Has Your Deer Reading Changed over the Years?

[Whit1]

As we were driving south on US 131 to Grand Rapids on Christmas morning we passed the area east of Stanwood where my Dad and I used to deer hunt in the late '60s and early 70s'. I got to thinking about how I've changed.....maybe it's matured.....as a deer hunter.

Back then I really thought I knew how to hunt deer and today I chuckle at how wrong I was in my self-patting-on-the-back which the self assured vigor of my youth allowed.

Earlier in the morning my wife and I opened our gifts to each other and I was presented (after requesting it) John Ozoga's book Whitetail Intrigue which was highly recommended by NorthJeff, among others. As the wheels of the van rolled past our old hunting grounds, (the Vredenberg farm) I thought of my new book and how my reading had matriculated over the years.

Back then I was many interested in books and articles that focused on hunting stories and tips. Scrapes, runways, rubs, and wind were the main topics of my reading as were hunting stories by Ben East. Erwin A. Bauer, and Jack O'Connor. Slowly those topics and authors began to change, first dealing with scent issues such as doe-in-heat, and moving to cover scents and on to secondary runways that spelled bucks.

It wasn't until the mid-80s that I began to read articles and purchase books dealing with the life/biology of whitetails.

With Whitetail Intrigue I realized how my taste in reading had evolved from hunting stories, hunting tips (remaining static in this area for many years), to some steps into whitetail biology, and then to management.

Today I find myself still enjoying the old books, but understand that in order to be fully rounded as an enthusiastic pursuer of whitetails I had to move from the mindset of 1962 (when I first began to deer hunt) to my present position and this transformation can be illustrated by my changing reading material.

Have you seen a change in your whitetail reading and if so, in what way?

Please stay on topic with this one!

By the way, as I write this post, I can look out the window and watch a doe with two fawns eat corn and apples just east of the house. I believe she is the same doe w/fawns that we've watched since the fawns' birth in May.

[M1Garand]

I've always been interested in wildlife and have read about it as long as I can remember. I've read quite a bit about them over the years and I also have Whitetail Intrigue and it is a great book. I've learned a lot from it and read parts of it from time to time. The male society chapter is extremely interesting and one of the reasons I hold the opinons I do about having more older bucks in the herd as there is a lot about their social structure we don't know. IMO, John Ozoga, along with a handful of others is one of the premier deer biologists (and researchers) in the country.

[QDMAMAN]

I read an excellent article in Woods and Water by a guy named Milton Whitmore and was totally in agreement with is writing. Good stuff.:D

Big T

[D.C.U.P.]

I try to avoid anything that involves canned, high-fenced or other unrealistic (to me) stories.

I like N.A. Whitetail because they seem to print stories from average guys like us who score big-time.

I also like the biology-based books. I like reality in my reading, but not on TV. Well, except for that new "Armed and Famous" show I see advertised. That looks like a real winner. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[aquanator]

Interesting question.........I will summarize my reading changes over the past 35 years of hunting as moving from mainly interested in tips, to being more interested in the stories. Great hunting stories last longer than tip of the year, or even than the tip of the decade. That said, I'm still in a constant learning mode - whether the subject is hunting or anything else!!

I think I miss the Patrick McManus stories............haven't run accross him lately.

[One Eye]

I seem to be migrating away from deer hunting reading and more towards African hunting (particularly interested in Capstick right now).

I have always enjoyed John Ozoga's writings, even long before his type of biological and management writings became "en vogue". Thanks for the information, as I may have to check out this book by Dr. Ozoga.

Dane

[NorthJeff]

Milt...truly hope you enjoy the book, and I suspect you will!

D&D Hunting with guys like Alshiemer and Ozoga, Quality Whitetails, most management books, food plots, deer biology, etc. I really like the videos out now much because of the sites and sounds, as well as the insight into mature buck behavior and "upper end" management. I can remember back in the late 80's where I loved the videos just to see the kill shot and more the "macho" side of hunting and was too inexperienced to know how much of it was fake and in a pen...pretty sad! Now, I get as much enjoyment "reading" the over 500 deer photos from my cameras taken from the 20th of Dec. to the 25th as I ever did the "shoot and kill articles" I enjoyed so much in the past. Nothing like a good hunting story, but to me now I love it when a management aspect is woven through the body of the article and you can tell the author really knows what he or she is writing about. Don't know if it's as much maturity as it's just the building of experiences and growth that leads to a different level of expectations, credibility, and depth that may seem pretty darn boring to the casual observer.

