“Self-Portrait with Alphie” - Steve Hickoff (acrylic)
Steve Hickoff earned a bachelor's degree in creative writing and the humanities from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, and, with a full scholarship and teaching assistantship, an M.A. in the University of New Hampshire’s writing program, studying under the poet and essayist Charles Simic.
Hickoff has contributed to numerous print publications and digital platforms over the years. A prolific writer, author, editor, and artmaker, his work spans both literary and sports genres.
His poetry has appeared in The Quarterly: The Magazine of New American Writing (Gordon Lish, editor), Country Journal (Donald Hall, poetry editor), Gray’s Sporting Journal, The Penguin Review, Pinchpenny, Pinhole Poetry, Pulsebeat Poetry Journal, Turnstile, and others.
He also co-wrote lyrics to “Drivin’ on 9” using lines of poetry from one of his notebooks, a song first recorded by Ed’s Redeeming Qualities, later covered by The Breeders on the platinum-certified album Last Splash.
Hickoff has published books on fly fishing (Wilderness Adventures Press), wild turkeys (Stackpole Books), the Pittsburgh Steelers (Triumph Books), along with poetry chapbooks and collections.
He’s been a newspaper outdoor columnist and feature writer for Foster’s Daily Democrat/Foster’s Sunday Citizen, and a regular contributor to prominent sporting magazines such as Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Turkey Call, and many more. His photos and illustrations often accompany assignment packages.
His editorial roles have included realtree.com, as turkey hunting editor, and as poetry editor of Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine.
Hickoff’s teaching for the University System of New Hampshire has included courses such as Creative Writing (Star Island), Major American Poets, Magazine Writing and Editing, Nature Writing & the Environment, Sports Writing, Short Fiction, and others.
He’s received Granite State College’s Distinguished Faculty Award, given in recognition of teaching excellence, and the NWTF’s Tom Kelly Communicator of the Year Award for his long-standing commitment to sharing the wild turkey conservation success story.
Born and raised in north-central Pennsylvania, he lives in Maine.
“Flow” - Steve Hickoff (watercolor & ink)
“My morning routine is to write (and draw) in my notebook. It centers me for the day. I use a pen or pencil. I do whatever I want. I just let the words come. Thoughts roll out on the page. Sometimes an entire poem might emerge from it. Or just a line or two. I never know what to expect. I love that, the surprises. Poem possibilities come while away from my desk, too. The existential randomness of sudden observations. I carry a small notebook and pen for those.”
- Steve Hickoff, Pinhole Poetry Interview, April 2026
“One of the great sporting scribes of yesteryear, Archibald Rutledge, wrote: ‘Some men are mere hunters; others are turkey hunters.’ Steve Hickoff is a staunch representative of the latter clan and a turkey hunter for all seasons. In this book he takes us back to the sport’s roots, fall and winter turkey hunting, shares shrewd insight based on decades in the turkey woods in fall and spring, and does so with consistent literary grace. Whether you are looking for advanced tactical advice or some delightful armchair adventure, this is a work to be sampled, savored, and stored in a prominent place on your library shelves.”
—Jim Casada
“Franco made the play because he never quit on the play. He kept running. He kept hustling. Good things happen to those who hustle.”
—Chuck Noll, commenting on the Immaculate Reception
“I know that I was part of something very unique in the history of the game. … We were the baddest dudes who ever did it on defense.”
—Dwight White, recalling the Steel Curtain
Contact
Copyright © 2025-2026
Steve Hickoff
All rights reserved