Book Review – “A Season of Wing-Shooting” book by John Otto
By Tim Bouchard

I am generally not a book reviewer; to be honest the last book review I may have written was in the fifth grade.  So please do not expect perfect format from this review, what you can expect is what I personally thought about John’s book.  At this point you may wonder why I am even writing about John Otto’s book “A Season of Wing-Shooting”.  To put it simply, I was inspired.

For those that have not heard about John’s book the basic overall purpose is to tell the story of a season of wing-shooting in Washington State. He explores his home state and shares the variety of hunting the state has to offer, as one may guess from the title.  John shares hunting experiences from puddle ducks, divers, sea ducks, upland and even the mighty band-tailed pigeon.  His adventures geographically range from just miles from home near the coast to the eastern side of the state in the dry desert region.  Along with the exposure one gains to the wing shooting variety in Washington John also shares his personal experiences with his hunting partners.  John’s relationship with his brother and other partners is one that many hunters can relate with personally.  Along with his relationship with his family and how they tolerate people like us, for no better word - addicts.

One of my personal favorite stories was John’s hunt with his daughter, Haley, and his long time four legged partner, Comet.  As most men will admit we do not show emotion very much, call it macho, but if this story did not touch you in someway then you must be dead or have never had a dog or daughter.  To have your daughter want to share in your thirteen year old dog’s last hunt has to be something special.  I personally do not have children at this time, but can only hope to have the same experience with my off spring someday.  I am sure John felt like he was one of the luckiest men alive right then and it came through clearly in his writing.  This is what you can expect from the rest of the book, good stories with a clear emotional tie to the subject.

If you are not into the mushy stuff and you just want a good story you also came to the right book.  John includes the simple and fun “best days ever” stories.  An example is finishing a limit of “Marina Mallards” within an hour and not even worrying about a blind.  He also just includes stories where everything is not perfect, from missing the boat plug to just bad shooting.  He is honest in his stories making them a great read and helps the reader relate to the experience.  I found myself saying, “I have done that”, way too often.   
Like many addicts of our sport, I try to read and collect just about everything written about the sport.  What it comes down to, is I have read some very good work and some I am not sure why they are still in my collection.  John’s book ranks near the top of that list.  Well written and keyed toward the average person he has a little of everything in there.   He does spend a good amount of time reflecting on the hunt and the people in his life, something the younger audience does not always appreciate, but something many of us think is the most important part of the hunt. 

To me there are stages of hunting, the first stage is you just want to shoot a lot!  Then you want to learn more and shooting it not as important but you still need it.  Then going out means more to you, just setting decoys makes the day worth while.   One of my favorite aspects of the book is you see this progression during the season and through John’s writing.  The excitement we all feel for opening day to the satisfaction and peace of the closing day only to yearn for opening day again.

I hope this gives people a good overview of John’s book and I hope I encouraged some of you to go out and get a copy and have a great read.  I feel inspired just to have been let into the life of this great duck hunting family.   Good job Otto’s and good luck in the coming season!

You can find John Otto’s book “A Season of Wing-Shooting” at http://www.pochards.com