Ok, I have been to busy to do much reading but I am in the mood to start a new book. I want to read one on trad bowhunting but there are so many choices I dont really know what to go with. I have read "Campfire Reflections", and "Longbows In The Far North." And I know you are going to say it depends what I feel like reading about because they all seem different, but I really don't have a preference right now, I just want to see if there is one that really stands out as being a great read. Thanks in advance, and I hope to see everyone here at ETAR this weekend!
I started a thread about this a while back, let me do some searching and link it here. there was a lot of great books listed.........
well that went quicker than I thought it would...
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=074694#000000
If you want a book rich in history and with stories that won't let you put it down then The Witchery of Archery is it. The Thompsons were the first non native to hunt much of the land in the story.
Try David Peterson's "Man Made of Elk" or "The Hunter's Heart: Honest Essays on Bloodsport". I thoroughly enjoyed both of these books. You can get them at tradbow.com and Dave's website. I actually bought my copy of "The Hunter's Heart" at Barnes and Noble!
I'll second a MAN MADE OF ELK by Dave2old - I'm readin' it for the 5+ time just because I like it!
I recently finished ONE WITH THE WILDERNESS by Herdbull and strongly recommend that one as well.
Both are in my library to stay!
Shoot straight, Shinken
Tom kidwell has a new book out just another old bowhunter,went like wild fire at atar.great read,also mike mitten's book is good,saxton popesbook was a good read.
Bryce Lambley's "My Neck of the Woods" is also a good read..
ONE WITH THE WILDERNESS... Great Book...
How about "Bows on the Little Delta" by Glenn St. Charles. Best book I have read in a very long time.
Look for Tom Kidwell's "Just another Old Bowhunter". A great read. He'll be at ETAR this weekend.
Mike Mitten's "One with the Wilderness" is a new "Classic". Very hard to put down!!
One With the Wilderness is the best book I've read in a long time.
Trailing a Bear by Bob Munger is one I enjoyed also.
No offense to the author but I've read Man Made of Elk and didn't care for it at all. Seemed preachy to me but that may just be me.
Alternatively, Fred Bear's Field Notes is very interesting and is written in bite-size chunks so it's easy to pick up and put down when needed.
All of the Asbell books are great if you are looking for something instructional.
The Hill books (at least Wild Adventure and Hunting the Hard Way) weren't exactly what I expected, but I loved them anyway - very inspirational stuff.
The Traditional Bowhunter's Handbook, I found to be a great mix of informative and inspirational.
Of course the classics are always appropriate - Hunting With the Bow and Arrow and (as has been mentioned) The Witchery of Archery are both must reads.
Lol - this probably didn't help you narrow your list much, but there's lots of good stuff out there to read.
These aren't trad archery related, but I've also enjoyed everything I've ever read by either Ruark or Capstick (just mentally substitute the word 'bow' whenever you see 'gun' - heh).
Reg Darling writes a good book. Coyote Soul Raven Heart.
Backwoods Bucks by David Bickish is excellent, as is Whitetail Magic by R. Rothaar
"Ishi and Elvis" is one of my favorites by Jim Hamm.
Elkheart, by Dave Petersen.
If your a deer hunter and want an "educational" book Gene Wensels book "Come November" is terrific. He mentions things which I have never even thought of before and shares his knowledge of the species with you - I have read several books from differnet authors trying to help hunters, hunt. This is "bar none" the best of the rest.
A Man Made of Elk helped me to put words to the feelings about and reasons why I hunt and only with trad gear. Following that vein I'm finishing up Heartsblood also by David Petersen and have The Tender Carnivore and the Sacred Game by Paul Shepard on the way now.
"A man made of elk" by Dave Peterson has to be right up there, as does "Whitetail Magic" by Roger Rothhar and "Longbow Country" by Don Thomas. If you can find a copy, "Bowhunting Rutting Whitetails" by Gene Wensel set the standard many years ago. If not, read his "Come November" book. There are a lot of winners out there...devour them all! Let's all remember that Barry Wensel is working on a book right now. I'm sure that'll be a winner,too.
Gene Wensel will have a new book out shortly as well. In the mean time, I suggest Petersen's "Man Made of Elk" for a thought provocing and elk educational read. Bryce Lambley's "My Neck of the Woods" is a diverse read that takes you all over North America while exporing the hunts of many species. Mike
I second "Bows on the Little Delta",Mr St Charles
is one of the real pioneers who helped us get the
archery seasons we enjoy today.He's also a darn fine
storyteller.
Ross
Sagittarius by Bob Swinehart
Longbow Country by E. Donnel Thomas
Bows,Swamps,and Whitetails by Tim L. Lewis
Not trad, but a great short story is
The Old People by William Faulkner.
"Bows on the Little Delta". Of the small collection of books that I have on traditional archery, this one is a really great read.
Aaron