Paris outdoorsman Steve McCadams is one of seven honorees being inducted into the national Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame Friday.

“I got lucky and got a nice honor,” said McCadams, who has been a part of the outdoors community for 33 years. “Some of the most prominent people in the outdoor world are in it. It’s nice to be in good company.”

McCadams will be recognized in a ceremony at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville.

Garry Mason, a nationally known hunting and fishing guide, founded the hall of fame six years ago. It is designed to recognize outdoor sportsmen who have played an integral role in setting the standards and guidelines for the rest of the outdoor world to follow, according to the organization’s Web site, www.legendsoftheoutdoors.com.

McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide. He also serves as outdoor columnist for The Post-Intelligencer and works as a freelance journalist for several outdoor magazines. His work has appeared in Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Sports Afield and The Saturday Evening Post, among other publications. He has appeared on and hosted several television shows.

He’s also frequently contacted for interviews by other writers researching hunting and fishing opportunities in the Kentucky Lake area.

“I’ve been written about and I’ve written,” said McCadams. “I’ve been on both sides of it.”

McCadams, who grew up in McKenzie, said that the outdoors has always been a part of his life, whether he was writing, teaching, guiding or just enjoying.

“My father was a big outdoorsman,” he said. “It was a way of life.”

McCadams received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Bethel College in McKenzie, intending to pursue a career as a game warden.

He started guiding at the lake part time and eventually made it his full-time job.

“I always wanted to be outdoors,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to make a living doing something I enjoy.”

McCadams also uses his expertise to help others.

As a cancer survivor, he sponsors an annual Casting for a Cure Kids Fishing Rodeo to benefit the American Cancer Society.

In addition, he is involved in coordinating the American Cancer Society benefit skeet and trap shoot, which will be held Aug. 25 at the Holly Fork Shooting Complex.

He also enjoys being able to help people through his weekly columns in The P-I and other writing outlets.

“You never know when you might do something to help somebody’s life or do something good for them,” he said.

McCadams said that being inducted into the hall of fame tells him that he is reaching people through his work.

“It’s nice to know people are reading your stuff,” he said, and he hopes to continue to be a trusted outdoorsman. “I keep a pulse on the outdoor life in the area.”

Others being inducted into the hall of fame include Alex Rutledge of Hunter’s Specialties; Larry Weishuhn of Thompson Center Arms; Tommy Akin, public relations director for Avery and Strike King; Pamela Martin-Wells, leading money winner from the Women’s BASS Tour; Larry Nixon, 1983 Bassmaster Classic winner; and Marion McCollum, owner of Macks Prarie Wings.