fashion) into side trails about writing discipline, memorable hunts, and the future of hunting culture. Whether you read Pat in the Sunday paper, scroll his MeatEater essays, or simply love thoughtful outdoor conversation, this one’s a keeper.

Episode Highlights

00:00 — Intro: Mike sets the scene and welcomes Pat to the campfire.

05:30 — From Newsroom to Northwoods: Pat’s early writing days and first big breaks.

15:00 — How Deer Think: Sensory biology, research insights, and field observations.

25:00 — Story Craft: Turning muddy boots into meaningful sentences.

38:00 — Ethics & Access: The state of conservation, hunters, and public lands.

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