Best Bowhunting Books – Your 2021 Guide

Best Overall:
Precision Bowhunting by John and Chris Eberhart

Specs

High-level Detail: Every bit of information you could need from a hunting perspective

Relevance: All the most recent thinking in the sport, from hides to gear

Scientific Approach: All the knowledge relevant to hunting white-tail deer

Focus: Situational and seasonal in its focus

Review

This book takes a new approach. Starting with the off-season, the Eberharts demonstrate how hunting is a year-round activity, including a lot of staking out and scouting. They dive deep into their knowledge of the quarry and lay it all out with a real down-to-earth understanding of the hunt. 

They specialize in hunting deer in high-pressure areas and give the reader many anecdotes to bring across what they mean. They even focus on various conditions the hunter may find himself in and ways to maximize your trip, come what may. 

Bottom Line

You’ll love how much detail there is that’s specific to whitetail. It gives you a guide on preparing in the off-season so that you have everything you need when the time is right.

Overall, it holds modern, scientific information that’s still very relevant.

Runner-up:
Petersen's Bowhunting by Bill Winke

Specs

High-level Detail: An exhaustively detailed and comprehensive guide

Relevance: This work is as current as you could wish for, cataloging all aspects of the sport today

Scientific Approach: Winke leaves nothing to guesswork and brings expert solutions to basic problems 

Focus: Equipment

Review

This book comes right out of the long experience of Bill Winke, who is the field editor for the Petersen’s Bowhunting magazine. His focus throughout the work is on the weapon itself, and he expertly guides you through all aspects of the craft. 

From general maintenance to ensuring your gear is suited to requirements, Winke is an acknowledged expert in the field. He unpacks many of the common errors hunters make and shows how to set yourself up with the best bows, arrows, and accessories, a great resource for hunters of all kinds. 

Bottom Line

What makes this book stand out is the excellent depth of detail. It has a practical approach to equipment and combines several years of experience that you’ll enjoy reading through.

If you’re a professional in the field, you’ll easily grasp many of the difficult jargon and terms.

Best for the Money:
Shooter’s Bible Guide to Bowhunting by Todd A. Kuhn

Specs

High-level Detail: This is a standalone book that covers a huge amount but with specificity

Relevance: There are no gaps in this work. All the most recent developments are covered

Scientific and Historical Approach: The book takes pains to trace aspects of the sport from their origins, all the way to where we are now

Focus: Broad, from historical background to modern equipment

Review

As far as a general resource into the sport goes, you can do no better than this. Dr. Kuhn takes the reader through wide-ranging aspects of bowhunting, from its historical roots all the way to the most modern gadgets and tricks.

He gives wide-ranging advice on a dazzling array of related topics, and if there’s a general question to be asked, the answer is almost certainly here. It may seem a little daunting to a newbie, but as far as the application of information goes, you’d do well to beat this one. 

Bottom Line

While this book might be challenging for beginners to understand, it sweeps across practical and technical details of bowhunting. There’s a touch of historical information mixed with scientific if you’d love to explore the roots of the sport.

There’s so much detail in the book, including the equipment engineering. You’ll be left with a vast volume of knowledge in your head.

Editor’s Pick:
Traditional Archery Hunting by Clay Hayes

Specs

Mid-level Detail: This book is not detail-heavy but more holistic in its account

Relevance: The longbow is Hayes’ focus, and this brings a more traditional feel to work

Philosophical, Aesthetic, and Historical in Approach: This is a collection of stories, and there’s an emphasis on man and his surroundings

Focus: On a specific weapon

Review

Slightly shorter than the others on this list, this book is a more philosophical look at a specific type of bow; the longbow. Hayes sets the book out in a series of stories, through which he demonstrates a deep affinity with the quarry and the wider natural setting too. 

This is a thoughtful and serious reflection on the fundamentals of hunting itself, as well as the traditional relationship of humans to their environment. This is a great book for those looking to the sport for something holistic and experiential. Great for newbies and pros alike. 

Bottom Line

This book has a casual approach to the sport and is easier for beginners to step into the industry. Most modern methods aren’t contained in these pages, but you’ll experience a journey into the mind of a hunter.

You’ll also notice a personal, philosophical touch to the writing style.

Honorable Mention:
Hunting with the Bow and Arrow by Saxton Pope

Specs

Mid-level Detail: By modern standards, this is not a detail-oriented work but more of a general text

Relevance: Pope guides us through the making of bows and arrows and the background to the craft

Cultural and Historical in Approach: Much of the work is about the cultures which led to bowhunting in America.

Focus: On a specific weapon

Review

Saxton Pope is a canonical figure in modern bowhunting, and his famous book had remained in print since his death in 1926. Having learned the craft from the Native American people, he brought the sport into the mainstream it enjoys today. His book has chapters on making bows, arrows, and quivers. 

It also devotes chapters to various prey animals, from raccoons all the way to grizzly bears. As far as a traditional take on hunting with a bow goes, look no further than this book,  which has something for everyone, including those who are just curious.

Bottom Line

This book lingers more towards a cultural approach, and you won’t find much in terms of actual guidance. Still, you’ll love reading about the various quarry and find a whole chapter devoted to history. Definitely aimed more towards a casual Sunday read.