 
If you are a bird hunter you are going to love a pair of recently published books from the Otto brothers. John Otto is a new but talented outdoors writer and his brother Jason has a gift for wildlife photography.
John Otto's new book, A SEASON OF WING-SHOOTING, covers bird hunting in Washington State from grouse to dove to pheasant to waterfowl and more. Along the way John talks about dogs, family, shooting, the camraderie of hunting, the beauty of the outdoors, the game found within it, and other aspects that make bird hunting such a special pursuit. If you walk the fields or work the marshes with a shotgun in hand, alot of what John Otto writes will hit home as true.
Here's an excerpt from the book, where John tackles the subject of pheasant hunting:
"Pheasant hunting was what I was raised up with, its how I cut my teeth. At eight years old my Dad would let me tag along with my BB gun, even letting me think I got a bird or two. I absolutely loved it. At a young age I shot my first rooster in Royal City, while hunting with Tar, our legendary Lab. Tar is more than a legend in our family. I would say she has been elevated to icon status. Every dog after has been compared to her, fairly or unfairly,
and as time goes by I can't see any pups getting a legitimate shot. The boxes of Field Trial ribbons and pictures of dead game posed in front of her are
forever etched in my mind."
Later in the chapter, John talks more about his father:
"I look back to his face. For the first time I begin to notice some of the effects of age. His hair was starting to gray. I am lucky, I was born when he was young and plan on spending many more days like this in the future. But at that moment I saw my Dad as more than just that, I saw him as my hero. The tenacity he showed in getting that last bird is something he instilled in his boys. Not just in hunting, but in the game of life. Everything I have ever accomplished I owe to the example of this man. I was lucky enough to really experience a moment of watching it all come together on this hunt. The hard work, the planning, the split second reactions, and the spoils of victory, this hunt was a metaphor for how he has lived his life. I was very proud to be his son. He didn't know it, but the hug I walked up to give him was not for a nice shot on that pheasant, but for the years of life lessons he has taught me, and how much I appreciate him."
John has also collaborated with his brother, Jason on another book. AN OTTO BROTHERS COLLECTION OF WATERFOWL REFERENCE features spectacular photos of ten different waterfowl species. I've got to admit, these are some of the most beautiful waterfowl photos I've seen. Hunters, bird-watchers, decoy carvers and taxidermists alike will appreciate the beautiful close up photography and field notes written about the waterfowl found in this book.
These books would be a great Christmas or birthday gift for the bird hunter or waterfowl fan. You can order your copy by logging onto the website below.
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