By Larry Weishuhn
Editor’s Note: To purchase books mentioned, simply click the link through to Amazon. DSC will receive a portion of the sales price.
Do you enjoy reading books? I do! Books and especially hunting books have always been special to me. That’s one of the numerous reasons I started collecting books many years ago. In my office, at last count, I have about 500 hunting books. I started collecting hunting books, especially those written by my heros long before there were such things as e-books! In recent years when it comes to books, collecting them or even reading books, things have really changed with the advent of Amazon, e-Bay and other similar sources as well as the afore-mentioned now, e-books. Back when I first started collecting books I frequented used book stores, gun shops, antique stores, religious book stores, as well as visiting with various book finders to help me find specific titles. Too I bought a fair number of new books from such places as the then Outdoor Life Book Club, Winchester Press and similar sources.
My interest in reading and collecting books had much to do with my writing my first book, PEAR FLAT PHILOSOPHIES which was published by Safari Press, back in 1995. My first book was a series of short stories about the outdoors; personal experiences, as well as characters I met during my years as a wildlife biologist with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. These days that book is somewhat of a collectors item, having been out of print for several years. The boxed, signed and numbered limited edition (1,000) is of course more valuable than the regular hard copy edition and somewhat harder to find. Since my first there have been several other books, my last, TRAILING THE HUNTER’S MOON, An Adventure Journal, published back in 2003 was published by Stoeger Press. Incidentally it was named the “Book of the Year” by Foreword Magazine in the categories of adventure and recreation, winning over hundreds of titles world-wide. And as you’ve likely guessed by now, that’s how my TV show got named. I always loved the phrase, fashioned somewhat after some of Russell Annabel’s writings and a quote of his about the “season of the painted leaves”. Most all my life I have trailed the hunter’s moon, which generally refers to the first full moon of November, usually a bit more orange in color and bigger in size when it rises, which comes at time when throughout the northern hemisphere males of the deer species begin chasing females and throw much of their usual caution to the wind.
All that be as it may, I am currently working on a follow-up of TRAILING THE HUNTER’S MOON, again the same title, but this time subtitled, ”The Adventure Continues”. It will cover several of my adventures in Alaska for grizzly and brown bear: lion, buffalo, hippo, eland, kudu and others from Africa; Coues deer, mule deer and desert bighorn sheep from Mexico; brocket deer from Campeche, Mexico; chamois and tahr in New Zealand; buffalo in Australia; as well as several North American big game species as well. Hopefully I’ll have it completed by early fall and available right after the first of the year in 2015.
Over the years I have had several favorite authors including Russell Annabel, mentioned earlier. Annabel wrote for various outdoor publications and of a time when sports hunting was just beginning in the Alaskan and Canadian Rockies. One of my favorite books of his is ALASKAN ADVENTURES (Vol. 1) which was published most recently in a limited edition by Safari Press. But any book by Annabel is worth collecting regardless who published it.
Years ago a writer from Alberta, Canada, Andy Russell, produced a fair amount of magazine articles and some books, including two of my all time favorites by him, HORNS IN THE HIGH COUNTRY and TRAILS OF A WILDERNESS WANDER. Both were published by Alfred Knopf. Russell was the “real deal”, an outfitter/guide, hunter, conservationist, as well as an excellent photographer. I’ve read these two books many times in the past. Unfortunately you never see very much written about this fine writer.
I grew up reading Robert Ruark and I truly appreciate his writing and his books. I particularly love his OLD MAN and THE BOY, HORN of THE HUNTER (I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read it), and USE ENOUGH GUN. I find myself reading Ruark whenever I start thinking of Africa… Ruark’s various novels are certainly worth reading as well. His books are available through a variety of sources and places.
Speaking of Africa, if you like reading about adventure don’t overlook the numerous books by Peter Capstick, again available from a wide variety of places and sources. Simply look up his numerous books on the internet, such as on Amazon. One of my favorite of his is DEATH IN THE DARK CONTINENT, published by St. Martin’s Press. Years ago it always seemed like I happened to end up in the same hotel as Capstick at NRA Convention and SHOT Shows, thus had a chance to occasionally visit with him in person. Fun, on the edge of your seat reading in some of his books.
