Bowhunting Books

Written by expert trophy bowhunter Steve Bartylla, Bowhunting Tactics That Deliver Trophies lives up to its title with its singularly impressive collection of whitetail bowhunting strategies. From how to read aerial photos and contour maps to figure out where mature bucks hide, to maximizing one's time while hunting on public land, to weather scent tactics, and much more, Bowhunting Tactics That Deliver Trophies is a thoroughly accessible reference and resource for bowhunters of all skill and experience levels. In an era when most hunters kill with guns, Bowhunting Tactics That Deliver Trophies is a welcome guide to help hunters connect with the weaponry of an earlier age.

Very informative and the plain truth. Bartylla is one of the best writers on whitetail bowhunting I have read. His books and Eberharts books are top notch. They cover hunting on public lands, which most of the other writers leave out. Whitetail bucks on public lands are more skittish and wise from the hunting pressure they have endured. Therefore hunting them is the greatest challenge. Steve Bartylla covers the things that have worked for him to take this elusive monarch. Great book!

This is not your typical how-to deer hunting manual. You won't find step-by-step instructions, equipment lists, endless endorsements, etc. What you will find is a book of incredibly detailed non-fiction hunting stories. The stories chronicle how twelve master bowmen have transformed whitetail hunting from craft to art. Only by reading the stories do you come to understand each hunter's individual approach, technique, and philosophy. Only by reading the stories do you learn. This book is for hard-core, devoted, veteran bowhunters, because it endeavors to move far beyond the tired "Here's where you should put your treestand" formula so frequently rehashed in outdoor magazines and manuals. Those of us who have bowhunted across North America and beyond know that bowhunters who year in and year out kill trophy class whitetail bucks can hold their own with any hunter, anywhere, from any species, past or present. Such hunters are predators who have developed rare skill.

Bowhunting's Whitetail Masters takes you far away from the 300 yard rifle shots and places you inside that zone where a hunter's smallest stray movement or the slightest shift in breeze can make all the difference. I myself find it intoxicating to read about how exceptionally skilled hunters navigate and operate within this zone to become what they are: whitetail masters. Bertalan has done a great job.

This is not the typical deer hunting how-to manual. Bertalan goes far beyond the world of 300 yard rifle shots and endorsement-ridden outdoor magazine articles as he explores how twelve master bowhunters operate inside that zone of extreme intensity the surrounds the trophy whitetail buck, where a hunter's single stray movement or the most subtle shift in breeze can end a season. Those of us who have bowhunted across North America and beyond know that the hunter who consistently, year in and year out, bags a trophy whitetail buck with bow and arrow, can stand up against any hunter, anywhere, from any species, past or present. Bertalan does a great job in this book as he tells the story of each master hunter. Through these stories, the reader comes to know the approaches, philosophies, and techniques that these hunters have used to take craft to the level of fine art. Bowhunting's Whitetail Masters is for hard-core, dedicated, veteran bowhunters. If you consider yourself to be one, you owe it to yourself to read it. Let Bertalan show you what it takes to be great.

Conner's Big Hunt Written by Shawn Meyer of Albion, Indiana and illustrated with vivid full page watercolors by renowned commercial illustrator Reed Sprunger. This 24 page book was written by Shawn Meyer after he had been unsuccessful at finding books suitable for introducing his own son to the wonderful sport of bowhunting.
To quote Meyer..."This is no Bambi book"
I have to agree. Shawn has woven into the story of Conner's Big Hunt the passionate realism of an actual hunt as seen through the eyes of Conner. The reader only has to close his eyes for a moment to sense the anticipation Conner felt as his father woke him the morning of the hunt. Throughout the book are subtle examples of hunting ethics, safety, and finally good old fashioned caring about others. Unlike others Meyer's book ends in the actual kill of a whitetail buck which is done tastefully in consideration of the books young audience without mention of blood, or disembowelment.

