Antlers is a heartfelt collection of fictional stories set in the mountains and high deserts of Wyoming. They are hunting stories, for sure, but probably not the hunting stories you might expect! The stories revolve around a few relatable characters struggling with their priorities and choices, and doing their best to get life right. The stories are woven through with family, with heritage, and with the the quiet lessons both taught and learned in the context of the hunt. They celebrate the legacy and spirit that keeps hunters returning to the field year after year.
“Marty writes extraordinarily well. His wonderfully effective visual word-pictures bring both people and wilderness to life.”
— Leon Parson, SAA, Distinguished Wildlife Artist
“Marty is an excellent writer who uses stunning imagery and a warm, familiar tone to bring readers into his world.”
— Breanna Call, Ever Editing LLC
“Excellent work! Marty’s descriptions of the Wyoming backcountry hit home to me. This book is easy to relate to — well done!”
— Roy Yardley, Lifelong outdoorsman and hunter
“A must-read for just about everyone. The stories kept me turning the pages. The best book I’ve read in many years.”
— Dennis Aldinger, Lifelong outdoorsman and hunter
Marty D. Short’s stories reflect the wild backcountry of the Rocky Mountain West — places seldom seen, but vivid in memory. He has lived close to the land that fills his stories. As a lifelong outdoorsman, horseman, and hunter, he learned
early that truly knowing the back country comes from miles traveled on foot and horseback, from time spent in timber and high basins, from glassing and tracking, and from following obscure trails in the days before onX.
Those experiences appear naturally in his writing. When Marty
describes a storm rolling over a ridge, or a long climb with a trusted horse, he isn’t imagining it — he’s remembering it. The wilderness in his stories is not a backdrop; it’s a living character. His connection to this country is what gives his work its honesty, humility, and warmth.
Marty’s stories draw from the values he learned growing up: faith, respect for wildlife, stewardship of the land, and the responsibility that comes with a successful hunt. His writing reflects the belief — shared by generations of hunters — that time in the mountains is never just about taking an animal. It’s about understanding the country, strengthening friendships, and passing down traditions that matter.
The fictional characters and settings that appear in the stories draw on nearly 60 years of experience in spectacular country with a beloved collection of mentors, friends, and family. Together, these experiences create more than hunting tales. Marty writes about what the mountains give back — perspective, resilience, gratitude, and stories worth remembering. Antlers invites readers to step into that world: to walk a little farther, see a little deeper, and feel the country the way he has known it for a lifetime.
These are a few of the places that live inside Marty’s stories — canyons and ridges where miles are earned on foot or horseback, and where the country has a way of sending you home with more than you came for.
Quiet basins and distant ridgelines where big country feels endless.
Long miles on a good horse, carrying stories home from the backcountry.
Hidden gems in the high country for those who seek them out.
