Like that earlier grouse hunter Aldo Leopold, Mark Parman takes to the woods when the aspens are smoky gold. Here, in an evocative almanac that chronicles the early season of the grouse hunt through its end in the snows of January, Parman follows his dog through the changing trees and foliage, thrills to the sudden flush of beating wings, and holds a bird in hand, thankful for the meal it will provide. Distilling twenty seasons of grouse hunting into these essays, he writes of old dogs and gun lust, cover and clear cutting, climate change, companions male and female, wildlife art, and stumps. A Grouse Hunter's Almanac delves into the mind of a hunter, exploring the Northwoods with an eye for more than just game."Notable and quotable. Parman stakes out original territory and provides a vivid snapshot of the Northwoods."—John Motoviloff, author of Wisconsin 100 Recipes for Badger State Bounties"Extremely rich and detailed. Parman puts forth original and genuine experiences."—Richard Yatzeck, author of Hunting the Edges
Nice collection of essays. Nice mix of lengths, perfect for bathroom reading. This is the second book I've read by this author. He's a good storyteller, and you start to feel you know his dogs by the end of the book. Excellent addition to any outdoor literature collection.
This is a wonderful collection of short stories written by a midwestern farm lad who made his home in central Wisconsin. Grouse hunters will certainly enjoy this book, as I have several times over the years, but even non-hunters will find the book interesting and perhaps better understand the mystique of the sport and those who pursue it.