As much as I try I am having a hard time locating topics of what is "Have To Read" books on traditional archery.
I use "Buckskin and Bone: Postgraduate whitetails" by Gene Wensel like a textbook. I consult it all the time, and my copy is dogeared and raggedy. Any serious deer hunter could greatly benefit, in my opinion. 3Rivers archery has a great selection of books.
Jake
"Become the arrow" by Byron Furgesson
The Witchery of Archery, Hunting with a Bow and Arrow, Hunting the hard way are my favorites.
For instruction G. Fred Asbells Advanced Instinctive shooting is great.
Edit: Can't forget Fred Bears Field Notes either.
Well, it really depends on what you are wanting out of them.
If you want a great read by a very obviously well written, worldly guy, get any of the bowhunting based books by E. Don Thomas. I believe I have read them all and I will be branching out to his other books soon. I really like his style with words.
His are stories of his experiences, one exception, the one titled "How Sportsmaen Saved the World", which is a read that should be required for all hunters and fishing persons. It is about our recent American history and very well presented.
Another author I have come to appreciate is David Petersen. Although if we were together for five minutes, there could be a bout of fisticuffs (I don't always agree with him and he often comes across as right, no matter what) I do like reading his words, he has a way with them. Actually, I would seriously like to meet him and share a campfire and a few amber libations and actually MEET him. He also tells of his experiences as well as the results of some of his research time.
If you are a real glutton, try reading Meditations on Hunting, by Gassett. I did it (finally) and all I can say is. . wow. Amber libations before and during help with this one.
Of course, there is The Witchery of Archery, and A Sand County Almanac, both classics.
And there are a whole book rack full of others that a good reads, again, depending upon what you seek.
Good luck
ChuckC
I second Buckskin and Bone. I have read it countless
times, and is a staple in my whitetail pack for those long sits..
To reiterate some of what Chuck said.
Don Tomas is one of the best current day authors on traditional bowhunting and a number of other hunting and fishing fields.
The Sand County Almanac is the best book ever written on humans' relationship with the land. Sadly, for the most part, we've failed to learn from its observations or heed its warnings.
Meditations on Hunting by Gasset is one of the best treatises on this topic. For those who find it difficult to put into words why they hunt, or explain hunting to non-hunters, this short treatise puts it into words. He is the author of the often non attributed quote, "Man does not hunt in order to kill, he kills in order to have hunted." I didn't find I needed libations before or after on this one, well at least not because of the philosophy.
Enjoy.
Hunting the Hard Way is on the top of the list and just looking for the best deal on a Hard Copy.
Nother vote for Buckskin and Bone, but for sheer enjoyment my fav. is Once Upon a Tine.
Don Thomas is a great writer and an accomplished hunter. His stuff is extremely readable.
I like Fred Asbell's stuff; informative and very readable.
Pope's Hunting with Bow and Arrow is another good read, and everything I have read either by or about Howard Hill is entertaining. Ditto for Fred Bear.
Who is the Author of "Once Upon a Time" When I Google it get a bunch of fairy tales. Not that there is anything wrong with that:)
My favorites are in order. The Witchery of Archery, The Old Bowhunter, Hunting the Hard Way, Pope's Hunting with the Bow and Arrow. I feel Sand County Almanac should be read by every hunter.
QuoteOriginally posted by tracker12:
Who is the Author of "Once Upon a Time" When I Google it get a bunch of fairy tales. Not that is anything wrong with that:)
Once upon a TINE :biglaugh: by Barry Wensel
ISHI AND ELVIS by Jim Hamm
Bows on the little delta, by Glenn St Charles, Longbows in the far north and longbow country by Donall Thomas.
The Jay Massey books.
I always enjoy stories of Fred Bear, a great read.
Tracker12: You just won yourself a freebie of "Once Upon A TINE". PM me your USPS mailing address and I'll pop one in the mail for you. Happy New Year! BW
Whitetail Magic, In pursuit of trophy whitetails, and Whitetail Masters
I made one of my employees listen to Pope's Hunting with the Bow and Arrow broadcasted over the paging system in the store last night.
