Deer Season 2026 Reading List - What's In Your Head?

 It occurred to me on a walk that I should start a reading list, well, at least an audiobook list. Over the last several deer seasons, I consistently have had an audiobook in my ear while hunting. Generally, I had a pair of simple Bluetooth earbuds but one year, my wife gifted me a set of Caldwell E-Max Shadow earbuds. These offer similar capabilities to my over-the-ear Howard Leight and Walkers with ambient amplification but integrate Bluetooth functionalities into an earbud type platform. I have had them for many years and they are my primary form of ear protection for farm work and hunting. I recommend picking up a pair or something similar.

While in the wetlands and deer stands of Georgia, I have listened to a variety of audiobooks. Most of the time, they are some genre of fiction. My previous deer seasons have had Jack Ryan/Jack Ryan Jr., the Witcher, Monster Hunters Inc, Expeditionary Force, Bobi-verse, James Bond and James Reece book series but this year, I have added a few others. My current audiobook count is around 140. Podcasts make for a good listen as well. Pints with Aquinas, Live Free and several hunting podcasts including Ron Spomer's work and Outdoor Life.

Tomorrow is opening day for rifle season and I'll be listening to the Lord of the Ring's books. I have the movies, including the extended editions, and would annually, have a weekend marathon watching the three extended editions back-to-back. One year, we turned it into a church group night with several folks from our group from Church of the Apostles. It's probably best to start with The Hobbit since it's been a while. 

The prompting for Tolkien's works being included was a realization that I had never read beyond the The Hobbit but then also that during a recent interview between Matt Fradd and Malcolm Guite, there is an exceptional allegory between the series and the events of the bible. I should also add The Chronicles of Narnia. I suspect that should be next season.

The only thing missing is a pipe full of Old Toby or Sir Walter Raleigh.