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       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.