NEW Book From Gary Brewer Available Soon

[Breeze]

Hi All!

Just a quick note to give a heads up! Visited with Gary Brewer earlier today. His new book on falconry should be out to the public in about four months! Focuses primarily on the Red-tailed Hawk (of course!), but is not prey specific. Covers far more topics and material than Buteos and Bushytails. The new book is currently in layout/production stage. Estimated to be about 600 pages, when completed. I, for one, cannot wait to get a copy in my hands! Woooohoooooo!!

Happy Hawking Everyone!

[falconrydope]

I have copy of Buteos and Bushytails for sale if anyone is interested. $300.00 never read, paged through once. This isn't the right habitat for that here. I also paid shipping, free shipping, figured it will do someone more good. if interested, I will get out book and give more info maybe VG and signed?

[ehh]

I will certainly get a copy too. About time for a new book on redtails. Do you know how it will be sold?

[jdrmd]

It's going to be a hardback book. I talked to him about doing an e-book but don't think he wants to go that route. There are going to be some good photos in the book and I don't think he wants to diminish them in any way. Gary is a traditionalist when it comes to books.

[dboyrollz76]

I wonder how much of this book is fresh and new with ground breaking insights into falconry and how much of it is just reworded information that’s been around for 6k years.

[jdrmd]

It's hard to really come up with anything ground breaking in falconry. As you say falconry has been around for 6k years. Many intelligent resourceful people have spent years and years giving us much of what we know today. Gary is a smart guy and a great storyteller. The book will give his thoughts on Red-tails which I am sure will give the reader something to think about and learn from. One more thing, I am sure there will be a lot for you to disagree with too.
Cheers,

[Breeze]

I will certainly get a copy too. About time for a new book on redtails. Do you know how it will be sold?

John pretty much answered that question for you! Thanks, John! I've been away from the computer for awhile!

[Breeze]

It's hard to really come up with anything ground breaking in falconry. As you say falconry has been around for 6k years. Many intelligent resourceful people have spent years and years giving us much of what we know today. Gary is a smart guy and a great storyteller. The book will give his thoughts on Red-tails which I am sure will give the reader something to think about and learn from. One more thing, I am sure there will be a lot for you to disagree with too.
Cheers,

SO true, John! I, for one, wouldn't miss out on a copy of this book. peacee

[dboyrollz76]

It's hard to really come up with anything ground breaking in falconry. As you say falconry has been around for 6k years. Many intelligent resourceful people have spent years and years giving us much of what we know today. Gary is a smart guy and a great storyteller. The book will give his thoughts on Red-tails which I am sure will give the reader something to think about and learn from. One more thing, I am sure there will be a lot for you to disagree with too.
Cheers, I guess, I did just read The Goshawk by T.H. White it was entertaining.

[ehh]

It's hard to really come up with anything ground breaking in falconry. As you say falconry has been around for 6k years. Many intelligent resourceful people have spent years and years giving us much of what we know today. Gary is a smart guy and a great storyteller. The book will give his thoughts on Red-tails which I am sure will give the reader something to think about and learn from. One more thing, I am sure there will be a lot for you to disagree with too.
Cheers,

There's been a lot of new things written about accipiters and Falcons in recent years. Red tails not so much. I think there's a feeling that because they're hard to lose and hard to kill there's not much to flying them. But I think flying them to their potential is just as difficult as flying anything else to its potential. So I'm interested to see what Garry Brewer has to say in 600 pages. Some of the things he's written in the past I didn't agree with but I'm sure he'll have a lot of interesting things in his new book.

[falconrydope]

If someone can't respect you for flying a red tail, they have an ego problem!

[Captain Gizmo]

I was away from the falconry scene for 20 years (daytime job and similar annoyances).
The last NAFA Meet I attended was in 1985. There were one or two Red Tails. The Peregrine/Prairie crosses had their own row at the weathering yard.
Next meet in 2005. The Prairie crosses were gone. Peregrines, Gyr/Peregrines, and Gyrs filled the long wing section.
The Red Tails had their own block let alone a row. I suspect a lot of the folks who had to fly a Red Tail when they were apprentices graduated to a "real falcon", got tired of driving 2 hours each way to get a slip, looked at each other and said "You remember how much fun we used to have frightening rabbits on Farmer Fred's south forty five miles out of town" and went back to the old days.

