Don Thomas????

[Tilzbow]

I'll start this off by saying I'm old enough to understand all good things must come to an end and there will be unknown others that take their place who we will grow to appreciate just as much. I sit here listening to The Dave Matthews Band wondering when they will release their next studio album and I'm also wondering if Don will write one more book dedicated to the love of traditional archery. I hope both aren't done.... (I know most of you have have never heard of DMB but they're one of my all time favorites so you'll have to deal with it. I love listening to Willy Nelson, Charlie Daniels Band and U2 and they may all be done but we won't go there...)

I can't express enough gratitude to Don Thomas for his traditinal archery books; "Longbows in the Far North", "Longbow Country" and the "Double Helix". I remember sitting in an antelope blind several years ago reading one of Don's stories about moose hunting to my young nephew and watching him shake with anticipation as the climax drew near. It got worse when the real action started and although I never got him into archery I know he'd love it if he had the time. He's now defending our country and I hope he's back soon. Speaking of hoping someone comes back soon I'm hoping Don finds the time to pen one more book about traditional archery.

Don,
What's the word?

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Those books are magic, indeed!

[Precurve]

I contacted Don about a year ago with this same request; Don said he had lots of material for a new book along the lines of Long Bows in the Far North, but his publisher told him it wouldn't sell!!  I told him to find a way to print it himself or find a new publisher because I'm sure this would be a red hot item.  Can't believe every trad archer wouldn't want this book.

[killinstuff]

"To All Things a Season", his best book IMO. I can't beleive TBM wouldn't publish a new book. Off subject, someone should look into publishing some of the out of print stuff by the likes of Jay Massie and others. Jay's books are going for over $100 used.

[alligatordond]

I, like many of you, long for another Don Thomas bowhunting book. I'm not going to hold my breath. From what I have heard, bowhunting books just don't sell well and can easily be money losing endeavors. I believe Gene Wensel posted once that he has a garage full of "The Best of Traditional Bowhunter" and has yet to cover expenses with it.

For whatever reason, flyfishing and wingshooting books do well and I think that is where Don is focusing his attention, and rightfully so.

Now if the Trad Ganger's were to ante up and sponsor a book....

killinstuff- I tend to agree with you on "To All Things a Season" especially the epilogue.

[Labs4me]

By now most of you are aware of my other passion. FYI, DT's writings on hunting labs is just as entertaining as his prose on hunting with trad gear. Whether you bird/duck hunt or not, most would find his books on labs a relaxing way to pass an evening or two until he does come out with another trad book- if ever.

Speaking of E. Donnal, many are aware that DT is an MD. But did you know that his father, DT senior was awarded the NOBEL PRIZE for his contribution to medicine. Apparently Don comes from good stock.

I met him once at a trad expo some time ago. Noticing that he was spitting into a cup I asked, "You're not chewing tobacco are you?" To that he replied, "Yes I am, but it's o.k. cuz I'm a doctor." LMAO.

[VTer]

Don's writings are great. I too would love to read another. The only other book that equals Don's is "Bows on the Little Delta", love the history of that book.

[Steve H.]

A couple notes that aren't completly relevent, LOL.

You can also routinely read Don's writings in Ducks Unlimited and Alaska Magazine among other places commonly mentioned.

Cliff Huntington will soon be self-publishing unprinted works of Maurice Thompson and bring those unknown gems to the World.  That will be a good day for us inflicted with "Classic Toxophilia".

I understand that Gene maybe didn't do the "mopst thorough" job of marketing that TBM collection plus keep in mind, I understand they were all just reprints of what many of us have from old TBM's.

[bohuntr]

I am with you guys on this for sure. Just got a small cabin finished that has a wood burning stove. I have all Don's books out there as well as a few others. Spent a cuople really enjoyable days out there this winter reading, listening to the roar of the stove and watching the snowfall outside. Also had a few adult beverages. All in all a pretty damn good way to spend an afternoon. I second the the comment about Don's writing about labs and upland bird hunting, just as good as the bowhunting stuff!

[alligatordond]

Steve is right about Don's writings. I'm reading some of Don's new flyfishing stuff as well as "By Dawn's Early Light". He's also in Gray's and a variety of flyfishing magazines regularly.

I really like the Best of TBM. Even though I had read most it was good to have them in a single volume. Gave a few away to some of my wheel shooting friends with good reviews.

[StanM]

Tilzbow,

You've got good taste    I've got "Crash" in the truck right now.  I also like Don's writings and find myself rereading them over and over.  He's still plenty young, hopefully he'll come up with a couple more.

Stan

[Labs4me]

In his book entitled, "My kindom for a Lab", Don recounts a story about tossing one of his Labs into the back seat of a Super Cub and flying to a remote duck hunting cabin somewhere in southeast Alaska, landing on a make-shift runway, and worrying about brown bears on the way to his hunting spot.

Certainly a story that would capture the imagination of all hunters, regardless of the weapon they happen to carry afield or the animals they pursue.

[Ibow]

Don Thomas will be the speaker at MI Traditional Bowhunters Banquet in just a couple weeks.

http://www.mitraditionalbow.com/mtb_activities.shtml

Like so many others, I've got all his books and he has to be my all time favorite traditional bowhunting author. His books have a way of putting you right there with him.

[Labs4me]

Ibow thanks for the heads up.

BTW, I looked for you around the Widow booth at K-zoo but I must have missed ya.

[alligatordond]

Hey Labs, Sounds a bit like the first chapter of Dawn's Early Light.

[Labs4me]

Alligatordond:

You know, actually, I think it's in both. Of course if you and your dog fly to your duck hunting spot, you're entitled to include the story in more than one book.

[jacobsladder]

monty...the black widow booth had a sweet pulling 42#er i almost bought..... tulip wood limbs....she was a beauty!    

[alligatordond]

I'll second that.

[Ibow]

Labs ... I looked for you as well on Saturday but it was pretty crazy. We had my daughter/son in law and the twins down on Saturday and it was a little tough doing anything but looking after the boys.    

Come to the Banquet in a couple weeks - you'll enjoy it.

And yeah ... they had some beautiful bows at that Widow booth last weekend.

[J-dog]

I enjoy labs as well and was surprised to find his writings on them. He is just dagned good writer. period. I do hope he writes more.

J