Hunting with the Bow & Arrow

by Saxton T. Pope

This classic original printed in 1923, tells the tale of the author and his friends who took up hunting deer with the bow and arrow in the late teen's and went on to harvest Cougar, Black Bear, Dall Sheep, Moose, Grizzly Bear, and Kodiak Bear with their basic handmade wooden bows and arrows. Dr. Pope informs you how to make your own tackle too. This treatise directly and indirectly inspired the thousands and now millions of sportsmen to take up hunting with the bow and arrow. It is regarded as the bible of modern bowhunting. This edition is the first paperback of this title in 26 years. This important title has not been available in any form for 7 years.

Genres: Nonfiction, Outdoors, History, Classics

310 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

Saxton Temple Pope was an American doctor, teacher, author and outdoorsman. He is most famous as the father of modern bow hunting, and for his close relationship with Ishi, the last member of the Yahi tribe and the last known American Indian to be raised largely isolated from Western culture. He continued bowhunting until his death in 1926 from pneumonia.

Reviews

[Richard Schwindt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose it is good when a book leaves you with a sense of longing. Ishi, the last of his tribe, wandered into the world of the west and made the best he could of his loss, becoming a minor celebrity. For him bow hunting was sacred, and a complex art. His doctor, Saxton Pope, took his experiences with Ishi and bow hunting and turned them into a classic work of the outdoors. It still reads well today, though the reader is acutely conscious of what vanishes in this world. You get a vision of an Indiana Jones kind of dude poking around the forest and mesa, wooden bow at the ready, after whatever he can bring down. Bow hunting can get quite weird and high techy these days but there is still a strong rump of purists with their recurves and long bows. You can't go as far as to say no animals were harmed in the writing of this book but they are at least portrayed in the context of their earlier role as game and food for human beings. Best read on the deck, looking into the middle distance, surrounded by undertrimmed bushes, drinking from a tin cup of hellishly strong coffee.

[Paige Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Unfortunately the Kindle copy of it is just scans of the original so it’s kind of hard to read, but it was WELL worth the effort and I am definitely going to be getting a physical copy now! Such a great piece of the history of bow hunting and a beautiful treatise on the craft and soul of hunting. Really, really great!


Favorite Quote: “We were trained down to rawhide and sinew, keyed to alertness and ready for any emergency.“

[William Orkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

If you are curious at all about archery and hunting, then this is a a historical necessity. The author is as talented in his writing as he is with a bow.

[Bates Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly wonderful. Has joined the ranks of one of my favorite books of all time. It is not without its issues - but these are of the time it was written.

The North American model of conservation had not been established in legislation, and certainly not as a public philosophy. As a result - the individuals in this boo shot birds of prey, took reckless shots, spoke of predators as threats to ecosystem function, etc.

As a result - it’s easy to look at the stories in this story and claim that they were functioning in opposition to the conservation and wildlife management systems we have today. And that would be correct. But this was before the decline of birds of prey (DDT motivated), before science around predators and the reality of trophic cascade, and before licensing and regulation existed in many states.

We have to keep that in mind while reading it.

With that in mind - the commentary on indigenous culture is problematic - and a time capsule of the public sentiment at the time. BUT. At the same time. The way Saxton Pope talks of Ishi is one of the most profound narratives of native/colonizer relationships I have ever read. He describes Ishi as a philosopher, not as something lesser. And in spite of the tropes that Pope occasionally employs throughout concerning indigenous culture, this is something to be commended.

Ultimately, this book is a celebration of indigenous culture and practice, primarily around the bow and arrow. And it does that masterfully, laden with poetry and a philosophy of meditative intention. I love it.

Liturgy at its finest. I think this is required reading for anyone looking to step into a hunting lifestyle, and essential for those who are long timers in the craft.

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is deception afoot here, as this is not one book. It is actually three short books in one volume – a solemn book about Ishi, the last of the Yahi tribe, a (very detailed) book about making bows and arrows, and a campfire-story book about the author’s adventures hunting various game around North America. All three books are fascinating, though I admit I have skimmed through the middle part, seeing as I won’t be making my own archery tackle. The hunting part strikes a slightly cognitively dissonant tone, as I feel like I should be against hunting based on vague moral grounds even though I enjoy eating meat wholeheartedly. However, Pope’s storytelling chops and the fact the book was written a century ago help dissipate that feeling and leave me enjoying his description of the untamed American outdoors and the various techniques they have utilized to bring down beasts great and small with “just sticks and a bit of twine”.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

These kind of books are not being written nowadays, also probably of a few sensible hunting descriptions of bear hunts.