Reminiscences,
Thomas of the Long View

[rkumetz]

I was away from the falconry scene for 20 years (daytime job and similar annoyances).
The last NAFA Meet I attended was in 1985. There were one or two Red Tails. The Peregrine/Prairie crosses had their own row at the weathering yard.
Next meet in 2005. The Prairie crosses were gone. Peregrines, Gyr/Peregrines, and Gyrs filled the long wing section.
The Red Tails had their own block let alone a row. I suspect a lot of the folks who had to fly a Red Tail when they were apprentices graduated to a "real falcon", got tired of driving 2 hours each way to get a slip, looked at each other and said "You remember how much fun we used to have frightening rabbits on Farmer Fred's south forty five miles out of town" and went back to the old days.

Reminiscences,
Thomas of the Long View

Sometimes we all need to remember that having fun is important.

[joekoz]

Brewer was a guest speaker at the New Jersey Falconry Club meet several years ago where he explained a "stress free" (for both bird and falconer) approach to training a Red Tail. The approach centers around placing the newly trapped bird in a mews that incorporated design modifications that take into account his understanding of a Red Tails behavior. the next year a good friend of mine built a new mews based upon the design, trapped a Red Tail and followed Gary's training approach which does not involve the traditional manning process. He has since trained a second Red Tail utilizing the same formula. He's sold on Gary's formula. AMAZING results both times. Gary used his extensive Red Tail knowledge and experience and came up with a new and improved innovative way to train a Red Tail.

[wyodjm]

I was away from the falconry scene for 20 years (daytime job and similar annoyances).
The last NAFA Meet I attended was in 1985. There were one or two Red Tails. The Peregrine/Prairie crosses had their own row at the weathering yard.
Next meet in 2005. The Prairie crosses were gone. Peregrines, Gyr/Peregrines, and Gyrs filled the long wing section.
The Red Tails had their own block let alone a row. I suspect a lot of the folks who had to fly a Red Tail when they were apprentices graduated to a "real falcon", got tired of driving 2 hours each way to get a slip, looked at each other and said "You remember how much fun we used to have frightening rabbits on Farmer Fred's south forty five miles out of town" and went back to the old days.

Reminiscences,
Thomas of the Long View
One of the fundamentals of falconry here in the U.S. has always been to fly the bird that suits the type of quarry you have available on a regular basis! You have to have the slips! Redtails are great birds. They have earned themselves a solid and secure place in falconry today!

[Breeze]

If someone can't respect you for flying a red tail, they have an ego problem!

I believe this, Ron. :) When I first got interested in falconry and learned I was able to have a RTH as my FIRST bird, I was blown away! My DREAM bird was a Red-Tail! Hoped one day to be able to fly one. They are amazing creatures for sure! AND they suit the prey I have available to pursue - lots of squirrels mixed in with some rabbits. Yup. Red-tail is suitable. :) TOO MUCH FUN!

[Breeze]

Brewer was a guest speaker at the New Jersey Falconry Club meet several years ago where he explained a "stress free" (for both bird and falconer) approach to training a Red Tail. The approach centers around placing the newly trapped bird in a mews that incorporated design modifications that take into account his understanding of a Red Tails behavior. the next year a good friend of mine built a new mews based upon the design, trapped a Red Tail and followed Gary's training approach which does not involve the traditional manning process. He has since trained a second Red Tail utilizing the same formula. He's sold on Gary's formula. AMAZING results both times. Gary used his extensive Red Tail knowledge and experience and came up with a new and improved innovative way to train a Red Tail.

My understanding is this new process is covered thoroughly in the new book. :)

[falconrydope]

One thing I find interesting about Red Tails is the plumage variations across the country. I fly a longwing because we have endless skies, we had a lot of ponds, but like you said, I don't like looking any more, it takes he fun out of it f me, now if I had a few hawking buddies down here it might be different.