Several years ago I got to spend some time on hunts here in the states with Finn Aagaard who for years wrote fabulous articles for the NRA publications and others. Finn was the real deal when it came to Africa. His articles not only informative but also great fun to read. His book, AAGAARD’S AFRICAN ADVENTURES (published by Safari Press) which he co-wrote with his wife Berit, is one which like the Ruark book mentioned is one I go back and read every year as I’m preparing for Africa.
Of course it almost goes without saying I’ve read Hemingway’s various books about Africa at least a couple of times. I cannot imagine having a hunting library without at least three or more books by or about Hemingway.
One of the books you don’t normally hear much about, but one I love since I truly love hunting the big bears of Alaska is “UNPREDICTABLE GIANTS, 40 Years of Alaskan Brown Bear Hunting Tales” published and written by Keith N. Johnson in 2001. It too is beautifully illustrated with photos. If you’ve ever hunted Alaskan brown bear or even dream of doing so in the future, you need a copy of this book!
I grew up reading several writers, Jack O’Connor was certainly one of those. I hung on every word O’Connor wrote whether it was in Outdoor Life or his numerous books. GAME IN THE DESERT is one of my longtime favorites, because during my career I’ve gotten to hunt many of the same places he did back when. The list of his books is not short and most are still available through various sources. I never personally got to hunt with Mr. O’Connor, but even so I learned a tremendous amount from him!
Years ago a newspaperman based out of Houston, Texas wrote the weekly outdoor page, a tremendously fine wing shot, as shotgun authority, he was also quite a big game hunter. And, he wrote in a manner that was great fun to read. His name was Robert or Bob Brister. He was one of my heros! Bob wrote some shotgun books, but the one that I hold dearest is his MOSS, MALLARDS & MULES published back in 1969 by Winchester Press. I’ve read it many times and the signed to me copy I have of his book is one of my most prized possessions!
Another Texas writer who I consider “The Father of Modern Whitetail Deer Hunting” is John Wootters. John for years wrote for Petersen’s Hunting and other publications. He too was one of my heros, but also one of mentors. I got to spend a little time with John on whitetail hunts and in hunting camps. He and I also shared the stage several times doing presentations. It was he I toured with when we did the NRA’s Great American Hunter’s Tour several years ago. John’s HUNTING TROPHY DEER, published by Winchester Press is a fabulous book and one everyone who loves hunting deer needs to read and own!
Wayne Fears, who has written more outdoor books than I have fingers, toes and ears. Too is a mentor, dear friend, hunting partner and oh such a great writer! I’ve been fortunate to spend a lot time in hunting camps with him, but never as many as I wanted to. Wayne’s books are available a lot of places including on e-book. He and I co-wrote WHITETAILS EAST & WEST a few years ago which was recently reprinted and is again available. His SUCCESSFUL DEER HUNTING published by North American Hunting Club, is one of if not THE highest selling outdoor book on the market. Anytime you can pick up a copy of any of Fears’ books, I highly recommend you do so.
Jim Zumbo is a dear friend who for year was the hunting editor for Outdoor Life. He knows whereof he speaks and writes. I’ve been very fortunate to spend a fair amount of time with Zumbo in hunting camps, on the stage doing seminars, traveling between events, and like with Fears, many hours around a campfire. Jim too has written more books than I have appendages, and I dearly love everyone of them. His HUNTING AMERICA’S MULE DEER was published back in 1981 by Winchester Press. One of my other favorites of his is TO HECK WITH MOOSE HUNTING published in 1996, maybe one of the reasons is the first chapter is about a moose hunt he and I did together in Colorado.
There are many other writers whose literary efforts I truly enjoy such as Craig Boddington and his many books as well as others. If I’ve failed to mention your favorite author, I’d love to hear from you!
Editor’s Note: Gayne C. Young’s books are the stuff of legend!
Larry Weishuhn is the host/owner of “Trailing the Hunter’s Moon” which appears on the Sportsman Channel on Saturday mornings at 9:30 am eastern (and two other airings) starting July 5. You can farther keep up with what Larry is doing by going to his website www.trailingthehuntersmoon.com as well as on Facebook at his Trailing-The-Hunters-Moon site.
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