Identifier
MA 5
Dates
1935-1978
Extent
6.53 linear feet (8 document cases, 2 oversize boxes)
Abstract
Bert John Popowski (1904–1982) was a writer, photographer, and expert hunter known for his contributions to outdoor literature and wildlife conservation. A graduate of South Dakota State College, he authored over 2,300 articles and several books, including Hunting Pronghorn Antelope. He contributed to major publications like The American Rifleman and The Outdoorsman and gained national recognition as a hunter, innovator, and award-winning photographer. In 1979, he donated his works to South Dakota State University, where he was honored as the "Dean of South Dakota Outdoor Writers."
The collection, spanning 1935–1978, includes manuscripts, published articles, research materials, correspondence, and visual content. Highlights include writings on big game hunting, conservation, and outdoor techniques; award-winning photographs; illustrations for Crow Shooting; and a phonograph record, Crow Calling, reflecting his expertise in crow hunting. This collection offers valuable insight into mid-20th-century hunting culture, wildlife management, and outdoor journalism.
Historical Note
Bert John Popowski was born on February 15, 1904, in Grafton, North Dakota, where he spent his childhood and completed his elementary and high school education. He attended South Dakota State College in Brookings, graduating in 1926 with a Bachelor of Science degree in printing. In 1930, he married Harriet Seymour of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and they had two sons, John Seymour, and Jerome Bert.
Throughout his life, Bert lived in various parts of the United States and held a range of jobs, including high school principal and associate editor for Look magazine. From 1951 until his passing in 1982, he worked as a freelance writer, author, and contributing editor for numerous publications. Over the course of a prolific career spanning half a century, he authored more than 2,300 articles. His first feature story appeared in Outdoor Life in 1931. He served as a contributing editor for The American Rifleman, writing the "Dope Bag" column, and contributed columns such as "Hunting" for The Outdoorsman, "Guns and Ammunition" for Hunting & Fishing, and "The Shot Tower" for Guns and Hunting. He gained national recognition for his classic book Hunting Pronghorn Antelope and authored several other major works, some of which were translated into Spanish and Japanese. An award-winning photographer, Bert often illustrated his articles and books with his own images.
In his early years, Bert became known as an expert varmint hunter, and his books helped popularize this type of hunting. In 1932, he built a log cabin near the Narrows on French Creek in Custer State Park, where he weathered the Great Depression and focused on his writing. In 1949, he won the National Crow Shooting Championship, using crow calls of his own design to best 51 other contestants. Beyond hunting, Bert was deeply interested in natural history and wildlife management.
In 1979, Bert donated a collection of his books, original manuscripts, and photographs to his alma mater, South Dakota State University. He was honored at the Outdoor Writers Association of America convention in Rapid City when the State of South Dakota presented him with a special award as the "Dean of South Dakota Outdoor Writers." In the 1980s, Bert battled cancer and suffered a stroke that led to his hospitalization. He passed away on February 14, 1982, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a writer, photographer, and advocate for wildlife and outdoor pursuits.
Content Notes
This collection documents the career and work of Bert Popowski as an author and hunter, highlighting his contributions to the fields of hunting, wildlife, and conservation. The materials span from 1935 to 1978, with a significant portion consisting of articles authored by Popowski on topics ranging from big game and varmint hunting to conservation and safety. The research material series is the largest, containing published articles in various hunting and wildlife publications, including an autographed copy of The Outdoorsman (June 1947) featuring Popowski’s article “Off-Season Duck Hunting.”
The collection includes a wide range of manuscripts accompanied by correspondence with publishers and records of submissions, publication status, and payments received. Manuscripts cover diverse subjects such as hunting techniques, wildlife, firearms, and conservation. Also included are materials related to Popowski’s books, such as illustrations by Gordon Elliott for Crow Shooting (29 ink drawings) and photograph proofs for Hunting Pronghorn Antelope (37 pages). Additional artwork features a mat board drawing of a fireplace, believed to depict Popowski’s cabin, created by C. Greenidge.
The general materials include correspondence from 1942–1956, as well as photographs, illustrations, and a phonograph record titled Crow Calling, which features Popowski demonstrating crow calls. The photographs include black-and-white images of wildlife and hunting, negatives, and a set of 22 matted and signed photographs that won first prize at the Iowa State Fair.
Another unique feature of the collection is Popowski’s contributions to the Japanese magazine Modern Hunting (1968–1970), which includes translated articles and writings on hunting techniques. The phonograph record further illustrates Popowski’s expertise and contributions to hunting practices.
The collection provides a comprehensive look at Popowski’s career, offering insight into mid-20th-century hunting culture, techniques, and the conservation movement through his writings, photographs, and artistic collaborations.
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Language
English
Publisher
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Rights
In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, publicity, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.
Recommended Citation
SDSU Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, "Popowski, Bert Papers" (2025). Archives Finding Aids. 4.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/archives_finding_aids/4
