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Rick Bass books. #5831038 07/14/15 03:28 AM
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Creekrunner Offline OP
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Anyone read them? He wrote one years ago called "The Deer Pasture". At the time I thought he captured Hill Country hunting to a tee, very talented. Then I read some of his short stories, a lot set in Houston and they were hilarious and some were very moving. Then he got successful, moved to the Yak Valley in Montana. I tried reading some of his stuff probably over ten years ago, but he'd adopted a "you must hunt like I do (pointed stick, creeping through the woods), exactly with my same philosophy and approach or else you're not a hunter" attitude.

I recently saw a book he put out last year and picked it up to give him another try. "A Thousand Deer." I've been trudging through the DEEPLY philosophical, I have to say, ramblings and there it is again, somewhat softened with age perhaps, but nevertheless a slam of the typical Texas stand/feeder hunter. I don't think even the Comanches and Apaches from 200 years ago would overthink the hunt the way this guy seems to be. 'Can't seem to pick the darn thing back up.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: Creekrunner] #5831083 07/14/15 04:50 AM
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I actually liked "A Thousand Deer." I thought it was a worthwhile read about nature, hunting, and family. I agree that he does overthink some things, but overall I thought it was a good book about hunting and nature.

"The Deer Pasture" is on my list of books to read, but I can't seem to find it at used book stores.

Last edited by NDN98; 07/14/15 04:56 AM.
Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: NDN98] #5831107 07/14/15 07:17 AM
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Originally Posted By: NDN98
I actually liked "A Thousand Deer." I thought it was a worthwhile read about nature, hunting, and family. I agree that he does overthink some things, but overall I thought it was a good book about hunting and nature.

"The Deer Pasture" is on my list of books to read, but I can't seem to find it at used book stores.


Check on Amazon, the shipping will be $3.99, but the price will be cheap enough for a used copy.


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Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: dogcatcher] #5831116 07/14/15 09:38 AM
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I have both books. Personally, I think Bass is the most talented Texas writer going today, even though he has left Texas and lives elsewhere.

The Deer Pasture, better than any book I know, sums up our anticipation of opening morning, the multi-generational traditions of a family deer lease, and the coming-of-age growth of a "boy becomes a man" aspect of hunting. While in college at Ole Miss, Bass would leave Oxford after his Friday afternoon classes, drive all night long to his family's Gillespie County deer lease, and be awaiting first light opening morning at his deer stand. To most people, such a marathon drive sounds insane, but to a Texas deer hunter, such behavior is as natural as breathing. Rick Bass captures this spirit better than any one else has.


"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: Creekrunner] #5832291 07/15/15 12:58 AM
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Well, I guess I have some books to read.

Personally, my favorite outdoors/philosophy novel is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It's in my pack almost every time I head out into the woods.


I hump the wild to take it all in, there is no bag limit on happiness. -Ted Nugent
Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: Creekrunner] #5832456 07/15/15 02:55 AM
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I've enjoyed everything that I've read from Rick Bass. The Deer Pasture should be mandatory reading for those that hunt deer in Texas. If you haven't read anything of his that is what I'd start with. I bet it won't be the last book of his that you read because you're going to like it. He does get pretty philosophical at times, but he can be down right funny too.

Last edited by rattler03; 07/15/15 02:56 AM.
Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: Shawheel] #5832487 07/15/15 03:28 AM
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Originally Posted By: Shawheel
Personally, my favorite outdoors/philosophy novel is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.


I was thinking about that book just the other day. 'Didn't know you young whipper snappers even knew about it. laugh


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: Creekrunner] #5835807 07/17/15 02:04 PM
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I read "A Thousand Deer" during the season last year, very much enjoyed it. He does have strong views on exactly how hunting should be done, and I don't agree with all of them. But I do agree with his love of nature, family, and the incredible power of hunting. When it comes to the blessing of a nice animal we see things the same way.

I have "the deer pasture" on my list to read this season.

Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: Creekrunner] #5836756 07/18/15 02:15 AM
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Started reading A Thousand Deer on the plane out to Tucson and I'm really enjoying his style. He hasn't gotten too preachy for me yet, but maybe I just have a high tolerance. grin


I hump the wild to take it all in, there is no bag limit on happiness. -Ted Nugent
Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: Creekrunner] #5841035 07/21/15 02:43 PM
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Wow, I have never read anything by Rick Bass. I just ordered "The Deer Pasture" from Amazon. Good post, CR.

Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: Creekrunner] #5842647 07/22/15 02:14 PM
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Ok, I tried to read some more out of A Thousand Deer. Hemingway was the master of saying the most with the fewest words possible. I'm sorry, but Mr. Bass appears to be trying to use as many words as possible. I'm passed the age of thinking if I force myself to finish some rambling, quasi-philosophy book that I'll be more intelligent. I'm just about done with this one.

Although over quoted and criticized as "trite", if you want to read about philosophy of hunting, there's still nothing better than Jose Ortega y Gasset's Meditations on Hunting. (English translation. If I want to torture myself intellectually again someday, I'll try to read it in the original Spanish.)


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Rick Bass books. [Re: Creekrunner] #5842714 07/22/15 02:36 PM
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Thanks for the post, have to read The deer Pasture.

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