Customer Reviews

Shots at Whitetails: A Deer Hunting Classic (Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine Classics Series)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Shots at Whitetails", published in 1948, became THE deer-hunting book almost instantly. Larry Koller's clear, straightforward writing based on years of hunting Whitetails in the Adirondacks became the primer for generations of deerhunters.
But things change. Rifles, ammo, laws, clothes, and attitudes keep evolving. Even the deer ranges changed. Prior to 1950, Whitetail deer hunting in the Eastern U.S. meant deep woods hunting. But a short 20 years later deer were in huntable populations thorughout much of the farm country of the Midwest and the sport had a new, much different challenge on the tables.
And of course Koller didn't, and couldn't foresee that, thus didn't write about it. So why give this "re-introduced" book five stars?
Whereas "Shots at Whitetails" was an excellent "hands-on, how-to" book for the Eastern Deer Hunter circa 1950s & 60s, it is also an excellent deer hunting book for any U.S. deer hunter in 2005 -but it's value is now on a different plane, a more charming and elevated plane.
For example, Koller's astute discussion of sighting equipment is solid grounding for any rifleman of any era - a snapshot of where it all was, and came from, and a pleasant, unexpected look into Grampa's days afield. "Peep sights" - You gotta be kidding? But No, they were once a very viable and valuable option - the nuances of which were the topic of more than a few heated discussions back at the deer cabin. And reading of the old deer cabin chores and hunt "mechanics" is just as interesting and educational as the old guns and ammo discussions.
Thus "Shots at Whitetails" - once the " Ultimate How-to" book has become the easy and entertaining, and enlighteniing "magic carpet" that peels away the years to let today's deer hunter relish a few days hunting with Grandad in his prime. It's a grand step back beyond ourselves to the place we came from. That's why five stars.

This book is the best deer hunting book in print for the Northeast still hunter. Written in the 40's, not much has changed. Big bucks still live the way they always have in these woods and the hunting tatics have not changed.

If you are a tree stand hunter hunting in farmland or small tracts, this is not the book for you.

If you hunt in the big woods, this is an excellent resource.

Larry Koller's 'Shots at Whitetails' is a book that truly captures the spirit and meaning of deer hunting. The book is filled with many helpful tips and strategies, along with many amusing anecdotes. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys hunting whitetail deer. Although some topics are a little outdated, there are foot notes in the margins with up to date information. This book was a pleasure to read, and I enjoyed being brought back to the 1940's to go on a deer hunt with Larry and his buddies.

Also recommended: Big Bucks the Benoit Way by Bryce Towsley, Way of the Whitetail by Leonard Lee Rue III, The Deer Trackers by R.G. Bernier

As the others have said before me, this book recounts how to hunt deer in the days before all the gadgetry has been thrust upon us all. Consequently, the book does take one down memory lane, but in so doing reacquaints the hunter with the fundamentals of deer hunting. This is a good thing. Too often I find myself trying the newest techniques proposed in the magazines, and not having as much success as I would like. After reading this book I have found myself being reminded of some the basics and being more successful. All in all, an enjoyable boon and profitable as well.

Good so far but haven't had a chance to read much of it yet. Look forward to picking it back up after the holidays.

I had a copy of Shots at Whitetails since I was 10, and I make a habit to read it cover to cover once a year. Its that good. Yes, guns cartridges and sights have changed some since 1948, also there are a lot more deer to hunt than in 1948, most all of what Larry has to say about it, is just as valid today as it was when he hunted Sullivan County, NY. Its a must for any student of the sport. And its a must have for they beginning deer hunters who have no mentors to follow. Just sit back, pour yourself a dram or two of single malt and enjoy.

By the time I was old enough to hunt at, 12? - 13?- my father, who taught me to shoot, had lost most of his sight and couldn't help anymore. He did give me a copy of the Still Hunter, and I discovered Shots at Whitetails on my own. I absorbed everything the two authors wrote and, after to moving to Maine after schooling, applied those lessons. It took a few years to combine book learning with experience, but the lessons imbedded in the two books guided me and eventually, I became a pretty good hunter. When I shot my first deer, I did so exactly because of what I learned here. And I've gone on from there in the ensuing 30 years.

I leave in two days for a deer hunt with my son, a good rifle man but not-yet a hunter, and I have ordered this book for him - I can give him some guidance, but who listens to his old man? Seeing it in print is more impressive. Between Mr.Kohler and me, though, I expect we'll do well.

Old book, written in 1948 so some of the technical data and equipment items are no longer current, but the woodsmanship and hunting skills are great. Good hunter stories. Well written by a real, experienced hunter.