[Ian_Gregg]

Very excited for Gary's new book!

[jdrmd]

Very excited for Gary's new book!

I have read a couple of chapters...I feel sure you will like it. Gary is a great writer, IMHO.

[David]

Is there a way to preorder this book? Thanks

[jdrmd]

I don't think so but i will ask.

[Kaz5071]

I too will be excited to get my hands on another Brewer book! Any update on when it will be available?

[David]

Thanks

[jdrmd]

Spoke with Gary today. He is hoping to release the book in the late spring or early summer. It will be between 600 and 800 pages long and will have many beautiful color pictures. The book layout is being done by Dan Milner. He does the layout work on NAFA's Hawk Chalk and did the same for Steve Chindgren's newest book "The Art of Hawking Sage Grouse". Dan does beautiful work. As far as a pre-order, Gary is thinking about using Kickstarter to help with printing costs. It's going to be a beautiful book and I will try to keep everyone up to date as details become available.

[rkumetz]

Spoke with Gary today. He is hoping to release the book in the late spring or early summer. It will be between 600 and 800 pages long and will have many beautiful color pictures. The book layout is being done by Dan Milner. He does the layout work on NAFA's Hawk Chalk and did the same for Steve Chindgren's newest book "The Art of Hawking Sage Grouse". Dan does beautiful work. As far as a pre-order, Gary is thinking about using Kickstarter to help with printing costs. It's going to be a beautiful book and I will try to keep everyone up to date as details become available.

I cannot for the life of me understand why authors of falconry books do not use an on demand printing service (like Amazon for example) to avoid having a trailer load of books stored under a bed for years. In addition to the economics of getting the book going, the book will not be out of print as soon as the under bed space is empty causing the book to be worth $500 and only
available to collectors.

[Breeze]

I'm certainly looking forward to the release and having a copy to read! Thanks, for the update, John! peacee

[Kaz5071]

I hope he offers signed copies like he did with Buteos & Bushytails.

[jdrmd]

I hope he offers signed copies like he did with Buteos & Bushytails.

I'm sure he will.

[falconrydope]

PhoboEvas, yes I still have book. Don't know any other way to contact you.

[PhobosEvas]

Hey Ron, Ive tried a couple times thru PM to get you to message me via my email but all I get back from you is a quote of my message. Im still interested in your copy if you coukd contact me via my email address I sent you.

[falconrydope]

I'll try that . Here is my phone number 575-623-4277. I also have been having trouble reaching you.

[falconrydope]

Yes , I'm having the same problem with email, call and leave message, I will pick up, if it's if it sounds legit, if home. Thanks

[skooky20]

Any update on Gary’s book?

[jdrmd]

Any update on Gary’s book?

Spoke with Gary a couple of hours ago, he is having some health challenges but this might help him complete the book. He is determined to get this project done and if you know Gary he will...

[awleaphart]

Any Updates?
A Leaphart

[Kaz5071]

Any news on the book release? I am hoping to read it before next trapping season.

Have a great day,

W

[Breeze]

I'll likely be talking on the phone with Gary tonight. Will try to remember and ask him.

[Breeze]

Did have a conversation with Gary and he assured me the book will be out before Christmas of this year. Likely by Thanksgiving, but for sure by Christmas. I'll be in line to get a copy!

[jdrmd]

The book is done and ready to go to the publisher...700 pages. Apprently, there is a paper shortage that could delay publication. Gary is working hard to get this book out.

[Breeze]

AWESOME news, John! Well, not about the paper shortage, but about the fact that the material is now ready for publication. I know Gary has worked really hard on this project; can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

[rkumetz]

The book is done and ready to go to the publisher...700 pages. Apprently, there is a paper shortage that could delay publication. Gary is working hard to get this book out.

I wish falconry book authors would stop using yearbook publishers and stockpiling piles of books under the bed in their spare bedroom or in their garage. On demand publishing is easier AND
there is no reason for books to go out of print and cost the next generation of falconers $500 because book collectors bought them all up.

