Maine, over the years, has produced a lot of deer hunters. Like so many undertakings – whether it be golf, sky diving, or hunting – there are deer hunters, and then there are deer hunters.

My observation is that there are three basic kind of deer hunters: 1) the casual hunter; 2) the meat hunter; and 3) the trophy hunter.

The majority of us who take to the woods, in November, fall into one of the first two categories. Skillful, dedicated, truly obsessed trophy deer hunters are in the minority.

In fact, if the truth be known, you could probably fit Maine’s population of bonafide big buck hunters in the cab of one full-size pickup truck (Well, maybe you’d have to put a couple in the truck bed). There ain’t many. Count ’em. There’s the Berniers, Hal Blood, Lee Schantz, and a few others whose names escape me. Oh, yes, there is also Ralph Norris from Leeds, the author of a wonderful new deer hunting book titled: “Hunting Top End Bucks.”

Ralph is the Real McCoy, a committed, seasoned and highly capable big buck hunter who has earned his spurs when it comes to big buck bragging rights. Who better to write a book titled, “Hunting Top End Bucks?”

As you know, there is a vast array of books on the market about hunting whitetail deer. As an outdoor writer/editor, as well as a diehard deer hunter (category two), I have burned many a midnight oil poring through deer hunting books. Some are mediocre, some are good, and a few are, well, top shelf. Charlie Alsheimer’s recently released book Strategies for Whitetails is top shelf. Now, there is another in the same year.

If ever there was a straight-shooting, no-nonsense book that really cuts to the chase, this is it. The information put into this book is new and corroborated through experience. None of the material is sketchy or unproven. The information is highly condensed for ease of use. The material is sure to give the average hunter a broader and better understanding and appreciation of the whitetail deer and its habits of life. This 180-page book is jammed with techniques that are sure to benefit anyone who puts them into practice.

A reasonably successful veteran deer hunter who never was willing to put in the dogged work required to kill trophy deer, I found Ralph’s unrestrained enthusiasm for big-racked trophy deer to be inspirational, if not downright contagious (maybe I’ll become a trophy hunter). Not only did Ralph teach me how much that I did not know about deer habits and behavior, he also makes a strong case against what many deer hunters would consider to be “conventional wisdom.” For example, Ralph asserts that scents are a big waste of time and money. And he argues with logic and facts. He teaches how to get to know a trophy buck without ever having seen him.

No deer book that I have ever read does as good a job of helping the hunter get inside the buck’s mind. Clearly, Ralph knows his whitetails well. The wonderful deer photos from Ralph’s collection are an added bonus.

Whether you are a wet-behind-the-ears deer hunter, or a grizzled old veteran of the deer woods, there is something of value for you in this book. Hunting Top End Bucks is a deer hunting book that adds up to a big learning experience. For purchase information about this book, check out the order form in any issue of the Northwoods Sporting Journal or contact Maine Outdoor Publications, telephone 207-862- 2160.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is [email protected].