Jack Hennessy, Contributor at Outdoor Life

About

Jack Hennessy grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago and didn’t start hunting until he attended graduate school in Spokane, Washington, at the age of 26. After graduating with a Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing, Hennessy began work at The Elk Public House then later joined the Sports/Outdoors desk at The Spokesman-Review, where he covered hunting, fishing, and wild-game cooking in the Pacific Northwest. Since then, his work has appeared with Pheasants Forever, Petersen’s Hunting, Backcountry Journal, Gun Dog Magazine, among many others. He now lives with his wife, two daughters, and Wirehaired Vizsla, Dudley, in Wichita, Kansas.

Experience

Hennessy started part-time as an editor and writer for The Spokesman-Review, then transitioned into freelance for a couple years before accepting a full-time position with Idea Ranch, where he now works as a PR rep, social-media marketing expert, and content creator. He continues to freelance—with a focus on wild-game cooking—for a myriad of publications.

Education

Hennessy graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor’s degree in English: Writing Intensive; then later graduated from Eastern Washington with a Masters of Fine Arts: Creative Writing—Fiction.

Highlights

  • Expertise and interests include wild-game cooking and upland hunting, with a healthy dose of whitetail, waterfowl, and turkey
  • Loves helping others—hunters and non-hunters alike—learn to love eating wild game
  • Previous work experience: St. Paul Pioneer Press and Chicago Sun-Times

Words of Wisdom

“When you find yourself becoming complacent, it’s time for a change. Learn a new skill, start a new hobby. Life isn’t meant to be lived from a plateau.”

More from Jack Hennessy

canned venison
Hunting

How to Can Venison