After 53 years of documenting Kentucky's natural beauties, Art Lander has decided to bid farewell to his outdoors column
Retired Outdoor Writer Art Lander Jr. Leaves a Legacy in Kentucky
After a remarkable career spanning over five decades, Art Lander Jr., a renowned outdoor writer, has retired from penning articles about Kentucky's rich wildlife, habitats, and outdoor activities.
Lander, known for his extensive work, spent 23 years as the outdoors staff writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper. His writing covered a wide range of topics, from noteworthy Kentuckians in history, such as explorer and early settler Squire Boone, to the state's diverse fish and wildlife species, including the elk herd, the largest in the eastern U.S., and various Kentucky reservoirs and small lakes.
His articles delved into marinas, boat ramps, and fish species, with an emphasis on how and where to catch them. Lander also wrote about Kentucky's furbearers, small game like squirrels, rabbits, and ruffed grouse, songbirds, migratory birds like mourning doves and woodcock, waterfowl such as ducks and Canada geese, and even snakes, turtles, and nesting birds.
Lander's work also extended to invasive and non-native species, quality fishing and hunting, natural resource management, forest management, seasonal mowing and planting forage crops, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), deer and wild turkey harvest data and trends, hunting strategies, ground blinds, treestands, archery gear, deer rifles, hunting with flintlock longrifles and turkey shotguns, and more.
One of Lander's significant contributions was his coverage of James A. Henshall, a figure who brought international notoriety to the Kentucky Reel, a handmade casting reel produced from about 1820 to the 1940s in Central Kentucky. Henshall, who spent many years in Northern Kentucky and died in Cincinnati in 1925 at the age of 89, is credited with introducing America to black bass.
Throughout his career, Lander wrote more than 550 articles, including book reviews and features for the Clabes family, starting in 2013. He also wrote three books and was a contributor to several others. Lander expresses his appreciation towards the Clabes family, biologists with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, for their support.
Lander's work provided valuable information and insight into the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and he covered topics such as fish articles that profiled sportfish species and their management, native walleye restoration, striped bass, ancient fish species like gar, the invasion of Asian carp, non-native mussels, and nuisance rooted aquatic vegetation in our lakes.
As Lander embarks on his retirement, his legacy as a prolific outdoor writer who captured the essence of Kentucky's wildlife, habitats, and outdoor activities will continue to be felt for years to come.
[1] Source: Lexington Herald-Leader
- As a testament to his dedication, Art Lander Jr., the retired outdoor writer, penned detailed pieces about outdoor-living in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio, offering insights into home-and-garden maintenance, marinas, and local wildlife habitats.
- Known for his expansive coverage, Lander wrote about Kentucky's furbearers, small game, songbirds, and various species in the state's reservoirs and small lakes, also addressing issues such as invasive and non-native species.
- Beyond his work with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Lander's output included articles that delved into outdoor activities for the entire family, providing valuable information on camping, hiking, and enjoying Northern Kentucky's natural beauty.
