the very best that I have read on the subject of hunting ...
349728
This series of books, The Whitetail Hunters Almanac By Ken Nordberg, is without question, the very best that I have read on the subject of hunting north country bucks.  Unfortunately, at least one (of course my favorite) is no longer in print.  I can only hope that it will be available again one day.  Dr. Nordbergs books on "Portable Stump Hunting," and "Mid Hunt Cruising," completely changed the way I hunt.  In fact, it completely changed the way that I see the woods, and approach deer season each fall.  After reading these books (and applying the new found knowledge in the woods) I have put together a collection of bucks that I could only dream about way back when.  I do not miss an opportunity to recommend these books to my friends.  All of the books are good, science based writings, but the two I mentioned above, changed everything for me.  For the price, I would call the entire series a "must have," for any serious deer hunter.
1660636
This was really an enjoyable book to read.  However the title really should be "Chris' Whitetail Adventures" or something like that.  It's a very personal narrative of 3 months of hunting on a budget.  The book is laced with plenty of advice to help the hunter interested in hunting new locations on a budget.

Chris is quite eloquent and writes from his heart.  He goes a little overboard on minute details sometimes, but it helps to convey his love for bowhunting and the part that small details play in bowhunting success.

Strangely absent is any mention of John Eberhart, Chris' father and his co-author on two previous bowhunting books.
970833
There are few than can write about hunting better than Dr. Swan.  I have read all his books and all are excellent.  This one is his best.  A must read for anyone that hunts.
3964341
A very good read.  The first book I've read that was written by a naturalist.  After I purchased it, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it. I was really mistaken.  I wasn't half way into the first chapter and I was hooked.  Couldn't put it down.  For the Turkey hunter, it gives tons of insightful information on the behaviors of this great bird that we love to chase.  The book was very well written and easily kept my interest. I highly recommend this read to all who love wild turkey hunting and to all who love wildlife and the outdoors.
962006
Mark does a great job of sharing the highs and lows of mountain hunting. This book is well written by a very accomplished and dedicated hunter who remains grounded and humble despite his vast experiences.
4915081
Scott Haugen certainly knows his stuff and puts a great deal of energy and effort into this book.  Almost any turkey hunter should be able to gain at least a few insights by reading this book, although the novice who hunts primarily private land has the most to gain.  I'm a public land hunter with a few years under my belt and Scott's aggressive, gear heavy approach clashes a bit with my minimalistic approach and experiences with pressured, call shy birds.  I still learned quite a few things from this book.  Excerpts that Scott published in magazines inspired me to start using mouth calls, which have allowed me to harvest both of my mature public land toms.
1251653
The author describes his hunting experience in pristine Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in  the early 1800's with muzzle loading firearms and hounds. Has very detailed hunting and exploring voyages inside Ceylon's forests and parks, abounding with game as elephants, boar, deer and bear. The fist part of the book describes elephant hunting with primitive muzzle loading rifles, second part describes hunting deer and boar with hounds and knives.
The stories are written with the british era "sportsman" view but the detailed description of the slaying of hundreds of elephants in a week is nothing short of a slaughter from our modern standards.
Disregarding the outrageous numbers of game taken, the hunting and exploration descriptions of Baker are awesome to the reader that can imagine the beautifull country  that apeared to the eyes of early british "sportsmen".
2803283
A book beautifully organized for a journey through the traditional world of the fox hunt.  The concepts are tried and true but have a  modern update for the American fox hunt.  This book makes a great introduction to the role of the huntsman and thus gives the field a clear and practical understanding of the job at hand.  This book should be required of those joining a recognized hunt club or for those who would like to know more because they are a landowner or "follower".  "Letters to a Young Huntsman" makes an excellent gift for those who want to know more about this sport.
3156559
Unlike the other reviewer, I liked the fact that Phillips used the successes/failures of a variety of hunters to grace his pages.  I've read hunting-authors who come across as 'too good to be true;' Phillips does not.

The beauty of this book, to me, was the offering of different viewpoints on the same sport.  I was able to use my miniscule experience-base and select the things that seemed most reasonable.

