A fascinating new book featuring 400 vintage photos of whitetail hunters from yesteryear.
Whitetail hunting is truly a unique American tradition plied first by early settlers, immigrants, pioneers and later American patriots who often died for their nation when necessary. As an expanding young country moved westward and grew in population and stature, white-tailed deer played a vital role in the building of the greatest nation on earth.
As one who has long been enthralled by old photographs, classic deer rifles and the stories told by the rugged hunters who used those rifles, I’ve been collecting vintage black-and-white deer hunting photos for as long as I can remember. Each photo in the Dawn of American Deer Hunting, Volume II tells a story about real people not unlike you or me who experienced the thrills, challenges and successes of matching wits with America’s greatest big game challenge.
The following selection of photos and captions from Volume II helps tell part of our country’s amazing story.
The hood of the old Buick says it all: a smiling Reginald Sanders and his hunting partner Harold Kimball struck paydirt in Orange County, Vermont in 1951.
A meat pole filled with deer, one small bear and a furry critter that could be a bobcat taken by an array of fine weapons offers proof this proud group has shared a special week in their cozy camp near Gemsfask, Michigan. Photo circa 1910.
Maybe he is showing off his hunting prowess a bit, but don’t you think this Wyoming dandy has the goods to prove his mettle?
Photo circa late 1890s.
Mrs. H. L. Ripley of Cadiz, Ohio crossed paths with this beautiful 10-pointer a mere 12 minutes into the 1953 Ohio season.
Nothing like a sagging meat pole after a few memorable days in deer camp. Judging by the proud faces and an enviable assortment of classic rifles that have proven their worth, both of these camps have enjoyed amazingly good luck.
The hunt is over, the dogs have done their work and the meat pole boasts at least two fine bucks, several does and one exceptional bear. Nothing compares to the camaraderie of deer camp. Photo circa late 1950s.
A pair of Savage 99s, a couple of Remington Model 25 pumpguns and a lever-action rifle accounted for at least two fine bucks. These youthful hunters may be from the city, but they certainly appear to know what they’re doing. Photo circa 1924.
DAWN OF AMERICAN DEER HUNTING, VOLUME II
The photographs on these pages are among some 400 vintage photos in this fascinating 240-page book by Duncan Dobie. Each photo tells a story—what the hunter was doing, the location, the type of gun or some other interesting fact about the hunters of yesteryear.
The book also features interesting profiles and photos of some of such history-making hunters as Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, Annie Oakley and Fred Bear. There’s even a stunning selection of full-color paintings by some of the country’s top wildlife artists.
Dawn of American Deer Hunting, Volume II, is available in a signed hardbound Collector’s Edition for $40 and a Deluxe leather-bound, signed-and-numbered edition of 400 books for $70. Order by calling (800) 849-1004 or visiting www.sportingclassicsstore.com.