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Author

Patrick Durkin

Patrick Durkin
President at Wisconsin Outdoor Communicators Association
Patrick Durkin is a lifelong bowhunter and full-time freelance outdoor writer/editor who lives in Waupaca, Wisconsin. He has covered hunting, fishing and outdoor issues since 1983. His work appears regularly in national hunting publications, and his weekly outdoors column has appeared regularly in over 20 Wisconsin newspapers since 1984.
Latest Articles
Whitetail buck rub
Buck Rubs Never Fail to Fascinate

The author reflects on his fascination with buck rubs encountered on hunts across the country. Every one of these buck rubs tell a story.

Grumpy Hunters

Is Grumpy Hunter Syndrome real? Some Wisconsin hunters tend to rank the deer season as less than what the facts show it to be.

Dairy Farmer Makes Time to Hunt Big Bucks

Aaron Knutson enjoys hunting early November, but most years this Wisconsin dairy farmer is done bowhunting big bucks before the rut ever arrives.

Treestand Accidents More Common in Bowhunting

Every year people die or get crippled because they leave themselves vulnerable, becoming victims of treestand accidents.

Top 10 States for Deer-Vehicle Collisions

It's a fact of life. Deer-vehicle collisions peak during the whitetail’s breeding season from late October to December. Here's where it happens.

Packing Out Elk: A Fun Misery

Pat Durkin shares the story of the painful pleasure that comes with packing out elk.

Rare Second Shot Bags the Bull

You typically get one shot at a given animal when bowhunting. But every once in a while you get a rare second shot at that bull or buck.

Protect Hunting by Keeping Federal Lands

We as stewards of the land must fight to protect hunting by keeping federal lands.

cougars
Cougars Haven’t Yet Recolonized the Midwest

A book called “Heart of a Lion” is giving some folks hope that cougars dispersing from South Dakota’s Black Hills will soon recolonize the Midwest.

Gary Clancy: A True Giant in Many Ways

Reflection, photos, and a tribute to outdoor industry legend, Gary Clancy.

Wolf Hearing Will Solve Nothing

Here's a look at the current situation on wolves in WI and plans for September's wolf hearing.

Why Try to Justify Your Hunting Expenses?

Can you honestly justify your hunting expenses? And why even try? Here's a breakdown of what that might actually look like.

Wisconsin Reviewing More Public-Land Sales

Wisconsin DNR is now in the final phase of land evaluations to offer state-owned hunting and fishing property for sale.

CWD Should Worry Wisconsin’s Governor

Is Wisconsin's situation with CWD in their whitetail deer herd being taken seriously? Some would say it's time to tighten up.

Deer Hunting’s Future is Tough to Predict

Quality Deer Management - Has it helped or hurt our deer populations? These facts show the truth.

Humbling Hunt Launches Long Journey to Boston

Here's the story of how one humbling hunt led to one man's journey to losing weight, feeling great, and hunting harder than ever before.

New Era, Same ol’ Tired Deer Debate

One year in to the "new era" of whitetail deer hunting in Wisconsin...have things truly changed? Some reports speak otherwise.

Do Deer Have a Sixth Sense?

I’m not sure I believe deer can sense danger, but I know some deer hunters more skilled than me swear deer have that power. What do you think? Do deer have a sixth sense?

Watch What You Eat for Pre-Hunt Breakfast

It never crossed his mind that one poor pre-hunt breakfast selection could have such an impact on his hunt...and beyond.

Railroads are Cutting Off Hunters from Public Lands

Few Wisconsinites were shocked in early March when the state Senate’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee ignored a bill to let people once again legally cross railroads on foot to reach hunting, fishing and trapping sites statewide.