I think he actually enjoyed it :-)
Bows of the little delta
Just another old bowhunter
A man made of elk
45 Unforgetable Bowhunters
Sand country almanac
Just a few, next id like to read fred bear field notes, Buckskin and bone, stalking and still hunting and One with the wilderness heard nothing but great things about ALL these books.
Fred Bears Field Notes....Rothaar's "In Pursuit of Trophy Whitetails" to name a couple.
Barry
You are way to gracious. Thanks for the offer. Email coming.
I guess I need to read a little more carefully. My wife and I have tears in our eyes we have been laughing so hard at my stupidity.
Very Nice Uncle B !! Tracker, your gunna love that book.
No problem Trucker12... it's just that I laughed out loud when I read "Fairy tales... not that there's anything wrong with that." You have a way with words. Ha. bw
Not traditional archery but a great book to read.
Death in the Long Grass
Peter Capstick
"A Thousand Rivers" by Jay Massey.
As Kopper1013 mentioned above. "Just Another Old Bowhunter" by Tom Kidwell is a great read of short traditional bowhunter stories.
I recently read "Coyote Soul, Raven Heart" by Reg Darling and enjoyed it very much. I would also recommend "One With The Wilderness" by Mike Mitten, plus all of Dave Peterson's and Fred Asbell's books.
Jon
Hunting From Home by Chris Camuto. It is not solely hunting with bow and arrow but the entire format and writing is excellent. He captures the essence of why we spend so much time in the outdoors much as Aldo Leopold did. I highly recommend this book.
Love these threads! My list:
Stalking and Still Hunting by Asbell
Hunting the Hard Way and Wild Adventure by Hill
Adventurous Bowmen and Ishi the last Yahi by Pope
Fred Bears Field Notes
One with the Wilderness by Mike Mitten
Sagitarius by Swineheart (all time favourite)
anything by Don Thomas
There are many still on my want list:
From the den of the old bowhunter - Stevenson
Bows on the Little Delta - wife bought me for Christmas, haven't got to it yet.
Lions in the Path - Stewart Edward White
Anything written by either of the Wensel's has to be an entertaining read.
Longbow - Campbell
I cannot wait for Monty Browing's book to become a reality and hopefully, some day the long awaited Paul Schaefer book.
I enjoyed reading "The Sound of the String" fictional but a good book. I gave it away on a bow trade, hopefully it is getting passed around to fellow tradgangers.
My Neck Of The Woods: Bryce Lambley
Just finished 2nd time Once upon a tine, Barry Wensel. Great read!! Started 2nd time. Buckskin and Bone. Gene Wensel. Both Barry and Gene are exceptional at what they do and get it down on paper in a way that's fun to read.
Don Thomas
Jay Massey
Glenn St. Charles
Fred Bear
Jay Campbell
Roger Rothaar
Mike Mitten
Just to name a few that I have.
I thoroughly enjoyed Fred Anderson's book, "The Traditional Way".
Also, Bows on the Little Delta" and Fred Bear's Field Notes were great reading.
I am surprised no one has mentioned the compilation of TBM articles one of the Wensels put together years ago. It is a great mix of some of the best articles from the beginning of TBM with a good mix of how to and hunting articles.
I also would recommend any books from Barry Lopez or Rick Bass, not hunting books, just great books about the environment and different subjects about the west
i agree on most of the above and will add a newer one by Mark Baker. "Tension on the string" it is very well writen
I have to agree about Uncle Barry's book "Once Upon a Tine". I've read it 2 or 3 times. Has lots of hilarious stories! I re-read it mostly for a good laugh! Think I'll go dig it out now!
Hunting rutting white tails by some unknown bow hunter and a thousand campfires.
Mike Mitten's "One with the Wilderness" is Great...
No one has mentioned Clay Hayes' book, "Traditional Bowhunting"...short, but a good read.