Contributors to this thread:
If you had one book to carry with you on a hunt which would it be and why. I understand that some of you diehards don't read on a hunt or nap in your treestand. Well Bravo Zulu to you tuff guys. Just looking for some ideas on a good book. Thanks Chuck
The witchery of archery. I have a copy if you wanna borrow it. Very small it easily can fit in a pocket. I can put a picture or 2 in it:)
Chuck...they have meds for that:^)
I like the Victorias Secrets catalog and the Burpee Seed catalog.
Chuck,
I tried reading on stand one season - I carried Charles Henderson's "Marine Sniper" with me.
Problem was, the book was so good that I can't recall seeing much during the few days it took me to read it.
If I were to try it again, I'd go with Bob's idea and take the Burpee Seed Catalog or maybe Cummings and Worley's "Organizational Development and Change". You know, something that isn't a "page turner".
No time to read! I'm to busy hunting!
I might try an illustrated book though, I only look at the pictures. :)
I have the "Bible" app on my Iphone. Always a good read!
I'm old school version of Bowjo................I got the Sportsman's bible in camo! ;-)
I look at bowsite on my phone to read up on all the stuff I should be doing while hunting, like what I should be hunting with, what I should be wearing, and what I should use or not use to be a real hunter:)
Ok I won't have service where I am hunting. Seldom do where I hunt. Damn you guys need to get out of town and hunt some woods:) looking for something to help pass the hours when on backwoods or wilderness hunts. Marine Sniper was a good book.
My buddy Perry turned me onto a good read....a book titled "A Look At Life From a Deer Stand". I highly recommend it to any hunter or outdoorsman (or woman!)
I figure if I ever get bored enough of hunting that I felt compelled to read then it would make sense to do what Roy did, and just take up fishing on Bowsite. :)
Chuck,
Sounds like we may have similar tastes in reading. There's a book by Bernard Cornwell titled "Agincourt" that you might like. He also has a series of 3 books called "The Grail Quest" and those books in the series are titled "The Archers Tale", "Vagabond", and "Heretic". All of this books have some archery in the stories.
Keep em coming I'm making a list. "A look at life from the deer stand" intrigues me. Any good tales of adventure??
American sniper.....the movie is out now. I got to go see it, the book was awesome!
Yo Flat, if you'd be interested in a book that takes a slightly deeper look into hunting, here are a few jewels to consider...
Caution: they may not be the best books to take to a deer stand because they can be really hard to put down :^)
A Hunter's Heart - a collection of 42 short essays by various authors - collected by David Petersen
Coyote Soul, Raven Heart - by Reg Darling a Pa author(remember him here?)
Heartsblood - by David Petersen
The Practice of the Wild - by Gary Snyder
Bloodties - by Ted Kerasote
The Tender Carnivore and the Sacred Game - by Paul Shepard
In Defence of Hunting - by James A. Swan
To really keep you awake and on the edge of your seat climber....
Check out Peter Hathaway Capstick's books. He was a professional (gun)hunter in Africa and recounts some absolutely amazing encounters. You'd be glued to this sucker...
From the back of "Death in the Dark Continent"
- "Bone-chilling descriptions of man's encounters with dangerous game animals... make the most hardened hunting veteran cringe."
- "As the pages turn, breathing grows shallow, adrenalin is pumped into the veins, the palms sweat until the outcome is resolved and there is time to drag a handkerchief across a damp brow."
Death in the Dark Continent - by Peter Hathaway Capstick
Death in the Long Grass - by Peter Hathaway Capstick
Death in the Silent Places - by Peter Hathaway Capstick
Roger & Ben LOL!
As for me I am on my IPhone reading over the Buckeye big buck record books and P&Y entries! I spend down time on fantasy football websites picking my fanduel teams for the upcoming NFL week.
Seriously I like to do the live interactive hunts on bowsite from the Stand, it's fun.
As for books I like Dr Seuss the Lorax
Mike
"I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues"
LOL
Chuck
My favorite is Fred Anderson's "The Traditional Way".
It has short chapters filled with stories, history, and Fred's wry sense of humor. I get a real kick out of it every time I read it.
It's a paperback, not too big, and each chapter is its own story. Perfect for a hunt or trip.
I didn't say good for a treestand because we all know that reading and playing with your phone is not what real hunters do. :)
I'll bring it to Sticks on Sunday so you can see for yourself.
Ok I am really going to try and make it ssunday.
OK, ssee you on SSunday at SSticks.
Is that the Fred who shoots three fingers under?:)
I second Jeff's recommendation of "A Hunters Heart". It's one of my favorite books, and one every person should read at least once. I dug my copy out today, and found myself drawn in once more. After reading this book, you'll have a better understanding and insight of our place in the modern world as hunters.