[Dangler]

Years ago I read every "how-to" book and article I could find. At that time I was eager to learn and had access to large tracts of land in southern Indiana where I could put into practice those tips about stand placement, playing the wind, bedding and feeding areas, etc.

Then I moved to southern Michigan and got limited to a couple of 10-acre pieces I could hunt. All the knowledge of hunting tactics and management don't mean a thing when you're stuck in a spot where you have one stand that you walk directly to and from because there are hunters all around you ready to shoot the biggest spike they've ever seen.

So now I focus on those success stories where a guy like me gets lucky because a big buck somehow slipped past the neighbors and gave him a shot. Hey, maybe that will be me some day!

I got a book for Christmas that looks interesting, "How to Bag the Biggest Buck of Your Life", about Larry Benoit and his family who hunt the mountains of northern Vermont and in Maine. I've read and enjoyed articles about Larry for years. The book's stories include tracking a single buck for 20 miles, and another one for 2 weeks, before making a kill. Great entertainment, but again, probably not anything I can put into practice if I choose to limit my hunting to small chunks of Ingham County, Michigan.

[oldrank]

I still read all the magazines but it seems as the years pass the articles just keep replaying themselves. What really interest me these days are the stories of guys taking large bucks off of heavy hunted tracks of land....where they spend years figuring out how he slips by hundreds of hunters, figure out his secret path and tag him as a 5 or six year old buck. Pretty much though i just through all the other stuff out and figure it out on my own....

[webfarmer]

I agree with oldrank pretty much. Have been cancelling the deer magazines such as North American Whitetail - same old stuff - month after month. And always one article with those proverbial words "location, location, location" - (makes me want to hurl). :sick: Deer & Deer Hunting magazine seems to provide the reading enjoyment I'm looking for even though I see the proverbial words there too occasionally. I haven't had time to read actual books the last few years but with retirement coming in 2 months, maybe I can settle down with Ed Spin's book and hopefully Ozoga's as well.

Since hunting Africa (Namibia) a few years ago, I too seem more captivated by articles and books relating to that. Africa provides the thrills not found many places else. Too bad it is so expensive (flight, hunt, tips, taxidermy and shipping).

However, I seem to gravitate to reading whatever it is I want to hunt next like elk, mule deer etc. As long as it doesn't have those immortal words "location blah blah, keep clean, wear camo etc. You know, the things we already know and have known since we first hunted. Getting into Progressive Farmer - now that's fresh!! :)

[Erik]

I wouldn't say that my taste in reading materials have changed much. There does seem to be more to read now days though. Some of it's good, and some is just people trying to make money.
I'll read anything but personally I've always prefered reading material thats based more about habitat and natural behavoir as opposed to the "how to hunt" stories.
I have noticed a trend in some recent writings of breeding ill will amoung hunters. Taking sides and bashing different organizations and methods etc... I definitely don't like those types of articles. John Ozogas writings have never seemed that way to me. I've always liked to read his stuff.

[jme]

My journey has been similar to what others have said. The 'travelogue' magazines like F&S and Outdoor Life were canned years ago. D&DH is the only one to which I subscribe and the articles that most appeal to me now are the ones on deer research (commonly by Ozaga) and physiology. Stories/articles by Robert Wegner on hunting history, great deer hunters, hunting camps, etc. are always fascinating. John-Ypsi

[newaygogeorge]

Hi All,
great thread, I agree with Erik in many ways. I try to spread my reading out in a few catagories such as biology-"any of John Ozaga's writings, habitat-
"Ed Spin", Alshiemer,QDM, books like Michigan trees, W/I news letter and a real neat book by
John H. Williams called the deer hunters field guide this book was written for the Michigan hunter and even brakes down many counties hunting and habitat. But most of all the writing by you all is really my most enjoyable I love blue collar, hands on stories of success and failure. Happy Year!

[swampbuck62]

In the past I read more magizine articles but there is so little new info out now. After a while they all seem to be the same article just rewriten.

Now I read more books on hunting. You know the older stuff by Jack O'conner and the like.

O'conner is the reason I shoot a 270 .