Conner's Big Hunt is an excellent book for kids...especially boys who love the outdoors! The story tells the hunting adventure of a dad and his son. They leave on a cold, dark fall morning and take their place in the tree-stand. Conner is amazed at the sights and sounds of the forrest. But the most exciting moment comes as a big buck walks by. Conner's dad draws his bow and releases the arrow. It's a perfect shot!

But Conner's Big Hunt is more than just a fun adventure story. Along the way, Conner learns the value of serving and helping others.

As a father of three boys, I highly recommend Conner's Big Hunt. It's a great read filled with strong morals and eye-catching illustrations.

This is a great book! Buy it! No on has more experience shooting traditional gear than Asbell. This book does it all! Instructions on shooting traditional bows, making wood arrows, bow setup and tuning info AND several GREAT hunting stories Asbell shares that are not only HIGHLY entertaining but will get your blood pumping and get you psyched!
Asbell has been writing professionally for bowhunting magazines for years and even founded Bighorn Archery where they make custom bows!
I'm telling ya THIS book IS a MUST HAVE publication for ANY bowhunters library! It's a steal at ANY price!
Truly a COLLECTOR'S ITEM!
Lots of great, quality photographs on shooting the bow, and Asbell's hunts.

Asbell's book will take you, step by step, through the ancient art of shooting bow and arrow by instinct, ie. without sights.
I can think of few other authors in the fields of archery and hunting who can teach as well as Asbell. I have read some Japanese texts on the art of archery, which in Japanese form is instinctive and is considered the oldest martial art. Asbell strikes upon many of the same points examined in these Asian works, and to me this indicates just how deeply Asbell grasps the key concepts. Fortunately for us, he writes in a distinctly Western tradition, and hence his book is straight forward and a great read. I would suggest that the aspiring traditional archer pair Asbell's book with Kidwell's Instinctive Archery Insights, and then practice, practice, practice. Also, keep in mind that Asbell speaks nationally and teaches clinics. He is a wealth of knowledge, and spending a day shooting under his instruction will save you years of learning by trial and error.

This is not only a beautiful hard bound book (with very nice high quality matching black dust cover) for the hunter's library; it is a great bowhunting reference tool. The book has nearly a dozen stories by successful Arizona bowhunters and state record holders, a listing of the current Arizona bowhunting records for all species, and numerous very helpful charts, tables and graphs. The charts, tables and graphs show exactly which hunting units have produced the most record entries on a species by species comparison. Additionally, various graphs and charts show (by species) the most successful times of day to hunt, best hunting methods for each species, and average shot distances based upon all of the record entries in the book. You could not find a better source of this type of information for the would-be Arizona bowhunter!

Mountain Pirates is an excellent, wholesome, page turner. It is obvious the author, Gail Blankenau has researched her subject. Not only is Mountain Pirates an adventure, but a learning experience for the reader.

This easy to read novel inspired in depth conversation between my children and myself. We discussed the various ethical questions raised by Mountain Pirates. As an educator and parent I highly recommend this outstanding, age appropriate book for both genders.

I bought this book based on a great review from the bowsite.com. The high ratings are very well deserved and it is well worth the price.

I've been bowhunting for the last 6 years, traditonal for the last 4. I've read dozens of books on the bowhunting and several on target archery. This book is with the best 4 or 5. It covers several topics I've never seen mentioned in other books. The more common topics are like arrow spine are covered in a fresh and far superior way. Most of the chapters have enough overlap that they are worth reading even it "you don't shoot that kind of bow".

Putting this book into practice will make you a better archer and a better bowhunter.

First my disclaimer...I don't know Mr. Bertalan. I state this so you know that I am totally impartial.