First off a big thanks to Redbeastmaster. He was kind enough to loan me his signed copy of "The Traditional Way" I have been cruising thru the pages sometimes reading sections twice. I'm half way done with it and can't wait for a free moment to read another chapter. I don't care if you are diehard traditionalist or the latest gadget guru this book is a must read for any "Bowhunter/Woodsman" HOWEVER AND UNFORTUNATELY I can't recommend this book to everyone, especially many of the folks who post here. It's based on years of experience, trail and error, and opinion. There are no scientific studies done to prove Fred's theories. Just his thoughts based on years of experience, building bows, hunting, and input from some iconic archers. For example Fred believes that a heavy arrow shaft will penatrate better than a light one, and that hunting arrows should be made heavier. Mass over speed, Oh my the can of worms! He also has other theories about limb design the many would argue. So if your the type of hunter that prefers scientific studies, and statistics over experience you probably won't get this book:(
I'm working on getting a copy of a hunters heart next. Hope amazon has it
"Fifty Years a Hunter and Trapper". ISBN #0-936622-05-9 I have given copies of this book to people for over 20 years and have been thanked many many times. The latest recipient is a youth hunter and trapper that got a very nice buck with his bow in the Cabot, Pa. area this last season. This book should be part of PA. classroom material at the junior high level. It used to be hard to find but awhile back it was deemed to have historical significance and was reprinted. If you purchase one a read it I guarantee you will be getting a map of Pennsylvania out to look at where this cat was. It is the experiences of a mountain man, a hunter and trapper who earned his living hunting and trapping in the 1800's. His father operated a saw mill during the period Pa was being clearcut for lumber. The saw mill moved as the forest was cut. The wilderness the fellow operated in was central and western Pa. You can get it on amazon for about $15, you won't regret it. This is back in the time when bears were taken by leg hold traps. Once you start reading it you won't put it down.
Archer, I have that one. One of the best I've ever read. I've mentioned it on this site before and wondered if anyone had read it.
Phillip Thome... wasn't that his name? Lassoed native elk by hand up around Kinzua and other places and built rafts and floated them down river for money... I believe as far as Pittsburgh. I recognized some of the creeks and places he mentioned as those up around my camp in Potter.
Awesome book. It really paints some images in the mind's eye... especially when you can identify with the locales. I'm due to read it again.
I will order it this week! Thanks
Chuck,
FYI, Fifty Years a Hunter and Trapper" is available for free through Project Gutenberg if you're "into" the EBook thing (kindle, iphone, laptop, etc.)
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34063/34063-h/34063-h.htm
Very good Jeff, I am impressed. Actually Phillip Tome wrote a book called "Pioneer Life" first published in 1854 and also known as "Thirty Years a Hunter Trapper". Now all of you fellows with camps up in the big woods are aware that the area was inhabited by the Seneca Indians who now have a reservation and operate the casino in Salamanca New York. The great Seneca chief was Cornplanter with whom Phillip Tome rubbed elbows and had some dealings with. This book is also in my library and is a worthwhile read when time permits. E. N. Woodcock who is the main character in "Fifty Years a Hunter and Trapper" is just a more colorful character, an easy and interesting read. He is buried in Lymansville in Potter County. As a matter of fact Lymansville was named to honor his grandfather Isaac Lyman. Just to set the stage Flatlander.........There was an outdoor magazine called Hunter Trapper Trader and of course the magazine had an editor. The editor's mother was in an old age home and he stopped to visit her regularly during which he noticed an old man sitting in the sitting room gazing out a window. One day as he was leaving he had some time and decided to sit and say hello to the old man. One thing led to another and they discovered they both loved hunting and trapping. The old man shared a story and sure enough the next edition the editor shared the experience with his readers. The readers wrote letters to the editor wanting more so E. N. Woodcock became a featured article in each issue. One day the editor went to visit and the old man wasn't sitting at the window. The magazine became Fur Fish and Game or something like that. Anyway to honor the man who shared his life upon his death the editor took all of the articles and published the book. It used to be harder to obtain copies but in the 1980's the book was deemed to have historical significance and was reprinted.
Crow killer. Tom horn autobiography. Anything Louis l'amour.
Archer, you are correct sir. Pioneeer Life, or Thirty Years a Hunter is the book by Philip Tome, and is the one I have.
I just ordered Fifty Years a Hunter and Trapper. They are on ebay. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I think I'll read Pioneer Life again whilst I wait on the other :^)
Got "Fifty Years a Hunter and Trapper" a few days ago and I'm enjoying it so far. These are my favorite kinds of books. His family home was VERY close to my camp in Potter. No doubt we've tread some of the same ground.
I was born after my time.
I don't read a lot for pleasure (I do read a lot related to my profession). The following book, however, was great: Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West, written by Stephen Ambrose - biography of Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The book is based on journals and letters written by Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson and the members of the Corps of Discovery.
Just remember - these guys had no: GPS, DEET, GORE-TEX,Under Armour cold gear, etc, etc
I finished The Traditional Way and thought it was great. Especially Fred's adventures in the mountains. Big thanks to Red for loaning it to me.
Anybody read 50 Shades of Roy yet?
Flatlander, did you get your book?
No not yet, been focusing on some other stuff for the moment. Not much time to read.
