An unforgettable story about the fascinating behavior of the most elusive of wild game birds. When Joe Hutto began his experiment in imprinting two dozen wild turkey--in the tradition of the great animal behaviorist, Konrad Lorenz--he had no idea that it would change his life. Told with skill and humor, and vibrating with the natural wonders of the Florida flatwoods, Illumination in the Flatwoods will amaze and enrich all who share this season with the wild turkey.
The days are gone when seemingly limitless numbers of canvasbacks, mallards, and Canada geese filled the skies above the Texas coast. Gone too are the days when, in a single morning, hunters often harvested ducks, shorebirds, and other waterfowl by the hundreds. The hundred-year period from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries brought momentous changes in attitudes and game laws: changes initially prompted by sportsmen who witnessed the disappearance of both the birds and their spectacular habitat. These changes forever affected the state’s storied hunting culture. Yet, as R. K. Sawyer discovered, the rich lore and reminiscences of the era’s hunters and guides who plied the marshy haunts from Beaumont to Brownsville, though fading, remain a colorful and essential part of the Texas outdoor heritage. Gleaned from interviews with sportsmen and guides of decades past as well as meticulous research in news archives, Sawyer’s vivid documentation of Texas’ deep-rooted waterfowl hunting tradition is accompanied by a superb collection of historical and modern photographs. He showcases the hunting clubs, the decoys, the duck and goose calls, the equipment, and the unique hunting practices of the period. By preserving this account of a way of life and a coastal environment that have both mostly vanished, A Hundred Years of Texas Waterfowl Hunting also pays tribute to the efforts of all those who fought to ensure that Texas’ waterfowl legacy would endure. This book will aid their efforts, along with those of coastal residents, birders, wildlife biologists, conservationists, and all who are interested in the state’s natural history and in championing the preservation of waterfowl and wetland resources for the benefit of future generations.
One winter, after an enforced period of quiet, William Fiennes finds himself restless and yearning for adventure. Inspired by his reading about the migratory patterns of birds, he flies to Texas to find the million-strong flocks of snow geese and to follow them on their spring flight thousands of miles north to breeding grounds on the Arctic tundra. This mesmerizing book, already a classic, captures their journey with wisdom, humility and endless curiosity. It is a meditation on freedom of movement, on seeing the world anew, and on the joy of returning - indefinably changed.
Morgan's humorous and resource-filled collection of essays centers on turkey hunting, wildlife behavior, and growing up in the small Louisiana town of Jackson in the mid-20th century.A mixed breed of a book, it's what you get when you cross the roguish, homespun charm of a master storyteller with the wisdom of a master hunter, turkey caller maker, inventor, naturalist, and teacher-philosopher.With humility and humor the late Kenny Morgan (1946-2011) uses the antics of his lovable, but uncivilized childhood mongrel dog, Buster, as allegory for human nature, with the gentle reminder that "how you act matters." Morgan offers a witty examination of simpler times, giving voice to characters and shenanigans of his colorful life, with relevance -- life lessons -- for our time. The book's format pairs lush images of wildlife and American landscapes with Morgan's thoughtful musings on 50+ years of pursuing the wild turkey--and the practice he's learned along the way to "live artfully." "My intent is to set standards by teaching the artistry of the hunt: practicing cleverness and integrity in the pursuit of wild things," he says.Indeed, the book brims with expert wild turkey-calling and -hunting technique. But its real beauty comes through Morgan's captivating observations of wildlife, told with vivid tales that ensnare hunters and non-hunters alike with fascinating insights, such as how animals communicate--even across species--to look out for one another.Even more, it's about applying principles learned in the wild to cultivate decency with choices we make on the paths of the everyday.Anyone who appreciates a story well-told and compelling art photographs, or someone looking for first-rate tips to call up and bag a gobbler, will find this book a valuable addition to their library, nightstand, or coffee table.America, Wild Turkeys & Mongrel Dogs is a celebration of the joy that is all around us.
Snow Geese: Mastering the Art of Snow Goose Hunting Unlock the Secrets to Successful Snow Goose Hunting Are you ready to take your snow goose hunting to the next level? Snow Geese: Mastering the Art of Snow Goose Hunting is your ultimate guide to mastering this exhilarating sport. Discover the Basics and Beyond From the fundamental techniques to advanced strategies, this comprehensive book covers everything you need to know. Learn about the rich history of snow goose hunting, the importance of conservation, and how to select the perfect decoys and calls. Master the Art of Decoy Hunting and Calling Create irresistible decoy spreads that will draw in flocks of snow geese. Learn how to use a variety of calls to mimic the sounds of nature and entice these magnificent birds. Master advanced calling techniques to outsmart even the wariest birds. Hunt Smarter, Not Harder Learn how to optimize your hunting experience with the right gear and equipment. Discover the best strategies for hunting snow geese in different regions, whether you're hunting over water or in fields. Learn how to use layout blinds effectively and incorporate electronic calls into your hunting strategy. Become a Conservation-Minded Hunter Understand the importance of conservation in snow goose hunting and learn how to contribute to sustainable hunting practices. Elevate Your Hunting Experience With Snow Geese: Mastering the Art of Snow Goose Hunting, you'll gain the knowledge and skills to become a more successful and ethical snow goose hunter. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or a newcomer to the sport, this book is your essential companion. Order your copy today and start your journey to becoming a snow goose hunting expert!
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 - April 21, 1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist. He wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), the latter often called "The Great American Novel." Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, which provided the setting for Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. After an apprenticeship with a printer, he worked as a typesetter and contributed articles to the newspaper of his older brother, Orion Clemens. He later became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River before heading west to join Orion in Nevada. He referred humorously to his singular lack of success at mining, turning to journalism for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise. In 1865, his humorous story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," was published, based on a story he heard at Angels Hotel in Angels Camp, California, where he had spent some time as a miner. The short story brought international attention, and was even translated into classic Greek. His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty. Though Twain earned a great deal of money from his writings and lectures, he invested in ventures that lost a great deal of money, notably the Paige Compositor, a mechanical typesetter, which failed because of its complexity and imprecision. In the wake of these financial setbacks, he filed for protection from his creditors via bankruptcy, and with the help of Henry Huttleston Rogers eventually overcame his financial troubles. Twain chose to pay all his pre-bankruptcy creditors in full, though he had no legal responsibility to do so. Twain was born shortly after a visit by Halley's Comet, and he predicted that he would "go out with it," too. He died the day after the comet returned. He was lauded as the "greatest American humorist of his age," and William Faulkner called Twain "the father of American literature."
Through the images of award-winning photographer Gary Kramer and the words of Kramer and Greg Mensik, Waterfowl of the World takes readers on a visual and literary journey in search of all 167 species of ducks, geese, and swans on Earth. Among these are a few on the brink of extinction, like the Madagascar Pocharand Brazilian Merganser; and those that are struggling, such as the White-winged Duck and Baer's Pochard.
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
