Dac Collins, News Editor at Outdoor Life

Dac Collins

News Editor

Highlights

  • A recovering trout bum and steelhead junky, and a disciple of John Gierach, Joe Brooks, and Tom McGuane. 
  • Enjoys thinking and writing about the “why” behind outdoor pursuits, and exploring the deep connection between humans and the natural world.
  • Previously worked as a freelancer, staff writer, and editor at weekly newspapers and alt-weeklies in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

About

Dac Collins is the News Editor at Outdoor Life. He helps tell the latest stories about America’s hunters and anglers while reporting on critical conservation issues, oftentimes with a fly rod or shotgun in hand. He lives in Colorado with his wife and son.

Experience

Collins got started in journalism while writing for his college newspaper, The Sewanee Purple. An obsession with fly fishing and river running led him to the Pacific Northwest, where he guided fishing trips on remote wilderness rivers for several years. An unabashed fish nerd, Collins is drawn to all things water-related. When he’s not covering the conservation beat for Outdoor Life, he’s out exploring his local rivers.

Education

Collins graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Spanish.

More from Dac Collins

One of Colorado’s Reintroduced Wolves Was Found Dead. It Was Probably Killed by a Mountain Lion
Conservation

One of Colorado’s Reintroduced Wolves Was Found Dead. It Was Probably Killed by a Mountain Lion

By Dac Collins

Nevada’s First Wolf Pack Sighting in 100 Years Was Actually a Group of Coyotes, Officials Confirm
Conservation

Nevada’s First Wolf Pack Sighting in 100 Years Was Actually a Group of Coyotes, Officials Confirm

By Dac Collins

Tennessee Judges Rein in Game Wardens, Declaring Warrantless Searches on Private Land Unconstitutional
Conservation

Tennessee Judges Rein in Game Wardens, Declaring Warrantless Searches on Private Land Unconstitutional

By Dac Collins

Watch: Fisherman Catches Bull Shark in a Texas River, Sends Internet Into a Panic
Fishing

Watch: Fisherman Catches Bull Shark in a Texas River, Sends Internet Into a Panic

By Dac Collins

‘I’m About to Be Killed.’ Dog Defends Canadian Hiker from Charging Grizzly Bear
Animal Attacks

‘I’m About to Be Killed.’ Dog Defends Canadian Hiker from Charging Grizzly Bear

By Dac Collins

California Confirms Its First Two Cases of Chronic Wasting Disease
Conservation

California Confirms Its First Two Cases of Chronic Wasting Disease

By Dac Collins

Oklahoma Plans to Combat CWD by Releasing Captive-Bred Deer into the Wild
Big Game Hunting

Oklahoma Plans to Combat CWD by Releasing Captive-Bred Deer into the Wild

By Dac Collins

Florida Teen Injured by His Own Fishing Drone while Flying in Prohibited Area
Fishing

Florida Teen Injured by His Own Fishing Drone while Flying in Prohibited Area

By Dac Collins

Florida HOA President Arrested for Allegedly Pulling a Gun on Kids Fishing in His Neighborhood, Throwing Away Their Tackle
Fishing

Florida HOA President Arrested for Allegedly Pulling a Gun on Kids Fishing in His Neighborhood, Throwing Away Their Tackle

By Dac Collins

Shed Hunter Kills Charging Grizzly with a Handgun in Montana
Animal Attacks

Shed Hunter Kills Charging Grizzly with a Handgun in Montana

By Dac Collins

House Votes to Delist Gray Wolves, Block Lead Ammo Bans, End Boundary Waters Protections, and Overturn BLM Rule
Conservation

House Votes to Delist Gray Wolves, Block Lead Ammo Bans, End Boundary Waters Protections, and Overturn BLM Rule

By Dac Collins

Indiana Fisherman Catches State-Record Yellow Perch During Local Fishing Derby
Fishing

Indiana Fisherman Catches State-Record Yellow Perch During Local Fishing Derby

By Dac Collins

Texas Game Wardens Seize $100K Worth of Stolen Boats and Motors at Amateur Bass Tournament
Bass Fishing

Texas Game Wardens Seize $100K Worth of Stolen Boats and Motors at Amateur Bass Tournament

By Dac Collins

California Guide’s Roosevelt Elk Is a New World Record. It’s Not His First
Big Game Hunting

California Guide’s Roosevelt Elk Is a New World Record. It’s Not His First

By Dac Collins

‘Senseless’ Vandal Poisons Oregon Fish Hatchery, Killing 18,000 Salmon with Liquid Bleach
Conservation

‘Senseless’ Vandal Poisons Oregon Fish Hatchery, Killing 18,000 Salmon with Liquid Bleach

By Dac Collins

Florida Man Runs Over Gator to Save His Neighbor
Animal Attacks

Florida Man Runs Over Gator to Save His Neighbor

By Dac Collins

Deer Hunter Faces 12 Years in Prison for Accidentally Bringing Ammo on Vacation to Turks and Caicos
Big Game Hunting

Deer Hunter Faces 12 Years in Prison for Accidentally Bringing Ammo on Vacation to Turks and Caicos

By Dac Collins

A Lake Sturgeon Swam 651 Miles from Wisconsin to Illinois in ‘Longest-Known’ Migration Down Mississippi River
Conservation

A Lake Sturgeon Swam 651 Miles from Wisconsin to Illinois in ‘Longest-Known’ Migration Down Mississippi River

By Dac Collins

Gray Wolf Trapped in Colorado Was from Great Lakes Population, Feds Confirm
Conservation

Gray Wolf Trapped in Colorado Was from Great Lakes Population, Feds Confirm

By Dac Collins

Someone Released 25 Turkeys on Public Land in Nevada. Officials Want to Find Out Who
Conservation

Someone Released 25 Turkeys on Public Land in Nevada. Officials Want to Find Out Who

By Dac Collins