8 Books Every Hunter Should Read

The subject of hunting has inspired almost as much writing as the subject of love, and it tends to be a lot more fun to read. Here’s a rundown of some of the best hunting books of all time – at least in my opinion – having to do with hunting. Since the list includes such disparate genres as cookbooks, history, biography, literature and how-to, you should not assume that they are listed in any meaningful order. Each is a must for anyone who loves hunting.

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Hunt High

Hunt High, by Duncan Gilchrist
No, this is not a book about the benefits of smoking weed while you hunt. Rather, this book is essential reading for anyone who yearns to venture above the tree line in search of big game. Gilchrist, who died in 2002, worked as a forester in Maine and Alaska before turning himself full-time to hunting and writing. He published about a dozen excellent books on hunting, including the invaluable All About Bears and several works on mountain sheep, but Hunt High is arguably Gilchrist’s finest work. Drawn from high country experiences in places ranging from Alaska to Montana to New Zealand, it is packed with alpine observations, hunting strategies and camping tactics that will make you a better and more informed high-country hunter.

  • shaun

    All added to my list. Jim Harrison is my favorite by far.

  • Derrek Sigler

    Great to see Chris Eberhart's book on that list. It was one of the easiest books to edit and it made me want to go hunting. When he pitched it to me, I knew it was going to be good.

  • Jack Wallingford

    David Peterson's own books are some of the best hunting books that should be on this list. Of course, you missed Jim Harrison's crony at Sports Illustrated, Robert F. Jones. HIs books on hunting are a must read. If you have not included The Lions of Tsavo on future lists, you should. I would also include The Old Pro Turkey Hunter by Gene Nunnery and Howard Hill's autobiography. I can think of about six more, but I am not trying to disparage your list, only to find what i think might be more essential than what i see here.
    It is odd. I remember seeing Jim Harrison's column when he wrote for Sports Afield and because i was not that much of a chef, I did not read him. I read another of his cronies work far more frequently, and that is Thomas McGuane, an outstanding novelist and great writer about fishing. Now, that I have had an opportunity to read Harrison, yet again, and I am, I am reading with gusto all his novels and his novellas and I have not yet read his book listed here. I will soon. JW

  • great dane

    Great list, but you left out the greatest hunting book ever written.
    Alaskan Yukon Trophies Won and Lost by G.O. Young
    download for free at http://www.alaskansafari.com

    • Hunter Dan

      "Hunter's Heart" is my favorite. I think you should also ad "Heartsblood" by Petersen along with "In Defense of Hunting" by James Swan to make it a nice top ten list.

  • T Downing

    While I definitely enjoy Dave Petersen's "A Hunter's Heart", some of his other work like "Heartsblood, Hunting, Spirituality, and Wildness In America" stand out on its own…What a great read, I believe it to be mandatory reading for all hunters. Another one of his books, "A Man Made of Elk" is simply the finest elk hunting book I have ever read. You literally feel as though you are hunting with the author and his insight and experience with these animals is truly captivating…

  • JosephS

    Petersen's "A Hunter's Heart" is a great book. He edited, collected, and contributed his own writing to this outstanding volume. To get a good flavor of Petersen, a true-blue read-deal hunter, you should check out his classic "Heartsblood" and widely read, and informative, "Racks" (in a new updated edition). "Heartsblood" is thoughtful and thought provoking. It is my favorite hunting book ever. Period. His "A Man Made of Elk" is the most honest book on elk hunting I have ever read, as well as a dandy glimpse into the life of man who lives and breathes elk hunting. I have purchased several of his books from his website for myself and friends. I was not only impressed with all his books but also that he autographs each one. T Downing listed his website. Check him out, but be warned, after you read one of his books you will buy the rest of them…Joseph

  • Mark R.

    Great to see Dave Petersen getting the recognition he deserves, Hunter's Heart is a great one but I think Heartsblood is better. I think it was Heartsblood that turned me on to another great read, Dersu the Trapper, which should be a part of every hunter's library.

    What makes Petersen different than others is he is the real deal, he lives what he writes and sticks to his opinions even in the face of criticism from other hunters. I respect and admire that very much.

    Thanks for the link to his website, signed copies of his works would be very cool!
    Mark R.

  • Chris

    It looks like a good book though. Its time we shift from football a bit and focus on hunting…

  • Kevin. Ketron

    Elmer North's Hell I was There should be added a must read for anyone.

  • Kevin. Ketron

    Elmer Keith not Elmer north I hate auto spell ChkL.