Elk vs. Hunter: When the Boots Come Back is a children's hunting story and coloring book by Buck Nicholson, told from the elk's point of view, for young hunters 7 and up. To us it is the wilderness. To the elk it is home, so when a pair of boots shows up where no boots were yesterday, they know. A young bull elk named Sprig and his herd teach seven elk rules, and each one becomes a Hunter's Field Note: what a young hunter should actually do this season.
It is meant to be read aloud by a parent, grandparent or mentor while a kid colors. It teaches how elk think, not how to use a bow or a rifle.
At a glance
| Title | Elk vs. Hunter: When the Boots Come Back |
|---|---|
| Subtitle | A Hunting Story and Coloring Book, Told by the Elk |
| Author | Buck Nicholson (about) |
| Publisher | Synthase Press (Synthase LLC) |
| Published | September 28, 2026 (paperback); October 1, 2026 (Field Edition Hardcover) |
| Type | Children's hunting story, coloring book and activity book in one |
| Age | Young hunters 7 and up, with a grown-up reading along for younger kids |
| Told by | Sprig, a young bull elk in his first September |
| Characters | Sprig; Old Rack, the herd bull; Nervous Nell, the lead cow; Sparky, a goofy spike |
| Lessons | Seven elk rules with Hunter's Field Notes: wind and thermals, bedding and feeding, water and cameras, calling, eyes and stillness, pressure, and the last morning (read them) |
| Paperback | $14.99, 54 pages, 8.5 x 11 in. Amazon ASIN B0HLMLDVJF, ISBN 979-8177400396 |
| Field Edition Hardcover | $26.99, 80 pages, 8.25 x 11 in, adds a 24-page Elk Camp section. Amazon ASIN B0HLQWH67H, ISBN 979-8178210468 |
| Inside both editions | 17 full-page coloring scenes with a hunter hidden in each, Meet the Herd character pages, 7 Hunter's Field Notes, a track quiz, mazes, a word search, a dot-to-dot, a map to plan your own hunt, an upside-down answer key |
| Field Edition extras | Eight-day season log, tracks and sign journal, the Young Hunter's Pledge, camp chili recipe, more puzzles (4 mazes, 2 word searches, a crossword, a secret code), a presentation page and an Official Elk Camp Graduate certificate |
| Printing | Black ink on white paper so every picture can be colored. Crayons and colored pencils work best. |
| Where to buy | Amazon.com. Links at bucknicholson.com/buy |
| Bulk copies | Classes, RMEF chapters, banquets, outfitters and shops: hello@bucknicholson.com |
| Series | The first of a series of books each told by a different animal. Readers vote on the next animal at bucknicholson.com/next |
The story
Meet Sprig, a young bull elk in his first September, and the herd that teaches him everything: Old Rack, the herd bull who has watched hunters for years; Nervous Nell, the lead cow who notices every new stump on the mountain; and Sparky, a goofy spike who has never met a trail camera he did not love. The elk also know the hunter misses his family, and they only have to outsmart him a couple of times before he heads home.
Every chapter starts with a laugh and ends with something true. On the last morning of the season, in the fog, Sprig leads the herd right past the one hunter who did almost everything right.
Who it is for
- Kids 7 and up who tag along on hunts or are about to start
- Parents, grandparents and mentors who want something to read together before a first season
- Hunter education instructors, youth mentors and RMEF and sportsmen's banquet youth tables
- Deer, turkey and camping families, and kids who just like animals
Questions from grown-ups
What age is Elk vs. Hunter for?
Young hunters 7 and up. Younger kids enjoy the coloring and the jokes with a grown-up reading along. Older kids get more out of the field notes.
Does it teach kids to use a bow or a rifle?
No. It teaches how elk think: wind, bedding, water, calling and pressure. Real hunting starts with a hunter education course and a grown-up who knows the way.
Do you have to be an elk hunter to enjoy it?
No. It is a story about seeing a place through an animal's eyes. Deer and turkey families, campers and kids who just like animals all get something from it.
How is it printed?
Two editions. The paperback is 8.5 x 11 inches and 54 pages. The Field Edition Hardcover is 8.25 x 11 inches and 80 pages. Both are black ink on white paper so every picture can be colored. Crayons and colored pencils work best; markers may show through.
Where do I buy Elk vs. Hunter?
On Amazon.com. The paperback is $14.99 and the Field Edition Hardcover is $26.99. bucknicholson.com/buy links to both.
Which edition should I get?
The paperback is the whole story, all 17 coloring scenes and every field lesson. The Field Edition Hardcover adds a 24-page Elk Camp section for a real season: a log for eight days in the field, a tracks and sign journal, the Young Hunter's Pledge to sign with a mentor, more puzzles, a camp chili recipe, a presentation page and an Elk Camp Graduate certificate. It is the one to give as a gift or keep for years.
Can I get several copies for a class, chapter or event?
Yes. Write to hello@bucknicholson.com with how many and when you need them.