BOOK REVIEW - "THE BOWHUNTER'S GUIDE TO BETTER SHOOTING"

TITLE, AUTHOR, AND PUBLICATION INFO
“THE BOWHUNTER’S GUIDE TO BETTER SHOOTING”
by Patrick Meitin
Copyright 2011 by Petersen’s Bowhunting and InterMedia Outdoors Company
299 pages






SUMMARY
This book is stuffed full of archery and shooting information. Mr. Meitin
not only gives expert advice on the mechanics of proper form and shooting
methods but he provides in-depth technical guidance on everything from the
parts of the bow, to arrow flight, to setting up a challenging 3D course.
The book covers all aspects of traditional and modern archery shooting and
equipment.

BREAKING IT DOWN
Plain and simple, this book tells you how to make yourself a better archer
on the range and in the field. There is something for everyone here that
will keep even the most experienced archer flipping through the pages
looking for that next little nugget of wisdom. Be warned however, this book
is not for the novice archery shooter. I’ve been shooting bow for a number
of years now and I had to force myself to slow down while reading this book
in order to be able to absorb the huge amount of information.

LIKES
· There is a chapter at the end of the book dedicated to getting
children and family members involved in the sport of archery. As a
youth archery instructor, I applaud the writing.
· What a great reference guide this book will make! If you are having
issues with any part of your shooting form or equipment, having this
book to turn to will help lead you back to your happy place.
· I tire of authors who try to please everyone by being politically
correct. Mr. Meitin comes right out and says it, “Wheat is harvested.
Animals are killed.” Bravo, Mr. Meitin, bravo.

DISLIKES
· An archery book that is technical in nature should not include both
traditional and modern archery equipment and shooting methods. They
are so vastly different that each deserve to be in their own volumes.

Check out my blog, videos, and lots of other stuff at www.thinkarchery.com.
If you would like to discuss this or any other archery topic with me
directly, please feel free to email me at todd@thinkarchery.com



***Disclaimer-This book was provided for my review by the editor of
Petersen’s Bowhunting Magazine.***

BOOK REVIEW - "Whitetail-Fundamentals and Fine Points for the Hunter"

TITLE, AUTHOR, AND PUBLICATION INFO
“WHITETAIL-FUNDAMENTALS AND FINE POINTS FOR THE HUNTER”
by George Mattis
Copyright 1969 by Popular Science/Outdoor Life Book Division
273 pages



SUMMARY
Strange as it may seem for me, this book is NOT about archery hunting at
all. Instead, it is old-school still hunting with rifles and deer hunting
storytelling at its best. But don’t let that fool you. There are plenty of
lessons to be learned in these pages for hunters of today regardless of
what type of weapon we choose to hunt with. I seldom re-read a book more
than once but not only have I read this book MANY times, I have even
purchased a second one in case I wear the first one out!

BREAKING IT DOWN
Hunting Methods - the author uses over half of the book to discuss various
rifle hunting methods
Whitetail Characteristics – there is a lot of info in this book about deer
behavior and habits
Still Hunting – the main focus of the entire book

LIKES
· Mr. Mattis grew up a hunter and (to me) became a very talented
outdoor writer. His matter-of-fact way of telling us a story while
imparting his knowledge is refreshing and makes for very easy
reading.
· I was very happy to see a chapter that talked about wounded deer. Not
only that, but he discusses different types of wounds and how to
proceed with your tracking based on field data.
· This book is NOT technical. In fact, it reads almost like a novel.
But read it only once and you will discover that you have learned
something.

DISLIKES
· While Mr. Mattis does not come right out and advocate taking a shot
at a running deer, he does not state that this should not be done. I
am a firm believer that under no circumstance should anyone shoot at
a running deer.
· Due to the fact that this book was written in 1969, the term “rut”
included pre and post rut phases…even though these terms didn’t exist
back then. The author only devotes one chapter to the “rut”.

IN MY SIGHTS
This book is fun to read! I guarantee that you will enjoy being taken back
to your grandfather’s and great-grandfather’s time to experience how deer
hunting was then. Compare it to today’s hunting methods and be amazed at
how much things have changed…and how much they haven’t.


Check out my blog, videos, and lots of other stuff at www.thinkarchery.com.
If you would like to discuss this or any other archery topic with me
directly, please feel free to email me at todd@thinkarchery.com

BOOK REVIEW - "Bowhunter's Guide to Accurate Shooting"

TITLE, AUTHOR, AND PUBLICATION INFO
“BOWHUNTER’S GUIDE TO ACCURATE SHOOTING”
by Lon E. Lauber (www.lonlauber.com)
Copyright 2005 by Creative Publishing International, Inc
(www.creativepub.com)
127 pages



SUMMARY
As the title of the book implies, this publication focuses on fine tuning
your archery equipment and skills to achieve the most accurate shot
possible when the moment of truth arrives during your hunt. However, many
of the tips and suggestions in this book can also be applied to target and
3D archery shooters. While most of this book talks about compound bows and compound bow shooting, the author sprinkles in a little traditional archery
information as well.

BREAKING IT DOWN
There are three primary areas that the author deals with..
Equipment – with a chapter dedicated to achieving consistent arrow flight
Shooting Form – includes a chapter on yardage estimation
Field Application – including a chapter on shooting in adverse conditions

LIKES
· Mr. Lauber writes from experience. He shares his successful (and
sometimes not-so successful) hunting stories and imparts to us what
he has learned from those adventures.
· There are many photographs, illustrations, charts, and drawings
throughout the book that offer informative and supporting visual
aids.
· While this is a somewhat technical book, I like that Mr. Lauber also
wades into the mental aspect of archery shooting. Oftentimes, this
side of archery is overlooked in other how-to books.
· LOTS of useful information! This book will make an excellent
reference guide.

DISLIKES
· This really isn’t a dislike but there is a LOT of information in this
book and I would like to have seen the author spend more time on each
subject.
· The contents page at the front of the book does not do justice to
what is between the covers.
· Speaking of the covers…the front cover really turned me off! The
ancient camo pattern the hunter is wearing almost made me NOT pick
this book up. It made me think the content of the book was not
up-to-date.

IN MY SIGHTS