Book suggestion for Western bowhunting?

[GreenHunter]

I was wondering if there is a good book for learning more on how to bowhunt Western Washington.  I have been reading the forums and websearching to learn as much as possible but I think I have hit a limit on useful free information.  I am focusing on deer but might be interested in taking a small cow elk.  Just want to get a kill to build my experience and fill my freezer.

I have been in the field a couple of days now and have not seen a deer although I did see 2 cows and a bulk elk and couldn't get a clear shot.  I have seen plenty of tracks and bedding areas but very little scat.  Have been glassing clear cuts, still hunting ridges, walking through some open forest on the edge of clear cuts, walking some dark timber roads.

I understand it is not going to be easy (that's why I am doing it) but I would think that I would at least spook a deer or see one off in the distance.

Thanks in advance for any book suggestions you might have.

[bobcat]

A great book to read would be Boyd Iverson's "Blacktail Trophy Tactics."  He rifle hunts but uses archery tactics (tree stands.) He also has a "Blacktail Trophy Tactics II" out, but I haven't read it yet. I would guess that it's got to be at least as good or better than the first. He hunts western Oregon which is pretty much the same as hunting here.

I think I would also try "Bowhunting Trophy Blacktail" by Cameron Hanes. I haven't read it either, but I do have another book by him and it is well written.

[300rum]

I have Boyd Iverson's "Blacktail Trophy Tactics II".  I read it every year.  He has some great ideas from the tree stand point of view but just in general it is a great book.  I especially like his ideas on bedding areas, feeding areas and what I call staging areas, the areas in between the two.  There is one other special nugget in his book that I will let you find out for yourself.

Basically,
Keep the wind in your face and if you can't, don't waste your time.

If you can't be quiet in the woods, don't waste your time, get up a tree.  I have watched guys bowhunting through a spotting scope,they walk through the woods like they have a rifle or are walking on a side walk and the deer literally run circles around them. 

I disagree with Boyd Iverson on one thing.  Late in the season when we get those big wind storms, when a cold front is coming in, we may even get a little sprinkle out of it, I love to sneak through bedding areas.  I know that the wind is absolutely in my favor and with all the movement with the trees swaying and brush moving and the noise of the pinecones and everything hitting the ground it covers my sound up too.  Now, the deer maybe spooky because of all of the commotion but if you use your binoculars in the tight brush and move extra slow and extra low you may be able to get within 30yds.  In these conditions, if you are smooth enough, if you spook them they usually don't just tear out of there, they usually will just get out of their bed and watch you for awhile. 

Two things I tell myself when I am doing this
1. Don't rob Peter to pay Paul.  Even if an area doesn't look "deery" don't try to jump to the next place, I always get busted whenever I get anxious to get to the next spot.

2. I will look out on the trail or path that I am taking and I estimate the length of a two lane road, it should take me 15 minutes to go that distance.  This is the hardest one ever!  This is also why the old guys, the ones who can't walk as fast, get "lucky".  If you can move this slow and have the wind in your favor you will see more game and you will get a chance............ maybe.    

Good luck.


 

[vanhornhunter]

Backcountry bow hunting by camron hanes.Its a good book!

[heavy hauler]

bowhunting trophy blacktail   by cameron hanes, its got some pretty good advise and some pretty wild ideas.

[bullchaser]

Boyd's book is unbelievable if you take the time to learn it. also mapping trophy buck cant remember the author. for elk cant beat anything by mike lapenski.

[bow4elk]

you might like Mike Eastman's Elk Hunting the West as well as Boyd and Cam's books.

[Little Fish]

These aren't books, but if you plan on chasing elk with a bow in Western Washington you should pick up the 2 videos put out by Angry Spike Productions (ASP). They are both excellent and you will learn a ton watching them. Word is they are going to put out another sometime next spring.

[Longbowz]

Another one that's not really just Washington hunting but hunting the west in general is Fred Eichler's new book:  Bowhunting Western Big Game.   

I recently bought a copy and like it a lot.  Each chapter cover a different species with biology, habits, and the best way to hunt them. Overall a good read.