This is a great book for anyone interested in Archery, especially Traditional Archery. Even the armchair adventurer will find some wonderful gems in this very well written book. (I read a lot, and know good writing). It contains not only what you would expect from the title, but so much more. Over 500 pages of 20th (21st) century Archery history are featured in the 31 chapters featuring 30 prominent bowyers. A chapter may start with a bowhunting story or painting a portrait of the picturesque settings where a bowyer performs his magic, or any number of ways that pull a reader into a good yarn without the obvious formulaic monotony. Each chapter is as if you bumped into a friend and he said..." I met this guy named Fred Bear (et al) whose been making archery bows over in Grayling. Let me tell you a bit about him.

Do you know what prompted Ken Beck to buy Black Widow from the renowned Wilson Bros.,after several other entreprenuerial endeavors foundered? It's a sad story but I'm glad I know it. I feel far more connected to him as a member of the macrocosmic community of hunting first, and the microcosmic (but growing) community of Tradition Bowhunters and target archers.

Tim Meigs whose wife Fern was on the cover of Trad Bowhunter Magazine when she passed, has a wonderful hunting story called "The Skinny Dip Buck". Tim arrows a nice buck drinking at the pond, the deer falls into the pond and starts swimming, he runs down the hill to get a kill shot and slips on a cow pie. He gets his kill shot and the deer starts sinking. He has to strip down and wade out to recover his buck. His friends show up and wonder why he's standing naked next to his well earned prize. This was a story I have retold so many times, that it was worth the price of the book. Love Tim's bows too. I met him after reading this chapter when Business took me to Carson City. When I asked my customer where Kit Kat Rd. was, her jaw dropped as Tim's is the only business on this short street that is not a brothel. Another great story.

Fifteen years (as of 2004) after the publication it could use some updating and include some of the new bowyers but it's still worth every penny. I reach for it when I see a used bow of interest or I want to just relax with a re reading of a chapter or two.

book is full of info for the beginner and experienced. recommended reading if you want to do your own work and maintenance on your bow.

This book is a great read for those who cannot hunt on guide hunts on game farms, etc. (that's most of us!) The book gives real tips on how to hunt whitetails that you can put to use right away. I liked the book so much I mbought the 3 DVD set that will soemwhat redundant to the text, contained a bunch more great info. These guys know what they are doing and they don't have a ranch or staff of guides, scouts, etc doing the work for them. The DVD series is not however a bunch of hunts captured on video. It is instructional stuff... and good!

As the title indicates, I found this disappointing. I knew there wasn't going to be much in this book when the entire first chapter used charts and graphs to demonstrate that pressured bucks are harder to find!!!

Also, he spent a good number of pages telling us how to approach landowners for permission to hunt! That is NOT what you buy a book like this for.

He also presents a regimen for success that is so drastic I don't think many will follow thru. For example -- he prepares 80 different trees for stands.

The book wasn't a total loss, as he does give a prioritized list of the 4 things to look for in the woods that are best places to find deer.

I recently read the book and I did learn some new things. However, the book really pushes a scentlok suit and I would adivse saving your money. These suits are costly and not necessary. Just go out and buy scent free detergent (basspro,cableas,wal-mart etc.) and the scent proof spray and you are good. We are talking a price difference of hundreds.

I wish the author had really gone into game cameras. If you really want to know what size of deer you are hunting and when and where they are at a camera is the best tool out there. Also, he didn't mention baiting much, but if it is legal in your state do this along with cameras and you stand a great chance of taking a good sized deer.

In conclusion, this is a good book and if you are new to hunting I would strongly recommend it.

John Eberhart manages to take nice bucks year after year from one of the heaviest hunted and poorest manage states without having to pay anyone to hunt their land. this book is worth every minute of your time ,but if you only want to read one of John's books then make it "Precision Bowhunting" much the same info just laid out a bit nicer.

Just as the name implies if you are bowhunting whitetails in pressured areas this book is one of the best. Theres something here for everyone but if you are a begining bowhunter this book is a must own. The author also has 3 DVDs on hunting pressured whitetails, they are the best instructional DVD's I have seen. I wish I would have had this book availabale when I started bowhunting.