[Breeze]

I wish falconry book authors would stop using yearbook publishers and stockpiling piles of books under the bed in their spare bedroom or in their garage. On demand publishing is easier AND
there is no reason for books to go out of print and cost the next generation of falconers $500 because book collectors bought them all up.
YIKES!!

[rkumetz]

YIKES!!

Yikes $500 or yikes on demand publishing? confusedd

[Breeze]

Yikes on demand publishing! An author takes a LONG time and puts in a LOT of effort to put together a book. How they choose to publish is entirely their business. As a potential user of the book, it is our choice to pay whatever the asking price - or not. It's really that simple, IMHO. I'll be buying one the moment they become available!

[rkumetz]

Yikes on demand publishing! An author takes a LONG time and puts in a LOT of effort to put together a book. How they choose to publish is entirely their business. As a potential user of the book, it is our choice to pay whatever the asking price - or not. It's really that simple, IMHO. I'll be buying one the moment they become available!

I do not in any way object to the asking price of most falconry books that are "in print". Generally they tend to be around $50 and most under $100. That is absolutely fair for a limited interest publication that requires a lot of effort to put together.

The cost to the author and the effort of fulfilling orders is where on-demand publishing shines. The author does not have to invest a single red cent into the
publishing and printing effort. The book is printed only when someone orders so the "publisher" is willing to keep titles in print virtually forever because they
have no real investment other than some storage space on a bunch of humongous disk drives somewhere.

If an author self publishes they end up buying 100's of books up front which is a cash outlay and requires storage space in a relatively climate controlled location.
Then they either sell them direct taking Paypal payments and going to the post office or they sell for wholesale prices to falconry equipment distributors who take a cut.

Contrast that with loading a PDF file to an on demand publisher and waiting for the royalty checks to show up.

I have a friend who publishes books for archery coaches. Clearly a small audience like falconry. He uses Amazon for his books making them widely available. He sets the price which sets his profit margin as well. His books will be available long after he himself is making the grass greener.

Some books that people like Harry McElroy sold for way under $50 are now going for $500 because it is not worth reprinting them. A lot of the
information is as useful as when it was first published but a new falconer can only get their hands on it if they have a friend who is willing to lend out
a now collectible and expensive book or if they have a big budget for falconry literature.

My real point is that if you are going to go through the tremendous effort of putting together a book why not make it available forever so your
relatives get the royalty checks even after you are gone?

[jdrmd]

Ron,
Are these high-quality publications or cheap paperbacks? I think Gary wants a book that people could put on their coffee tables. It is full of high resolution pictures.

[rkumetz]

Ron,
Are these high-quality publications or cheap paperbacks? I think Gary wants a book that people could put on their coffee tables. It is full of high resolution pictures.

Depending on who the publisher is they can be hardbacks and the quality is decent.

Having said that if he is shooting for an Emma Ford book (she likes to stroke her own ego as evidenced by the many pics of herself in her books) that is one thing but a high quality book for informational purposes does not need to cost a fortune. There is something in between a work of art and a duct tape job. I don't see Gary as an egocentric sort of fellow but I do respect his desire to not put his name on a sub standard product.

Another route would be to go through a falconry specialty book publisher such as Western Sporting or Hancock House. That would minimize the author's investment though it would not necessarily preserve the book once the demand gets too low to reprint another batch.

Certainly another route to go would be to do both - a limited edition coffee table book and a paperback for those of us who mostly read for the material itself.
I have a pile of those very expensive collector books that I bought up after someone spilled something on it or ripped off the cover minimizing its collector value.

Gary is one of the guys who write books that an apprentice should read so it would be cool if they outlive him so future apprentices can benefit. Not that
I am suggesting he is hanging on by a thread mind you but I assume you see my point.

[jdrmd]

Ron,
I appreciate your last couple of sentences. Gary indeed wants this book to be affordable but high quality. The photos are shots of birds and prey, almost exclusively. He wants this to be a book that you read and reference, but he also wants it to be a book that you can pull out, sit back and enjoy the beauty and utility of Red Tails even after you have read the words. This is a culmination of his falconry experience with Red Tails, and he LOVES Red Tails. I'm trying to get him to do a collector's version of the book, and he might, but the main goal is to get a high quality and affordable book out to beginner and advanced falconers.

