Customer Reviews

Pheasants of the Mind: A Hunter's Search for a Mythic Bird

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Pheasants of the Mind, Mr. Proper explores not only his personal, and quite entertaining, exploits while chasing pheasants, but he also covers the fairly esoteric subject of pointing dogs for pheasants and outfitting for a successful hunt, based on the culmination of years of experience. A fascinating read, written in fairly complex tongue. If you love pheasants and fine literature, then you should love Pheasants of the Mind.

I have read scores of outdoor books and this is one of the best. Proper's writing transcends the genre. His references to mythology brings hunting literature into a larger realm and shows us more than we guessed about ourselves. The precious sounding title was a turnoff until I read the book and saw how it reflected the text. It combines instruction and the pleasure of pheasant hunting in an exemplary way. The line drawings are good too, at least,in the original edition. I haven't seen the reprint.

Datus Proper has written about both the spirit
and the practical aspects of pheasant hunting.
And he has done it well.

This is the best (and best written)book on bird hunting I've ever read.

Datus C. Proper's Pheasants of the Mind is a highly thoughtful treatment of the ringneck pheasant and those who pursue it. More than a book about hunters, guns and dogs, this is a great read that goes beyond the mind and right to the heart of the pleasure, perils and ethics of upland bird hunting. Along with Steve Grooms' Pheasant Hunter's Harvest, it stands out like a bold cock pheasant in a recently plowed field.

I had this book before I ever owned a pointer-read it, loved it...then my old faithful chocolate lab died after 13 great years and I waited for the right pup to come along. She did, a German Shorthair/English Pointer (by design) with a chocolate lab colored head. After one full season hunting wild pheasants with her I read this special book again. Certain chapters many more times.
"You may want to think your dog is hunting pheasants for you. He thinks he is hunting them with you. He does not reason well, but he perceives what you want before you understand it yourself. He also runs beyond your aspirations, and he knows something at which you can only guess: where the bird is. You and dog mesh. You are strong in what he lacks, weak where he is strong. No other team has so little redundancy of skill, such economy of baggage. The shared part adds no weight. You and your dog have the same emotions in the field. It feels odd to share things like that, uncomfortable, even, if you believe only one of you has a soul."

God bless Datus C. Proper

In addition to the other reviews, I can't emphasize enough that this book not only has great tactical, historical, and cullinary perspecitive, but is actually LITERATURE. I've read the book perhaps 5 or 6 times through now, and it's just a classic--easy to read and food for the mind. Although Datus Proper has passed on now, his story will live on. My style and thought on pheasant changed after I read this book. Critical to your hunting library!

The book is spot-on in getting to the essence of a hunter, a dog and a game bird that is every bit intoxicating in the mind as in the field.

But . . . there's this other thing. The recipe for cooking and serving roast pheasant at the back of the book. It's written like a passage from scripture. It tastes like the ascension into heaven.

Bought for my DH (avid pheasant hunter) to read over Christmas. He had it read in 2 days and said it was a "good book". He didn't rave over it - but for him to pick it up with all the other Christmas "toys" around says that it was interesting. Would recommend.

Reading Proper's book is like hunting with one's favorite relative, if that person were also well traveled, learned, and above all, entertaining in the best sense. There aren't many hunting books with footnotes, but this is hardly a boring, or condescending work. Proper hunted in Europe and all over the U.S. but never presents his experience without telling a joke or two at his own expense. (His attempts to find briar-proof clothes are humorous, only because my own thorn wounds are long healed.) He writes movingly of the alchemy of a hunter working with a fine gun-dog. In addition, he makes serious comments on the questions of land use and species conservation and the proper balance of a fine sporting arm. There are even some recipes that are simply mouthwatering to merely read! There are also evocative drawings by Eldridge Hardie. A non-hunting relative who is a veterinarian read much of the book since she was familiar with Proper's writings on Portugal, and loved this. Reading doesn't help me push birds out of the mazes of dried cattails they often favor or stop me from blasting the dried leaves rather than a rooster. (Could I see a show of hands from those who have also missed this way... thanks.) But it makes some of those nights away from the fields better.

Mr. Proper's unwinding the mysteries of the Long Tailed Bird are very insightful, Past, Present and hopefully Future. This treatise is a most refreshing read, very well organized, subject thoroughly covered and that most important dash of humor and wit. He speaks of days past and the time of plenty as well as the harsh reality of today's condition's. A Hunter can relate to all the information, it was as walking along side Mr. Proper or envisioning the days past when a person can recall the very things he speaks of. A Great Bedside Reference or Fireside Friend, I will reread this often.