Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: heavy hauler on March 24, 2009, 08:59:35 PM

Title: education of a bear hunter
Post by: heavy hauler on March 24, 2009, 08:59:35 PM: you have all probably read this and talk about it all the time, but just in case: has anyone read "education of a bear hunter" by ralph flowers? what do you think?
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: billythekidrock on March 24, 2009, 09:01:48 PM: I have all three of his books. Absolutely love them.

Definately a must for those whe drew the Copalis unit.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: heavy hauler on March 24, 2009, 09:04:15 PM: i know of the education and #2 bears and flowers. what else did ralph write?
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: PWN Kurt on March 24, 2009, 09:04:36 PM: Huh...I haven't heard of it. I'll pick up a copy.

Fiction? Guidebook?

Thanks for the tip.

Kurt
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: heavy hauler on March 24, 2009, 09:06:24 PM: ralph flowers trapped /hunted bears around the aberdeen area as a full time job. then wrote a great book about it.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: billythekidrock on March 24, 2009, 09:16:10 PM: Quote from: heavy hauler on March 24, 2009, 09:04:15 PM
i know of the education and #2 bears and flowers. what else did ralph write?

The third one is "Stuff I Remember" written shortly before and during his hospitalization, just before he died. Mostly short stories about family and friends. Not hunting related.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: oneshotkill on March 25, 2009, 04:44:25 PM: I have read the book several times and love it. Reading that book is what got me interested in bear hunting.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: bobcat on March 25, 2009, 04:58:34 PM: I have it and read it a few years ago just before my spring bear hunt in Capitol Forest. Very good read. I'll have to read it again soon. It was an inspiration to me.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: heavy hauler on March 25, 2009, 09:17:51 PM: i just spotted it on my book shelf and now i reading it again.awesome
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: scroder on March 25, 2009, 09:32:43 PM: Thanks for the reminder I had borrowed it from a friend a long time ago, it is a great book. I just went to amazon and bought a copy for myself. I hope I get it before my copalis season starts.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on March 25, 2009, 10:38:11 PM: I've got book 1 and 2 and absolutly love them!
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: Blsum on March 25, 2009, 11:58:27 PM: What a small world. My grandfather Robert "Bob" Matthews was Ralph's boss when he worked for the washington forest protection agency as a proffesional bear hunter. In fact my grandpa was the one that wrote the preface in Ralph's book "Education of a Bear hunter". Not only was Ralph a renouned bear hunter, but he was also a taxidermist, wood worker, artist, and good friend of the family. Unfortunatley I didn't have the pleasure of hunting with Ralph, but my father did. I did get to go to his house several times when I was a kid. I've heard many a hunting story of Ralph and my grandpa.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: heavy hauler on March 26, 2009, 08:57:44 PM: when i worked at the coal mine in centalia , one of the guys said ralph was his great uncle.then a old timer at work said he hunted "the promise land" with ralph. those books are full of great local stories.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: TheHunt on March 26, 2009, 09:07:12 PM: I just ordered both books from Amazon. Looking forward to reading them
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: mrgoodwrench on March 26, 2009, 10:15:23 PM: I grew up across the highway from Ralph and always heard stories about him....I highly recomend the books. Sportsmans recenly had some of his wildlife drawings for sale, but last time i was there they were gone. If Ralph were still hunting for WFPA we wouldn't need a spring bear season on the tree farm!
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: Dean44 on March 27, 2009, 05:39:59 AM: Thanks to everybody for the book reviews. Great reviews on Amazon too. I just ordered a used hard cover from eBay- under 14 bucks with shipping. It will be a fun read before heading for Copalis. (Or on those rainy days while we are there).
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: billythekidrock on March 27, 2009, 06:04:36 AM: I have the softcovers. Bought "Education" probably 15 years ago in Amanda Park. Autographed to boot!