[Sib]

I now disregard many articles, because of their names. Any article with a title that simplifies what it takes to hunt mature deer is disregarded. Something with a title like, "Make Your Next Buck a Booner" will get a chuckle out of me, but never be read. Real, informative information, doesn't oversimplify the process, make bold claims and pretend that anyone can actually pull off what the most highly skilled can do.

[Whit1]

O'conner is the reason I shoot a 270 .

He was, perhaps, the first who really pushed the attributes of the .270 and in it's short life due to the writings of Jack O'Connor, it's become a classic of sorts.

I was wondering if the reading habits and any changes have to do with the posters age. Erik (and most others) are younger than me. In my teens through the early 30s the vast majority, if not all, deer hunting articles and books dealt with stories of a hunt or "how to" pieces. We simply weren't exposed to management and/or habitat articles because there weren't many written.

You younger hunters have far more diversity in your reading choices at a much younger age than us old timers ever had at your age. That, perhaps, explains why you accept new management techniques and policies with far less kicking, screaming, and dragging than us more chronologically gifted folks. You may not notice as much of a change in reading because there has been more out there.

A few posters have commented as to how outdoor mags seem to repeat the same topics over and over again. You are correct.

Scrapes! Pre-Rut! Rut! Post-Rut! Wind! Etc! Etc! It's all been written before ad infinitem. I'm speaking from the viewpoint of an outdoor writer, albeit rather new to the game. I find it very difficult to come up with a new angle from which to express fresh ideas and concepts of hunting.

[FREEPOP]

I still read almost everything I can get my hands on. The availability of material is much more now, as I didn't have time when I was working full time and going to school. Many articles are repeats but it does provoke thought and that's always a good thing.

[cshqck]

I find myself reading more articles on how to type stuff rather than "How I Killed the Big One" type stuff.

[swampbuck62]

[quote=Whit1]
I was wondering if the reading habits and any changes have to do with the posters age. Erik (and most others) are younger than me.
You younger hunters have far more diversity in your reading choices at a much younger age than us old timers ever had at your age.
A few posters have commented as to how outdoor mags seem to repeat the same topics over and over again. You are correct.
[quote]

Your onto something with this age thing. When I was teen the only outdoor mags were Field & Stream and Outdoor Lfe. Now there are so many choices it's dizzying.

I'm 45 now and there just is'nt a whole lot writen anymore that I have'nt already read.

[eddiejohn4]

I have read so much over the years that I have been saturated. I do not need to read anymore about how to hunt ,I just need more time doing it!.

This is one reason that Im not into hunting shows, I would rather be out there enjoying nature then watching it on the tube.:)

[Sam22]

Being a young and still aspiring hunter, I am still looking for the answers, the how to, the where and why. However, I find myself bored with most all magazines. The magazines, especially those specifially for michigan, never say anything new or in-depth. It seems to be alot of the same old elementary deer hunting stuff. I do still enjoy reading stories, I liked yours about your kill this year Milt. I am begining to get wary of hunting videos, the special effects, and music, all the production aspect of these new videos. They are taking away something from hunting that I value, a genuality, (I think I made that word up). I don't necesarily like the new age of hunting, and I think these videos are contributing to it greatly. I find myself reading the heck out of this site, and other internet sources. There is a endless amount of deer hunting knowledge to be learned on the internet, probably too much. I am spending the time I used to spend reading michigan outdoor mags, reading here instead.

[webfarmer]

Whit1 - I found your reply most interesting. It got me thinking along the same lines concerning magazine appeal to younger hunters. It takes time to discover all the things we older sportsman already know - and that may be the reason I find most magazine articles boring.

I too was a budding outdoor writer - mostly for Buckmasters magazine. They pay well so look to them for hopeful publishing. Magazines tend to look at repeat writers if there is good response and / or they like your style. They bought quite a few articles from me which included pictures of my friends in tree stands etc. (that was fun for them). I was an early author of food plot techniques before it became the rage. My best response was from an article relating to: How to buy hunting property without a real estate agent. Anyway - good luck to you! It is a tough market out there and fresh approaches hard to come by.

[aquanator]

D&DH is the only one to which I subscribe and the articles that most appeal to me now are the ones on deer research (commonly by Ozaga) and physiology. Stories/articles by Robert Wegner on hunting history, great deer hunters, hunting camps, etc. are always fascinating. John-Ypsi

What does D&DH stand for? Sounds like a magazine I might want to order. Thans!