I believe this is a book for beginners and maybe some intermediate turkey hunters.  Hunting turkeys can be frustrating because of their variances in behaviors.  This book offers ideas for many of the quirks and responses the turkey will offer the hunter.
1304667
When it comes to manuals they are all going to lack the perfect amount of detail.  However, Rinella's first volumes goes above and beyond with what can be expected from the literature of hunting.  In all truth nothing can truly substitute real life hunting experience but this book is a fantastic first step.  It goes over all of the important basics and makes sure to include just enough detail.  This would be great for the beginner or the father looking to teach a son.  A necessary item in the home bookshelf for sure.  Can't wait for volume two!
4458589
I found the information in the Whitetail Addicts Manual to be very informative and applicable to Minnesota/Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Last year was my first year deer hunting by myself (archery & gun) and I attribute my success to the knowledge gleaned from this book. This book provided me with detail information on typical deer pattern and how weather affects deer movement. I can honestly say that this book probably gave me a couple years worth of experience simply by reading it.
110072
If you're going to southern Africa hunting or have been then you'll read this in one day, cover to cover, and relate to every word. I hunted April 2014 and am going back next June and this book confirmed my thoughts and conclusions regarding the PH's (they are phenominal).  While public-land hunting is no longer legal in Botswana or Namibia, the best hutning is legal Safari/trophy hunting in those countries on the huge private ranches with some of the worlds best Professional Hunters and Trackers. Do what the book says (regarding the advice from the PH's) and you'll have the greatest hunting experience left on this planet.
706317
I have been hunting Eastern's for just three years and in those few years I have made many mistakes.  In The TURKEY SEASON, you will learn from the best, not only what they did right but what they did wrong.  The book covers Spring and Fall hunts.  Birds from the North South, East and West.  Gun or Bow, with decoys, dogs, solo or in teams.  I subscribe to five hunting magazines annually as well as a member of NATF. This one book teaches more than all of those articles and years of reading combined.
  Buy this one book. on't give it away after you are done reading it. Reread it often, before a hunt that involves a special circumstance.  Deffinately after a hunt, if you messed up and made a mistake
1771624
That is the name of the game, who can do it successfully.  This is a skill that typically isn't practiced, as we get a job and then don't have to worry about the hunting again, at least for a while.  What a great thing to have on hand for the next time.  And in our current state of world, it seems to be happening more and more as we all hunt for the best we can get.
Great tips with real world examples that connect the reader to the situation.
4470733
Very well written and documented! The best I have read on the subject!
1894971
Reading Proper's book is like hunting with one's favorite relative, if that person were also well traveled, learned, and above all, entertaining in the best sense.  There aren't many hunting books with footnotes, but this is hardly a boring, or condescending work.  Proper hunted in Europe and all over the U.S. but never presents his experience without telling a joke or two at his own expense.  (His attempts to find briar-proof clothes are humorous, only because my own thorn wounds are long healed.) He writes movingly of the alchemy of a hunter working with a fine gun-dog. In addition, he makes serious comments on the questions of land use and species conservation and the proper balance of a fine sporting arm.  There are even some recipes that are simply mouthwatering to merely read!  There are also evocative drawings by Eldridge Hardie.  A non-hunting relative who is a veterinarian read much of the book since she was familiar with Proper's writings on Portugal, and loved this.  Reading doesn't help me push birds out of the mazes of dried cattails they often favor or stop me from blasting the dried leaves rather than a rooster.  (Could I see a show of hands from those who have also missed this way... thanks.)  But it makes some of those nights away from the fields better.
1253746
I am of mixed minds about this book.

On the one hand- and most importantly- it's a very interesting and well-written description of a hunter's hunting lifestyle.

On the other- well I'll grant that the author says he's learned through the years, but some of the "hunting" and trapping he did as a kid was really cruel, and done only for money not for meat to eat.

Still- I think it's important that those of us who did NOT grow up in the hunting subculture understand those that did- and also the reverse. (The reverse is mostly not covered in this book.)

I think it was brave of Rinella to be so forthcoming about his various hunting stories. Personally, I am contemplating whether or not I would ever be interested in hunting, and this book is very informative- though not decisive- in that contemplation.

I do admire his general respect for the animals, and his dedication to making their deaths not go to waste (apart from the muskrats he killed as a teen for their fur).

It's a good book and I'm glad I read it.

It is not a book for everyone. There's a lot of gory details here. If you are a carnivore and want to face up to what meat-eating really means- I'd recommend it. If you are a vegan- you probably would rather skip it due to irrelevance.