Author Jim Heffelfinger presents a wide array of data in a reader-friendly, well-organized way. With a clear mission to make his information not only helpful, but entertaining and attractive as well, each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of understanding deer. The clear, detailed table of contents will help readers flip right to the section they want to investigate. Not just hunters, but anyone who is interested in the deer of West Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, northern Mexico, or tribal lands will find this book to be an indispensable resource for understanding these familiar and fascinating animals. “Very few books on the subject of deer in any particular region lend themselves to being complete. Jim Heffelfinger’s book breaks the mold. It is by far the most comprehensive book on mule deer and white-tailed deer in the southwestern part of the United States, including Plains portions of Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico, I’ve ever read. Everything you ever wanted to know about these two deer species can be found in its pages . . . All of this under one cover and written in a style easy enough for the layperson to understand, but scientific enough for the professional biologist . . . Deer of the Southwest is a pleasure to read and should be part of every deer enthusiast’s library.”—Great Plains Research “An important reference for anyone interested in deer in the Southwest—managers and enthusiasts alike. Both enlightening and instructive, Deer of the Southwest is the ultimate source for understanding the history, management, and issues facing this resource. Jim Heffelfinger has solidified his reputation as the premier authority on deer in this region.”—Barry Hale, deer program manager, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

Winner of the American Folklore Society’s Chicago Folklore Prize Yaqui regard song as a kind of lingua franca of the intelligent universe. It is through song that experience with other living things is made intelligible and accessible to the human community. Deer songs often take the form of dialogues in which the deer and others in the wilderness world speak with one another or with the deer singers themselves. It is in this way, according to one deer singer, that “the wilderness world listens to itself even today.” In this book authentic ceremonial songs, transcribed in both Yaqui and English, are the center of a fascinating discussion of the Deer Song tradition in Yaqui culture. Yaqui Deer Songs/Maso Bwikam thus enables non-Yaquis to hear these dialogues with the wilderness world for the first time.

Stalk big bucks below the Mason-Dixon line with Larry Weishuhn and Bill Bynum. Get years of proven whitetail hunting techniques from these top experts. Helpful tips on terrain, equipment and little-known secrets guarantee successful hunting in southern climes.

In 'Mammals of the Southwest Mountains and Mesas' by George Olin, readers are taken on a detailed exploration of the diverse mammalian species that inhabit the unique ecosystems of the southwest mountains and mesas. Olin's descriptive and informative style provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of each species' behavior, habitat, and role within the ecosystem. The book is a valuable resource for both academics and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a blend of scientific research and engaging narrative. With stunning illustrations and vivid descriptions, Olin brings these animals to life on the page, making for an immersive reading experience. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in the natural world of the Southwest. George Olin's passion for wildlife and expertise in the field shine through in 'Mammals of the Southwest Mountains and Mesas'. His deep connection to the region and its wildlife is evident in the meticulous research and attention to detail present throughout the book. Olin's work is a testament to his dedication to preserving and sharing the beauty of the natural world. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of southwestern wildlife and gain a greater appreciation for the wonders of nature.

Developed in co-operation with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

Knowledge held about animals by Pima-speaking Native Americans of Arizona and northwest Mexico is intimately entwined with their way of lifeÑa way that is fading from memory as beavers and wolves vanish also from the Southwest. Ethnobiologist Amadeo Rea has conducted extensive fieldwork among the Northern Pimans and here shares what these people know about mammals and how mammals affect their lives. Rea describes the relationship of the River Pima, Tohono O'odham (Papago), Pima Bajo, and Mountain Pima to the furred creatures of their environment: how they are named and classified, hunted, prepared for consumption, and incorporated into myth. He also identifies associations between mammals and Piman notions of illness by establishing correlations between the geographical distribution of mammals and ideas regarding which animals do or do not cause staying sickness. This information reveals how historical and ecological factors can directly influence the belief systems of a people. At the heart of the book are detailed species accounts that relate Piman knowledge of the bats, rabbits, rodents, carnivores, and hoofed mammals in their world, encompassing creatures ranging from deer mouse to mule deer, cottontail to cougar. Rea has been careful to emphasize folk knowledge in these accounts by letting the Pimans tell their own stories about mammals, as related in transcribed conversations. This wide-reaching study encompasses an area from the Rio Yaqui to the Gila River and the Gulf of California to the Sierra Madre Occidental and incorporates knowledge that goes back three centuries. Folk Mammalogy of the Northern Pimans preserves that knowledge for scholars and Pimans alike and invites all interested readers to see natural history through another people's eyes.