A year or so ago I noticed them in Sportsmens, but no more. They still sell new ones at Everybody's grocery in Elma.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: rasbo on March 27, 2009, 06:35:04 AM: Quote from: billythekidrock on March 27, 2009, 06:04:36 AM
I have the softcovers. Bought "Education" probably 15 years ago in Amanda Park. Autographed to boot!

A year or so ago I noticed them in Sportsmens, but no more. They still sell new ones at Everybody's grocery in Elma.
send me yours Ill send it back,no really I will
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: bearmanric on March 27, 2009, 07:39:14 AM: I have all three. i met Ralph about 6 year's a go great man. my wife is a Rn nurse. she told him about meidolizing him. he smiled. he died in his sleep. every year i read his book's at camp. awsome story's. Rick

got mine at at the Rusty tractor Restuarnt in elma.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on March 27, 2009, 11:43:23 AM: Quote from: billythekidrock on March 27, 2009, 06:04:36 AM
I have the softcovers. Bought "Education" probably 15 years ago in Amanda Park. Autographed to boot!

A year or so ago I noticed them in Sportsmens, but no more. They still sell new ones at Everybody's grocery in Elma.

I forgot all about that. I bought my copies from Amazon.com and the Second Issue was autographed. Ha ha ha, now I know why you wanted my copy BTKR. :P
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: billythekidrock on March 27, 2009, 04:35:25 PM: I will trade my second book for your second book Michelle.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on March 27, 2009, 05:32:57 PM: I don't think so! :chuckle:
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: markts on March 28, 2009, 04:17:11 PM: I have read his books over and over through the years. In the first book Ralph was asked by my Great Uncle to come out to his bee hives and kill a problem bear. I also have a signed copy to my grandmother. Years ago after reading his first book and looking at the pics, I realised that he lived right up the highway from my house. One day I drove in to his place and knocked on the door, he invited me in and showed me around. Super nice guy. Markts
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: heavy hauler on March 28, 2009, 04:43:31 PM: awesome storys to hear. :) i got 2 copys from the rusty tractor also in elma.my father in law cut ralphs hair in shelton and i got a autographed copy of "bears and flower".
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: rasbo on March 28, 2009, 05:11:53 PM: bearmanrick let me borrow the book to read today.the book sucks how can I get anything done with this book in the house,I feel like Im beside him.He reminds me alot of scotty who got me hooked.Man It would be nice to see the country how it was then.this is an awesome read :drool:
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: bearmanric on March 28, 2009, 05:18:56 PM: i read at camp when i'm by myself. great reading. Rick
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: billythekidrock on March 28, 2009, 06:00:44 PM: Quote from: rasbo on March 28, 2009, 05:11:53 PM
bearmanrick let me borrow the book to read today.the book sucks how can I get anything done with this book in the house,I feel like Im beside him.He reminds me alot of scotty who got me hooked.Man It would be nice to see the country how it was then.this is an awesome read :drool:

Both of them are great, but "Education" is best. Whenever you want to take a drive. The area has changed a bit, but it is still flat, thick and swampy.
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: rasbo on March 28, 2009, 06:09:41 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on March 28, 2009, 06:00:44 PM
Quote from: rasbo on March 28, 2009, 05:11:53 PM
bearmanrick let me borrow the book to read today.the book sucks how can I get anything done with this book in the house,I feel like Im beside him.He reminds me alot of scotty who got me hooked.Man It would be nice to see the country how it was then.this is an awesome read :drool:

Both of them are great, but "Education" is best. Whenever you want to take a drive. The area has changed a bit, but it is still flat, thick and swampy.
that sounds like a plan
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: bearmanric on March 28, 2009, 06:43:37 PM: Rasbo has the Blue one the first. Rick
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on April 06, 2009, 04:02:09 PM: Did ralph pass away? I had heard that but not sure if it is true??
Title: Re: education of a bear hunter
Post by: rasbo on April 06, 2009, 04:07:47 PM: Quote from: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on April 06, 2009, 04:02:09 PM
Did ralph pass away? I had heard that but not sure if it is true??
yes easter sunday 04