Alaska's Wolfman Frank Glaser

[Drawdown]

I just got this book few days ago, have read 3/4 of it! This is the most interesting & enjoyable book ive ever read! Not a dull page in it, like a good movie, that keeps you on edge your seat! If you're interested in the old days of the Northwest, and no subject ever interested me anymore than this, im sure you'll live this book! Glaser, got to know wildlife of all kinds, by actually living amongst them, hunting, trapping, and just staying in them on a daily basis! The book actually just gets better and better as it covers from his start there, and all thru his life there! And, as he just abruptly points out a few times, "I love rifles!" He stated he usually got several new ones every year to try! He loved his 30-06 RF Sedgeley Springfield, but he also lived the 220 Swift if just after Wolves! And he killed many Wolves, being a "Government Predator Control Agent" for a lotta years. He points out he made very good money per wolf taken, a bounty on each plus selling their hides! And he killed many Grizzly, Moose, n Caribou! It's just a great read!

[High Desert Hunter]

I read it the first time some 23 years ago, and have read it a time or two since. A very interesting book.

Dave

[BenT]

Thanks for sharing, definitely going to read this.

[JRD]

I read it a couple times many years ago. I remember being fascinated by it. If you are on this forum already, it's the kind of book you'd enjoy.

[piller]

The 220 Swift and the .270 were popular for coyotes out in Southwestern Kansas. Just scaling up the animal, I can see where they would be good for wolves. Seems to me that the 220 Swift was accurate. Folks used to use it for pasture poodles at 300 yards or more. Usually 1 shot per elimination of 1 hazard to the cows.

[KWK]

One can read an overview of Glaser's life as written by the author of that book on Outdoor Life.

[LeverGunner]

Thanks for the review. I've not had a chance to read that book, but it's been on my radar for a while. I too enjoy the subject.

I enjoyed Dick Proenneke's book One Man's Wilderness, and Fred Hatfield's North of the Sun.

[samsi]

Thanks for the review, and the book suggestions from others.

About 25 years ago I started reading a book about hunting Alaska in the '30's, it was a library book that I returned before I finished. I don't remember the title but I think the guy was a doctor, does that sound familiar to anyone? North of the Sun reminded me of it but I'm pretty sure that wasn't it.

[AmBraCol]

You might also enjoy "The Crusoe Of Lonesome Lake" about Ralph Edwards up in British Columbia. He had a fascinating approach to life. Taught himself aeronautical engineering so he could build his own plane for getting into and out of his remote homestead, among other things. He wasn't necessarily a "gun guy", but was a "whatever it takes to get the coon" man. Thanks for the tip on the Wolf Man book. Can't see laying out $20 for an ebook! I'll have to see if I can find a hard copy sometime we're up north.

[JRD]

Since we are now drifting into book recommendations on early 1900's Alaskan frontier living and hunting, here are some more I've enjoyed:

Alaskan- Yukon Trophies Won and Lost by G. O. Young. The story of Young's hunting adventures on horseback and canoe in Alaska and the Yukon in the 1920's.

Dangerous River- R. M. Patterson- 1920's Yukon frontier life including dog sledding, prospecting, and living in the extreme cold- such as estimating the temperature by the cracking sounds of the trees.

On the Edge of Nowhere- Jim Huntington - a little bit later than the other two books but stories of growing up and living on the Alaska frontier.

[Drawdown]

I 2nd "Alaskan and Yukon Trophies Won and Lost"! It another of my honest claims, most interesting book I ever read! Im gonna consider others mentioned here, Thanks for them! The late 1800's-early 1900's stories of exploration and adventures into B.C., Yukon, Alaska, are stole my hearts dreams long ago of most fascinating & interesting! Something I sure regret having not even tasted once my self!

[marlinman93]

Just ordered the Frank Glaser book on Ebay for $22 and free delivery. Can't wait to read it!

[Drawdown]

Im sure you'll enjoy it! Im for sure going to order "Wilderness of Denali" by Charles Sheldon. I think i got that title correct.

[samsi]

Im sure you'll enjoy it! Im for sure going to order "Wilderness of Denali" by Charles Sheldon. I think i got that title correct.

That's the one I was trying to remember, thanks! Was mistaken about him being a doctor, memory is getting faulty...

[dgr416]

I lived in Delta Junction Ak right above Black Rapids where he lived .I went back last summer couldnt believe the moose caribou and bears were gone .They let a bunch of russians in Delta junction and they shot everything .
Read Russell Annabels book even better than that one .I found his old cabin and people that knew him .I lived up there 12 years had many adventures .

[marlinman93]

Just an update to this topic since I finally received a used copy of this great book a few days ago.
Just getting through the introduction, and foreword to the chapters was a treat in itself! Lot of reading that I often skip through on books when it bored me, but this was great.
I'm into chapter 4 now, and hate to put it down to take care of other things! The writer based much of the book on Frank Glaser's diaries and he did a great job making it an interesting read. I keep finding myself wishing I was 50 years younger and could sell everything and move to the Alaska wilderness! Appreciate the book recommendation a lot!

[Drawdown]

Same way I feel in lotta ways! I often tell hunting buddies, if i could go back start over, BC or Yukon would be a main priority! Most of all to hunt one those big Moose! They fascinated me beyond description! Maybe a Brown Bear throwed in later on!
But my lifestyle from day 1 was working for the kids n mom, and it was 6 days week vast majority of time! But no regrets, im blessed! But what i said to begin with is the truth!
I didn't skip anything in the book, until the last few chapters, him hunting wolfs to preserve the natives reindeer in the artic. Scanned over some of it. But Rearden has a book of his own experiences in Alaska, i may try it some day, he sure did a good job writing about Glaser!

[piller]

If I were 50 years younger, I would be too young to go do that. I am 60 ½.

[wvfarrier]

I cannot imagine survivng 6 weeks at 50 below zero.

[BenT]

I started the book last weekend when it was -30. It is really enjoyable. I would of finished it by now if I didn't have to stop and play some cribbage with my bride.

[stretch]

WOW!!!

What a fascinatin' read!

I'm not all that far into it yet, and I'm following along with
Google Maps, but really, really interesting. And the characters
are something else. Those pioneers were TOUGH. I look at some
of the things we complain about, and compared to what they
endured just trying to improve their lot in life - well, I'll just shut
my mouth and get on with things....

Many thanks for the recommendation!

-Stretch