I am not exactly sure, but I cannot think that 4 archers hunting down a grizzly mother with 4 young cubs and kill them all would be legal nowadays in any country.

Anyway, when you overlook this aspect (different times 100 years ago...) you get an interesting read about various kind of bows with staggering draw weights, making of the bow, making of arrows, old Indian hunting tricks and so on.

Very interesting to read and especially good during explanation of “shooting the bow”, where even experienced archers still can learn something new.

My vote is five arrows on the bow-scale.

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up the free kindle version of this book which unfortunately doesn’t have any of the seemingly remarkable images referenced throughout.

The book has several sections written by a doctor who focused on hunting with and crafting bows and arrows. The most interesting is his relationship with Ishi, the last known Indian to live away from European contact in North America, and the game that he has hunted with the bow.

The chapters on the types of bows, building of bows, crafting of arrows are pretty dull. Especially without the support of images.

If you want to build your own bow or would like a hit of history- check the book out.

[Katelyn Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the stories in here. They are still very fresh, vivid, lively, and teaching.
Hearing stories of hunting, at least where I am from, is seldom celebrated or relished. Reading this gave me a flash back to my historical past and a window into beautiful accounts of men and beast bonding to take down coveted prey.

Wonderful, 5/5 :)

[Matthew Mattingly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are even slightly interested in archery or hunting, this is a step back in time to the resurgence of the bow and arrow. Mix between education, field notes and stories from archery pioneers. Amazing what these guys had to go through just to hunt

[Exanimis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1914, 49 year old Ishi, the last of the Yani tribe walked out of the woods near Oroville, California. Ishi was the last of his people and he was the last “Wild Indian” in America. Anthropologists throughout America wanted to learn as much as they could from this wild man and he was soon living and working (as a janitor) at the University of California, Berkeley. Having no immunities to most disease that we are used to, he spent much time in a nearby hospital where Saxton Pope was a teacher. Anyone who has ever learned of the hardships of Ishi's life can't help but remember this fascinating historical figure.

This book however, is not about Ishi although his teachings and skill are an important part of what you will read. This book is about what the title says “Hunting with the bow and arrow”. Saxton Pope learned to use a bow from Ishi and carried the love of bow hunting for the rest of his life. This book covers everything from making your first bow to killing your first Grizzly in a pleasant and easy to read style that keeps you reading and wanting more. You can and will learn secrets that you would have never thought of , secrets that before Ishi, had been so completely forgotten that Dr. Pope had to reintroduce the techniques to other Native American Tribes.

I am not a hunter, I have never used a bow but I have a great love of the outdoors and I loved every moment of this book. I feel like I have learned enough to supply food for myself and my family if the need arises. Along with the wealth of information I gained by reading Hunting with the bow and arrow, I feel that I have also stood witness to a wonderful adventure and lived through the excitement of the hunt.

Even though, once again, there are no diagrams or photos with the Kindle edition, Hunting with the Bow and Arrow will never be removed from my Kindle.

[Paul A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Pope packs a lot of information into this book. It's divided into three books, discussing the life of Ishi, crafting archery tackle, and tips/anecdotes from the author's experience in hunting. Ishi's life and his story are of great historical value, so it was fascinating to read about his experiences here. The instructions on crafting bows and arrows is certainly interesting as well and it's convinced me to try my hand at making my own equipment. Finally, the author's exploits in the field are certainly incredible, trekking across the wilds of North America to hunt massive bears, boisterous deer, and cunning raccoons. This is an archery book that I hope to have on my shelf for a long time.

[Darren Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Pope draws his readers into the romance of a bow hunter's world. His recount of his bow hunting experience is hard to believe in modern times but it is so enthralling, that it is hard to put down.

My only complaint about this book is that it is a little disjointed, because he talks about his interaction with one of the last Native Americans of his nation, then talks about the technical requirements and instructions for constructing one's own archery equipment, and then about his hunting experiences with a bow.

Nonetheless, this was a very enjoyable read. Most writers would enjoy his writing style.

[E.W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this quite some time ago. Every now and then I'd pick it up and read another chapter. The first part of the book is the best, in which Pope discusses his relationship with Ishi and the knowledge Ishi passed on to him and others. A must read for any archer.

[Allen Brundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

A little old fashioned but full of good stories of a much simpler time. I would recommend to any person involved in archery or anyone who wants to get involved.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Efficiency, science and poetry in one volume!