[rkumetz]

These days everything costs a lot.
My metal fab guy told me that when he gets quotes on material they are good for 24 hours like buying fish.

I would not want to plunk down the cash to buy 250 copies of a decent size hardcover book.

I think a collector edition and an on demand paperback might be a good compromise. The Coulson book at $80 is a good example of a great book that is pushing the envelope of affordable for a 16 yr old apprentice.
It is a great book and that is a reasonable 2022 price for what you get but I can afford it.
People like you and i will buy the hardcover because we are invested in falconry. Or should I say addicted? 😁

[jdrmd]

LOL Could agree more with you Ron. It's a tough decision.....





These days everything costs a lot.
My metal fab guy told me that when he gets quotes on material they are good for 24 hours like buying fish.

I would not want to plunk down the cash to buy 250 copies of a decent size hardcover book.

I think a collector edition and an on demand paperback might be a good compromise. The Coulson book at $80 is a good example of a great book that is pushing the envelope of affordable for a 16 yr old apprentice.
It is a great book and that is a reasonable 2022 price for what you get but I can afford it.
People like you and i will buy the hardcover because we are invested in falconry. Or should I say addicted? 

[Fishinglink]

I’m not a 16 yr old apprentice but nonetheless I have not found an affordable copy of buteos and bushytails. I am rather excited he’s publishing a new book and will definitely be one of the first to snag a copy. I’ll just sit and relax until this book is for sale rather than search relentlessly for a good deal on his past book. I am more than happy to pay for the amount of information that he is providing given how highly regarded his past book was. Thanks for all the updates.

[awleaphart]

Man!
Trapping season around the corner, I am hoping to get a good read to get pumped before hunting season starts.
A Leaphart

[Breeze]

I’m not a 16 yr old apprentice but nonetheless I have not found an affordable copy of buteos and bushytails. I am rather excited he’s publishing a new book and will definitely be one of the first to snag a copy. I’ll just sit and relax until this book is for sale rather than search relentlessly for a good deal on his past book. I am more than happy to pay for the amount of information that he is providing given how highly regarded his past book was. Thanks for all the updates.

If you haven't done so, check with your local library. Interlibrary loan can often obtain books which you can check out. Won't give you a copy to keep, but might be able to at least get the book and read it. This goes for ALL books. Give the librarian the book title and author - they can check for availability and request the book be shipped to their library, on a temporary loan. They are very happy to do this and last I knew, there's no fee for the service. Just a thought.

[jdrmd]

The new book is about to go to the printer. It's between 500 and 600 pages.

[Fishinglink]

Thanks for the suggestion Deb. I know a local falconer that has the book and he’d probably loan it to me if I asked. I’m going to read this new book and see how much it covers from the old one.

[Breeze]

You're welcome, Cody! As an apprentice I was burning up the library loan system for a few months. LOL!

[awleaphart]

Any book updates?
Anthony L

[skooky20]

Any new updates to Gary’s book, it’s almost Christmas lol

[jdrmd]

He is close....that is all I can say. I keep pressing him. He has had some health challenges...Stay tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Roman Arizona]

Any further idea when this is going to print I love the idea of a new book from him on red tails. Abs how about a possible reprint of buteos and bushytails

[winningsoul]

Any update on the release of the new book by any chance?

[jdrmd]

Spoke to him last week, he is putting the finishing touches on it. Said it will be done ready for sale this year.

[winningsoul]

Thanks for the update

[aaront]

Any further updates at this time?
aaron

[jdrmd]

He'll be on an upcoming episode of Falconry Told....I feel sure he will give an update....

[Jhappe]

May be a long shot but figured this would be a decent place to post but does anyone know where I might could get a copy of Buteos and Bushytails?

[Jrothwell]

I tried finding the episode on falconry told, is it premium content? Thank you!

Jordan

[Diana-Morrissey]

Here is the link. The podcast has split from the original website/series. https://www.falconrychronicles.com/

[Jrothwell]

Thank you for responding so quickly!

Jordan