Resident Authors: “Sidetracks: 40 True Stories of Hunting and Fishing on Paths Less Traveled”

Joan Holman

Gary Oberg wasn’t expecting to have a bestseller when his book was published last year. Much to Gary’s surprise, his debut book Sidetracks: 40 True Stories of Hunting and Fishing on Paths Less Traveled has been getting great reviews and has become a bestseller consistently ranking as one of Amazon’s Top 100 Bestsellers in hunting and fishing and other categories. It even reached the #1 spot in the Sports Hunting and Sports Fishing categories.

A SaddleBrooke community member since 2010, Gary and his wife Ginny spend their time between their homes in Arizona and Minnesota. A retired engineer and entrepreneur, Gary’s goal for his book was to share some of his outdoor adventures primarily for the enjoyment of his family and friends.

Gary’s lifetime of outdoor experiences started when he was growing up on a farm in Minnesota. He learned to appreciate nature and her ways, and spent over six decades of his life fishing and hunting throughout North America. The book shares the autobiographical stories he has accumulated and the lessons they taught him.

An avid outdoor sportsman, Gary was willing to seek out “paths less traveled” and live on the edge, which lead to some pretty wild adventures that ranged from humorous to life threatening.

Gary is a member of the SaddleBrooke Writers Group and credits them with great support during his process of writing and publishing his book.

For more information, visit www.mysidetracks.com. The book is available for purchase at Amazon.com and other online retailers. And by the way, there is an actual photo of Gary in action taking a “sidetrack” on the front cover of the book.

“Sidetracks are full of rewards and prizes but only for those who are willing to face risks and endure discomfort. I’ve found this to be true not only for fishing and hunting, but for life in general. If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room.” –Gary Oberg.