[FREEPOP]

What does D&DH stand for? Sounds like a magazine I might want to order. Thans!

Deer and Deer Hunter, I believe.

[Whit1]

What does D&DH stand for? Sounds like a magazine I might want to order. Thans!

Yes, it is Deer & Deer Hunting and a great magazine. Look for their website and browse through it. Subscription information is in there I believe.

[uptracker]

A few posters have commented as to how outdoor mags seem to repeat the same topics over and over again. You are correct.

Scrapes! Pre-Rut! Rut! Post-Rut! Wind! Etc! Etc! It's all been written before ad infinitem. I'm speaking from the viewpoint of an outdoor writer, albeit rather new to the game. I find it very difficult to come up with a new angle from which to express fresh ideas and concepts of hunting.

Just like Sam22, I am one of the guys that complains he is bored with most magazines. It's not neccessarily the angle, but the tips and techniques have been exhausted to this point. Greg Miller had the biggest approach to this day in my mind. He came up with the "Rub Line" tactic. Before his early writings on the subject, they were never mentioned much if at all. Now he has too much of the "industry" in him, otherwise I bet we'd see alot more good stuff from him.....he's cocky now too though:yikes: . He WAS one of the blue collar hunters that took it to the next level to harvest pressured public land and big woods whitetails. Aside from that, and I may be repeating myself to some, I'm bored with the "watch the wind," "dangle you rattling antlers," "hunt between bedding areas and feeding areas" articles. It's monotonous.

No pressure or anything Whit!:D

[Whit1]

No pressure or anything Whit!:D

WHAT!!!!

Ya mean that ya don't wanna read "Scrape Secrets"........"Rubbed Right!"......"Keep the Wind in Mind"........"Deer Trails: Path to Success"........."Bringing Texas Rattlin' Techniques to Michigan", etc.....etc...etc....?????............:lol: How do ya expect me to write enough to purchase a new tack drivin' deer rifle for next season????????????:evil: :lol:

I understand perfectly what you guys are saying about the "same ol'...same ol".

[PA BUCK 2]

Anyone read Beniots by Townsley? Tempted me to buy it today... but I decided to hold off.

[Pinefarm]

I totally pass over the "guy kills deer-my story of how I killed the big one" type articles. I also gloss over most "mind the wind" articles, unless they get into thermals, because I still have some to learn on how thermals work with ridges and slopes and of how deer use thermals to scent check. I read anything with advanced deer calling advice. I like articles where they test archery equipment side by side, such as bows, arrows or broadheads.
I love articles on anything concerning deer management and habitat or habitat improvement. I also like any articles concerning the human dynamic of hunters as managers and/or the politics of hunting.
Basically, I like the more specific, advanced educational stuff than general advice for novices.
It's mainly the "how I killed my deer" stories or the basic 101 "hunt a trail/go deeper into the woods" general advice articles that really don't enjoy. I'm not as interested about what happened once you actually saw the deer while on stand. I want to know, in a non-general way, everything that goes into getting oneself into the position to see that deer, and all that went into it. Seeing and killing the deer has more to do with a "kill" phase than the "hunt" and all the prep work that goes into the "hunt". (Know what I mean?) The planning that often goes into a deer season is like planning a big wedding and the actual kill is like the picture taken when the bride and the groom cut the cake. I want to know about all that it took to get to that happy picture, because it was all the prep work that is actually what made that picture happen.

[uptracker]

Anyone read Beniots by Townsley? Tempted me to buy it today... but I decided to hold off.

I've got three Benoit books. Very good read. I have three of their DVD's too. I actually hunted an area they hunt this year and can see why they do pretty good. I'll PM you with a story.

[Whit1]

I've got three Benoit books. Very good read. I have three of their DVD's too. I actually hunted an area they hunt this year and can see why they do pretty good. I'll PM you with a story.

Are the Benoits still picking up a very large deer track in the snow and keeping on the animal until they get him? That's how they used to do it some years ago.

[PA BUCK 2]

Yes- I believe that is what they are still doing. Tracking and still hunting.

[FrankB]

Being as I,m a UP state land hunter most of the time I've read all the Benoit books, Bernier books and the Nordberg series books as well as Woods-N-Water articals relating to remote backwoods deer hunting.