Around 1953, I was serving time at a Jr. high school in San Diego. I had just seen the Howard Hill movie "Tembo," and was becoming obsessed with archery. One day, while perusing the library, I discovered a book titled "Hunting with the Bow & Arrow" by Saxton Pope. After reading this book, I became completely hooked on the sport.
I bought my own copy of Pope's book in 1954. I look at it now on my bed-table; what a great and comforting companion it has been to me over these many, many years. I wonder if other archers feel the same way about this treatise as I do?
Trend Books published Howard Hills Hunting the Hard Way in paperback, it was titled Howard Hill's Archery Adventures, printed in 1955. It started a passion, or fire in me, that still burns today. I still enjoy making arrows, quivers and bows, but will buy things made by others. I bought my first fiberglass bow a 1955 Bear Polar from Howard Valentine, Bear Rep., and around 1957 saw Howard Hill give a demonstration in Seattle.
When our grand daughter had her first child, a boy, she asked for folks to send books for bed time stories.. I sent Hunting the Hard Way. Her husband loved it!
I have that book as well. I haven’t read it in a long time. Just mite as it looks like another lockdown is coming. My “first” archery book that got me hooked was Hunting the Hard Way. I found it in our school library when I was a freshman.
I have had this book for quite some time. I've read it over and over and it never ceases to enthrall. I get lost in those pages. Frank
3 cheers for Saxton Pope! And 3 cheers for you too Fred! Them that love archery and are so moved by it that they take pen to paper are tops in my book. Your books aught to be right there on the self next to Saxton's, imo.
Yea! my favorite
Howard Hill’s book Wild Adventure got me hooked. I read that book over and over. I still have the same book.
Fred
Over the summer, I also picked "Hunting with the Bow and Arrow" from my Archery bookshelf and reread it again. Really enjoyed the book the third time around. The upside of getting "older" is forgetting what I've read the first time around.....😰.
I remembered your " Goose" story though....lol. Still laughed out loud.
Deno
Yup love his book and the one of ISHI and Howard Hills two books and especially the exploits of the Thompson Bros.