Some reading recommendations to get ready to head west.
By: Cody Fongemie
Hunting season is over and most of the lower 48. You may have a late season muzzleloader tag. Or a primitive weapons tag in your pocket, but for the rest of us the 2024 season is done. What should I do now? After 90+ days of chasing bucks, ducks, or grouse, having free time may feel strange. It’s a bit too cold out to start practicing marksmanship for next season. You can only put so much time into buying preference points, or applying for tags. Eventually scanning OnX in the evening for ridges or saddles you may have missed gets boring. When the boredom finds you, one of the best ways to spend the winter is with a good book. What follows are a few winter reading suggestions from the Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundation.
If you’re anything like me. When you book a trip somewhere or start planning one, you want to know a bit about where you’re going. Some folks do this by searching countless websites or scrolling on TikTok these days. I prefer the old-fashioned way of reading a few good books. As a long-time fan of American Western history, I’ve found that reading about the history and ecology of the American West is one of the best ways to learn about where you’re headed. During the off-season, reading stories of the West also helps me fill that itch for the adventure of a hunt and the wide open places of the West. There are thousands of books on the West. Ranging on topics from the American Bison to the era of the Mountian men. Knowing where to start can be challenging. So, here are my top three recommendations for the books you should read before heading west.
American Serengeti by Dan Flores
Mule deer, we often focus on the biology behind them, what they eat, and what their rut is like. However, we usually overlook their history as a species. Dan Flores’ book is a thrilling journey through the evolution and interaction of species like pronghorn, bison, and mule deer. The book offers a deep understanding of the Western ecosystem. It’s an adventure of discovery that will leave you even more prepared and knowledgeable about your upcoming hunt.
Fur, Fortune, and Empire: The Epic History of the Fur Trade in America by Eric Jay Dolin
The colonization of the North American continent. Often calls to mind images of persecuted folks chasing religious freedoms or opportunity. However, a fancy European gentleman in a top hat is a better image of the American origin story.
The fur trade was a crucial part of America’s foundation and its expansion Westward. In the 18th century, American furs were worldwide, from beaver pelts to deerskins. It was big business. One of America’s first millionaires came from the fur trade. It not only drove exploration and settlement but also shaped the landscape and ecology of the West.
In this book, Dolin takes you on an exhilarating adventure from the start of the fur trade to its collapse. Offering a unique perspective on our nation’s hunting heritage.
Undaunted Courage By Steven Ambrose
No expedition did more to further our westward expansion than Lewis and Clark’s expedition. There are volumes of books written on the two of them, including all their journals from this period. Still, no one tells the story like Stephen Ambrose, the best-selling historian of books like Band of Brothers.
Through every page turn and every description, you feel like you’re right there with Lewis and Clark as they travel from St Louis across the West, seeing many animals and sites that had yet to be seen by most Americans. Their observations and achievements included the first written description of a mule deer. As well as the mapping of hundreds of miles of rivers and lands across the West. I recently completed a trip West. I drove across the Missouri River covering the amount of territory they covered in a year in mere hours.
As I did this, it was hard not to imagine them traveling up the river and in dugout canoes. It’s an odd and eerie feeling but also immensely humbling as I zipped over the river in a truck. I could have never had that perspective or experienced those feelings that made the trip much better without Ambrose’s masterpiece. If you’re going to read one book on this list before you head West, I cannot recommend this one enough.
Just a Starting Point
Now, this is just a start. These three are just a few of my favorites. Each helped fuel my desire to head West and helped me understand the places and critters I saw better. As I touched on in my discussion on Undaunted Courage, having some knowledge and background can help provide you with a great perspective on the lands and the history around us. Pick up one of these books when you have some free time. If reading isn’t your thing, audiobooks are an excellent option for your drive to hunt camp this fall. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed that you did.
Good Luck
Good luck this winter and remember to send any success pictures or stories from the field to [email protected] and you could be featured on our website or in our magazine. If this article or any of our articles have helped you become a better hunter or conservation steward, consider becoming a member of the Mule Deer Foundation for only $35 dollars a year. Click here to join: https://muledeer.org/product-category/membership/
Cody Fongemie @Fongeinthefield
Born and raised in New England, Cody developed a deep appreciation for American history and adventure from a young age. His love for the outdoors led him to become both an avid outdoorsman and a dedicated writer on related topics. After studying in South Carolina, he enlisted in the Air Force, where he is currently serving. Outside of his military duties, Cody enjoys hunting, fly fishing, and engaging in various adventurous activities, often sharing his experiences through his writing. He also works to connect the military community with the outdoors through non-profit initiatives.
