ISBN:0-9639869-1-0 (April 1999) 399 page. Northern Publishing. Dimensions: 6 in x 9 in x 1 in. 

While this book is not specifically about Alaska, I feel comfortable adding it to our list.  I first met Alaska guide, author and artist Tony Russ at a sheep hunting clinic I put together before retiring from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.  I had asked Tony to  cover sheep hunting tactics for the large group. I learned that Tony is an excellent public speaker, but even more importantly, I discovered that he knows what he is talking about.  Tony, it turned out, has extensive knowledge about sheep hunting, but it goes beyond that:  he is a keen observer, and a recorder of important details and techniques.  He has done an excellent job of writing about them in his book Sheep Hunting in Alaska and again in this volume released in April, 1999.  If you are a serious hunter, you will be impressed by this book, and I think you will find it enormously helpful. --  David Johnson, Retired Alaska Wildlife Biologist, Hunter, and Webmaster

(From the back cover): "Russ, a well-known Alaska big game guide, deals with the details, the fine points too often over-looked by casual hunters.  Read this book from cover to cover and I promise you will be on the road to the ranks of the top 10 percent of hunter who take 90 percent of the game." -- Ken Marsh, Former Outdoors Editor and Editor of Alaska Magazine.

THE MANUAL FOR SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS: WHY 10% OF THE HUNTERS TAKE 90% OF THE GAME is an invaluable reference for all North American big game hunters.  This book covers all the skills and techniques needed by successful hunters from the Southern deer woods to Alaska's Brooks Range.  With almost 200 meaningful photographs and 40 illustrations which support the volumes of information filling these pages, this book is full of relevant advice for beginning hunters as well as seasoned veterans.  Whitetail hunters will find invaluable information about how to improve their success wherever they hunt and moose hunters can learn necessary skills to get them through a wilderness experience.  Dozens of typical hunting books would be needed to compare to what this one edition has to offer the hunter who wants to improve his success on any species of North American big game animal.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements
Introduction

PART I - THE BASIS OF SUCCESS IS EDUCATION

Chapter 1.  Becoming an Educated Hunter: Hunter Education. Past successes and future prospects for hunting.
Chapter 2.  Wildlife Management:   Basic concepts of management.  Effective management.
Chapter 3.  Responsibilities & Ethics

PART II. -  THE HUNTER

Chapter 4.  Physical Conditioning: Conditioning Strategy. Cardiorespiratory Conditioning. Strength. Flexibility and Agility. Stamina. Pain, Injuries, & Therapy. You are What You Eat. The Real World.
Chapter 5.  Nutrition For the Hunter: Nutrient Types. A Balanced Diet. Eating Habits. An Eating Strategy for Hunters.
Chapter 6.  Water & The Hunter: A Hunter's Water Needs. Water Quality.

PART III. -  VITAL SKILLS

Chapter 7.  First Aid: Bleeding. Broken Bones & Sprains. Burns. Diarrhea. Frostbite. Heart Attack. Heat or Sun Stroke. Hypothermia. Insect Bites. Neck & Head Injuries. Poisoning. Shock. Snakebite. Stroke.
Chapter 8.  Survival. Preparation and Confidence. Staying Warm and Dry. Heat Transfer. Fire. Lost?
Chapter 9.  Camping: Site Selection. Setting up the Tent. Knots to Know.
Chapter 10. Photography: Subjects to Photograph. Composition. Hunting Cameras and Film.

SECTION IV.  - HUNTING GEAR & FOOD

Chapter 11.  Knives: Sharpening Tools. Knife-Sharpening Procedure. Axes, Hatchets & Mauls. Saws.
Chapter 12.  Clothing: Heat Retention. Camouflage. Other Clothing Considerations. Fabrics. Waterproof Fabrics. Layering. Clothing Selection.
Chapter 13. Footwear: Selection of Footwear. The Right Fit. Break-in-Process. Waterproofing. Field Care of Footwear. Socks. An Effective Sock Strategy. Foot Medicine.
Chapter 14. Camping & Other Gear: Tough Fabrics for Gear. Tents. Sleeping Bag, Pads and Cots. Stoves and Cooking Gear. Ma and Compass. Packs and Duffels. Miscellaneous Gear. Hunter's Checklist.
Chapter 15.  Food: Basic Considerations for Selecting Food. Suitable Hunting Foods.

SECTION V. -  FIREARMS & OPTICS

Chapter 16. Firearms: Rifles Shotguns. Handguns. Muzzleloaders. Cartridges. Sights. Extras. Practice, Practice, Practice...
Chapter 17. Firearm Safety: Ten Commandments for Firearm Safety.
Chapter 18. Firearm Care & Maintenance: The Enemies of Guns. Cleaning for Home Storage. Transportation. Field Use.
Chapter 19.  Ballistics For The Hunter: Ballistics Tables. Ballistics Concepts. Sighting-in.
Chapter 20. Range Estimation: Methods of Estimation. Factors Affecting Accuracy. Rangefinders.
Chapter 21. Optics: Basic Characteristics of all Good Optics. Binoculars. Rifle Scopes.

SECTION VI.  - ANIMALS & THEIR SENSES

Chapter 22.  Game Behavior: Behavior Patterns. Daily and Seasonal Movements. Weather and Climate Influences. Behavior During the Mating Season. Effects of Hunting Pressure.
Chapter 23.  Game Senses: Sight, Smell & Hearing Sensory Acuteness. Sight. Hearing. Smell.

SECTION VII.  - THE HUNT

Chapter 24.  Tracking Skills: Reading Tracks. Track Illustrations.
Chapter 25.  Scouting & Locating Game: "Paper" Scouting. Preseason Scouting. Common Signs. In-Season Scouting.
Chapter 26.   Planning the Hunt: Plan Early. Timing of the Hunt. Guides and Outfitters.
Chapter 27. Hunting Techniques: Choosing the Appropriate Technique. Hunting Methods Commonly Used. Spot & Stalk Hunting. Stan-Hunting. Still-Hunting. Driving. Calling. Baiting.
Chapter 28.  Bowhunting: Safety. Bowhunting Gear. Practice. Hunting Considerations.
Chapter 29. Field-Judging Game Animals: The Clubs Behind the Record Books. Principles of Judging. An In-Depth Analysis.
Chapter 30. Shooting At Game: How to Shoot at Game. Trajectories. Where to Shoot. When to Shoot.
Chapter 31. Recovering Game: The Hunter's Response after the Shot. When to Start Tracking Wounded Game. Tracking and Reading Sign of Wounded Game. Approaching Downed Game.
Chapter 32.  Care of Game Meat: Plan Ahead. Prepare to Clean. Cleaning the Animal. Meat Care in the Field. Transportation. Aging, Preserving & cooking.
Chapter 33. Trophy Care: Basics of Trophy Care. Trophy Desired. Transportation. Home Care.
Chapter 34.  Memories

Bibliography
Catalog of Goods and Services: Guiding Services. Art. Books