Passion For Guns and Hunting

Hemingway hunting in East Africa. 

From the 1920's to 1960's, fine guns and safari hunting were a mark of status and something everyone talked about. Ernest Hemingway's grandfather had been a soldier and Civil War veteran who fought in many infantry divisions, dealing with guns almost everyday of his life. Hemingway's father was also an active hunter as well, who went on many hunting adventures and was seen as a successful hunter. An accomplished outdoors man, Hemingway had learned how to handle a gun at a very young age, and held the title of being an accomplished hunter, so there is no doubt that Ernest grew up to follow his family's tradition of being in the outdoors and hunting. The greater influence for his passion of guns and hunting was from president Theodore Roosevelt who was also known as the hunting president. Roosevelt had worked on a ranch at youth, and after leaving office, he went on safari hunts in East Africa, just as Hemingway did with his wife. Hemingway was so impressed by Roosevelt and his lifestyle that, as time went on, it became very clear to people that president Roosevelt was the one who shaped Ernest Hemingway to be that huge hunting, conservative type of guy. Ernest Hemingway's interest in hunting sports varied between two distinct ones. It was Pheasant and Duck shooting. During Hemingway's second major hunt in 1954 is where he became quite the professional hunter and flourished. He was widely known by other popular hunters, and was seen on many newspaper covers and sports articles for catching the biggest animal and winning huge prizes. He had dedicated so much time and effort, as this was something he, proverbially speaking, died for and loved so much. This was what he did on his free time, and was really good at it.

Hemingway doing what he does best! Hunting!!