“How better to address the question ‘Does hunting make us human?’ than to live the hunting life fully, unconscientiously, ethically and unapologetically? To teach by lived example, with humility and without regret, that all life feeds on death, including, eventually, our own.” – Mary Zeiss Stange
I used to go into the woods and imagine that I was the first to walk on a piece of ground and my footprints were the first to leave their mark. I was drawn to the idea of pristine wilderness. My imagination was romanced by the possibility that I was the first human to walk or paddle a place. I would see footprints from a past hiker and feel somehow disappointed or… Read More
Category: Personal Reflections Tags: Backcountry, Darwin, Hiking, Hunter recruitment, hunting stories, Nature, Nature-culture, Steven Rinella, stories
Those of us who have spent a lot of time hunting and fishing come to learn much more about ourselves than our skill as hunters and fishers. The outdoors offers an amphitheater to learn some wonderful things about life that is unmatched in the depth and generosity of the lessons it provides. Hunting has provided me with more opportunities than any other activity in my life to gain perspective about important aspects… Read More
Category: Personal Reflections Tags: Adult onset hunter, Hunting, hunting stories, Patience
It has always been the case that explorers, wanderers, hunters, and conservationists have recorded and later told stories of their experiences in the natural world. As varied in their voices as the environments that inspired them, our bookshelves should be overflowing with their tales and thoughts. As Steven Rinella says in Meat Eater, “hunting stories are the oldest and most widespread form of story on earth.” The knowledge these writers have to share will… Read More