Customer Reviews

The Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book offers a veritable wealth of information for hunters, campers, fishermen and others who spend recreation time in the outdoors. I've used it to identify types of fish, to know how to build a fire in the rain, and to prepare food for overnight hikes. I'd give it 5 stars if it hadn't suggested one thing I consider very poor judgement--using prairie dogs as targets for practice. As a hunter and fisherman, I NEVER would take even a prairie dog's life needlessly... try a few clay pigeons instead.

Lots of info on everything from hunting, ballistics, survival, boating, fishing to first aid. Very worthwhile buy. Wish it had more on tracking game but overall it is very complete.

Very good coffee table book for the sportsman with much good advice. Interesting information on a variety of items. Color printing would of been a big plus.

This is a great book for Survivalist, Hikers, and Campers alike. It is filled with easy to follow information and instructions on, Fishing, Hunting, Bow shooting, Foraging, Shelters, Medical and First Aid in the field! Edible plants, Starting a Campfire and more!
Very useful in times of emergancy home evacuation! A must have!

I purchased this book in the hopes that it would give me current information - but I've found that the bulk of the information contained between the covers dates from the mid 20th century.

For example: The 'prairie dogs as target practice' (as noted by another reviewer) seems much more 1950's mentality - or that of a farmer/rancher plagued by them. Much like groundhogs are targeted in the east. However, we don't use them as "target practice". We actively attempt to eliminate them. Target practice implies that if you don't kill cleanly, it's no big deal (?) ...

Also, in the listing of hunting camps, some of the information (only commenting on that of which I have personal knowledge) is grossly outdated. One of the camps listed in PA has been a private home since the early 1960's. And the book was printed in 2000. There are at least half a dozen other camps listed that are no longer in business.

Overall, the book serves somewhat the purpose for which it was intended. It is indeed comprehensive - but for the $121 price tag, I'd have appreciated some sort of secretary in the background doing some basic fact checking - especially since it should take a competent person less than 2 40-hour weeks to run down the "still in operation" hunting camps.

In short, if you bought this book to find country-wide locations in which to practice your particular sport do some on-line research before you call the "camp". You'll save yourself a lot of trouble trying to explain to the little old lady on the other end of the line how you got her # or why you're calling her.

~Regards, the little old lady who just plunked down $121 to find out *exactly* why her phone rings once a fortnight at 2am with a guy trying to set up a hunting trip.