I’ll admit it, I’m not much of a shopper and buying gifts for people is not my forte. Most of us guys know better than to go out and buy clothes for our wives at Christmas; we are better off just going along with them and saying, “yes dear, that looks great”. I suppose by the same token buying hunting and fishing gadgets and gizmos for the hunter or fisherman in the family can also be a bit intimidating. With all that in mind however I do have a feasible solution-how about a book about improving your chances of taking a nice buck with a bow?

Allow me to elaborate a bit. The idea for the book as a gift came about when I received my copy of the book, “Pursuing Pennsylvania”-A Bowhunting Resource by Todd R. Bromley.

Todd contacted me months ago and asked me to produce the cover art for the book he was writing. That cover, pictured in this column, features a buck, bear and turkey all of which are discussed in Todd’s book.

Like a lot of archery hunters, I am always interested in discovering anything I can to improve my odds of taking a buck with a bow especially a big buck. Todd Bromley is certainly in a good position to write such a book since he has devoted a lifetime to bowhunting, and his success is certainly noteworthy. Todd has currently bow-killed animals listed in six different big game record book registries and he has recorded two top 10’s in the world. In 2015 he arrowed the 15th largest black bear ever killed in Pennsylvania. In addition to all of that Todd has had over 100 bowhunting articles published in various outdoor magazines and he is an active member of a number of hunting organizations.

While Todd has killed seven “mature” bucks I would probably consider them all trophy bucks . Todd is quick to point out in his book that he prefers hunting mature bucks of 4 1/2 years or older but that does not necessarily make them trophies since what is a “trophy” varies from state to state. While Todd concentrates on hunting mature bucks he is also quick to point out that antler size should never be the measuring stick of a successful hunt.

While I don’t have space to get into all the details and information presented in Todd’s book I will pass along some of his tips and advice. Todd is quick to point out that “now” is the time to start preparing for next year’s hunt even after the present season comes to an end. With the exception of heavy snow cover in the dead of winter Todd recommends scouting out potential feeding areas, bedding areas and travel routes in preparation for next year’s hunt. He also recommends having more than one buck on the radar screen-having several potential targets greatly increases your chances of success.

The book offers tips on how to assess feeding patterns and how to evaluate buck rubs and scrapes and he is quick to point out that we should try to avoid entering mature bucks bedding areas. The book helps a hunter to better discern what a mature buck’s bedding area might consist of; something many hunters may have some difficulty doing. The book goes on to discuss stand placement, timing the hunt and the use of trail cameras. There is even a chapter on bowhunting for bears and one on how best to bow hunt for turkeys with a bow.

I found the book very enlightening and helpful and I’m sure any serious bow-hunter would feel the same. If you are interested in learning more or you wish to order a book go to http://www.pursuingpennsylvania.com.