Most hunters today are very aware of all the hunting shows that are available on television or the internet, but many of them are produced more for entertainment than education. A good book about the principles of deer hunting can be the most reliable and helpful addition to any hunter’s arsenal.
So, What Are Some Good Deer Hunting Books To Read?
- Deer Hunting 101: The Beginner’s Guide to Deer Hunting by David B. Pruet
- The Total Deer Hunter Manual (Field and Stream): 301 Skills You Need by Scott Bestul and Dave Hurteau
- Mapping Trophy Bucks by Brad Herndon
- Precision Bowhunting by John and Chris Eberhart
There are many great books out there, but I like to keep things simple and I believe any of those listed above will be an important asset to any hunter, no matter their level of experience.
So Why Did I Pick These Four Books?
Narrowing down my picks for good deer hunting reads was not easy — the list could go on and on. In the end, I decided to stick with a few favorites of mine that I feel can meet the needs of all deer hunters. Whether you are new to deer hunting or you have been hunting for years, these four books are applicable.
Let’s start out with Deer Hunting 101: The Beginners Guide to Deer Hunting, by David B. Pruet. This book covers almost all aspects of deer hunting, including the vital topic of choosing a weapon. It helps a hunter regardless of their experience level to be more successful in the field. David B. Pruet has done a wonderful job of writing an easy-to-read book that any deer hunter can benefit from. The book is also endorsed by David Hale of “Knight and Hale Game Calls” and Jim Shockey of “Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures.”
The Total Deer Hunter Manual (Field & Stream): 301 Hunting Skills You Need, by Scott Bestul and Dave Hurteau. It does not matter whether you’re an avid deer hunter who prepares every year for deer season or a hunter who hunts a few times a year – this book will improve your hunting skills. From the topic of how a hunter can practice in order to shoot better all the way to field dressing a deer, almost every aspect of the hunt is covered. I believe that all deer hunters can benefit from not only reading this book but adding it to their permanent hunting library.
Mapping Trophy Bucks, by Brad Herndon. This author does not cover as many aspects of deer hunting as the previous two but has written an outstanding deer hunting book none-the-less. Its primary intent is teaching hunters how to not only read topographical maps and aerial photos but how to use them to their advantage in finding big bucks. Topographical maps and aerial photography will never replace the need for scouting in the woods, but the reader will learn how to narrow the scope of their scouting, saving them time and miles of walking.
Precision Bowhunting, by John and Chris Eberhart. Although this book is geared toward bowhunting, any deer hunter will benefit from having it on their shelf. Precision Bowhunting is a year-round guide to successfully hunting elusive bucks in high-pressure areas. This book establishes a comprehensive program that will help hunters to be prepared for a successful deer season. Off-season, through the rut, all year long — this book covers it all. Bowhunter or not, your season will be improved by adding this title to your collection.
Why Read A Book When You Can Just Watch A Video?
With today’s technology, it may seem strange to read books in reference to deer hunting when all you need to do is watch videos on the internet. The best part about having a book is the fact that you can keep it and refer to it whenever you choose. In most of the books I read, I make notations and mark certain pages to help myself retain the information and make it easier to use each book as reference material for future use.
Furthermore, most deer hunting books have great illustrations that will help you better understand the information that is given to you as you take it in. It can help tremendously, especially when trying to understand more complex explanations, to have a picture or illustration for reference.
One of the best things about having a book in your arsenal is the fact that you can read and take in the information at your own speed. Videos can, at times, move too quickly or entirely too slowly leaving the viewer lost or bored. A book allows you to reread or skip ahead whenever you choose. We all retain information at different speeds, and books can be the perfect tools to enhance your personal learning experience.
Taking Advantage Of All The Resources Available
There are so many other books available that a hunter has easy access to and can learn from. I’ve shared only a short list of a few of my favorites. I’ve always tried to read as many articles, blogs and deer hunting books as possible. A hunter can take bits and pieces from many sources and customize that information to suit their needs. I believe most hunters would agree that videos, articles and books, when combined together, can improve your deer hunting skills exponentially.
Keep in mind that it doesn’t matter how old the book may be, it can still be filled with timeless, useful information. Deer are still deer and I’ve found that some of the “old timers” who didn’t have modern technology were some of the best hunters, and their wisdom can still benefit any of us today. In order to become a well-rounded deer hunter, I believe a hunter should weave the older, tried-and-true methods into all the modern information we now have about deer.
Related Questions
What Are Some Other Great Deer Hunting Books?
- Hunting Mature Whitetails The Lakosky Way by Lee and Tiffany Lakosky
- Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails by John and Chris Eberhart.
- Giant Whitetails: A Lifetime of Lessons by Mark and Terry Drury.
- Aggressive Whitetail Hunting by Greg Miller
- Fail Proof Tactics for Whitetail Bowhunting by Bob McNally
