Most hunters (including me) DO eat what they kill, as they should. It helps form the connection between the hunter, the land, and the food that comes from the land. This is why I have a problem with things like wolf hunting, and even some big-game trophy hunting (as in Africa). Killing an animal like a wolf or a lion just to say you killed it, and/or to have a taxidermist mount it for display, gives all hunters a bad name, in the eyes of many non-hunters. And I can see why. Personally, I will never take the life of an animal that I have no intention of eating.
You entertain and educate all the while inspiring me to push myself farther. One question; can you define for my understanding what “clean farming” is?
Great article, I was asked this question this weekend by a family member. Their response was oh good so you don’t trophy hunt then. Which is kind of true but also not, I do buck hunt but really all I’m after is a mature deer not the next record. I have never scored a deer my “score” is how many pounds of meat I get. I am also not exactly an “adult onset hunter” but I started as a teenager and am the only one in my family immediate and direct that hunts. However with your help I’ve been able to get my family into game meat. Additionally the perception of hunters is something that I come
Across often. I have long hair studied geology/ecology in school and work with the EPA. No one thinks I could be a hunter because in Pennsylvania it’s seen as a good ol’ pennsyltuckey boy thing and not something that an environmentalist and conservationist would do. Which we all know is just not true.
Right on point. We eat everything we hunt and are thankful for the experience. Hunting gives you a heightened appreciation for the environment. Without preserving our natural spaces we can’t have the privilege of eating well and organically. As elders we feel privileged to help our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren eat well and appreciate what Mother Nature blesses us with.
While I love to eat most game, I don't have it in me to do the kill or butchering. If you hunt to eat, kudo's to you and thanks for sharing your bounty. If you hunt for trophy's...why? Good article and thanks for making it clear that habitat de3struction is bad for both critters and humans...
To me hunting has always been about eating.When I was in high school I started small game hunting, rabbits and squirrels, and my mom would cook them into delicious dinners that only she and I would eat, no else wanted anything to do with the tasty critters. When I got older I continued to small game hunt but also started to deer hunt. Most of my earlier deer kills were ground into burger cause it was easier to get the kids to eat it. I have since gotten better at cooking venison so I do steaks and roasts along with the burger. I do have two bucks up on the wall, but I'm always happy to bag a fat doe!
Are you seeing/hearing any kind of change in your hunting network towards food (primarily) and trophies (secondarily)? Among millennial hunters? Anything?
Spot on. Aside from pests like bugs and vermin, I won't kill what I don't plan to eat. I have no problem with hunting bears. Bear meat is great, but it's more meat than my bride and I will eat, so I'm not going bear hunting.
My question back to you Hank, is how do we conduct drumstick diplomacy? I live in NW Wisconsin, where we don't run into many folks that need to be schooled on the subject. There's a much larger percentage of hunters and fishers around here. Those that don't hunt and fish tend to be well aware of those of us that do, and what we do with what we harvest.
This is a great piece of work! Like a great dish, the flavor lingers on the tongue long after, and leaves you looking for more. In this case, how much more do hunters and anglers need to do to help foster this diplomacy? Food has the incredible ability to bridge all kinds of divides. Many a family get together is saved by the food hitting the table! A small act on our part can have a meaningful impact; if you don't have someone in mind specifically to share your harvest with, then try your local food pantry, and if they don't have a program for wild food, help them start one.
Also being prepared to answer the "why" you hunt and fish goes along with that diplomacy. Take time to figure out why these traditions are important to YOU, and practice putting those thoughts to words. It's important to get it right!
Hank is a great voice for those of us who harvest wild food from the land and water, and here's why; he is not afraid to tackle the tough questions. Let's celebrate those among us who focus on the "why" instead of the"how" we hunt and fish. We don't need more salesmen selling gadgets and gear. We don't need more people dividing us over who's right and wrong, and which traditions we pick over another. What we need is honest people, sharing from the heart, taking on the "meat" of the matter (pun intended).
Thanks Hank, for all you do!
I encourage anyone who doesn't own at least one of Hank's books to pick one up.
Great read. I've run across some of those hunters that don't eat what they kill. Hard to believe they can do that. But it was a wind fall for me. We were at a duck camp in Canada a few years ago, a father, son and grand son came, hunted and left. They don't like duck.
When I get asked that question I instantly and enthusiastically launch into a description of How I intend to prepare whatever I have killed. Sometimes the description is “cheffy” other times very simplistic. Doing that creates a connection with the person who asked the question to the high regard I hold for the food value of fish and game and often solicits a desire to be invited to share in the dining experience.
Really enjoyed this piece and love the last statement! I was a little worried that wild game in my daily food posts would be polarizing, or would cause some pushback from my readers, but honestly after 2 years of doing it every day there has been nothing but positive comments and respectful questions (other than the odd vegan troll). I think approaching it from the food side of things has been the reason for that, and it makes me happy that I'm helping to normalize wild food and nose to tail eating to a segment of the population that was never exposed to it (much like myself 20 years ago).
Loved the piece. And I’m enjoying the new blog. Keep up the great work. 👍👍👍
Most hunters (including me) DO eat what they kill, as they should. It helps form the connection between the hunter, the land, and the food that comes from the land. This is why I have a problem with things like wolf hunting, and even some big-game trophy hunting (as in Africa). Killing an animal like a wolf or a lion just to say you killed it, and/or to have a taxidermist mount it for display, gives all hunters a bad name, in the eyes of many non-hunters. And I can see why. Personally, I will never take the life of an animal that I have no intention of eating.
You entertain and educate all the while inspiring me to push myself farther. One question; can you define for my understanding what “clean farming” is?
Great stuff! "That" question bothers me a lot, especially from people in Portland. Irritating.
On the other hand, I can't wait to see your "cheffed up" recipe for Pheasant Salad sandwich on white bread.....just no miracle whip!
Great article, I was asked this question this weekend by a family member. Their response was oh good so you don’t trophy hunt then. Which is kind of true but also not, I do buck hunt but really all I’m after is a mature deer not the next record. I have never scored a deer my “score” is how many pounds of meat I get. I am also not exactly an “adult onset hunter” but I started as a teenager and am the only one in my family immediate and direct that hunts. However with your help I’ve been able to get my family into game meat. Additionally the perception of hunters is something that I come
Across often. I have long hair studied geology/ecology in school and work with the EPA. No one thinks I could be a hunter because in Pennsylvania it’s seen as a good ol’ pennsyltuckey boy thing and not something that an environmentalist and conservationist would do. Which we all know is just not true.
Right on point. We eat everything we hunt and are thankful for the experience. Hunting gives you a heightened appreciation for the environment. Without preserving our natural spaces we can’t have the privilege of eating well and organically. As elders we feel privileged to help our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren eat well and appreciate what Mother Nature blesses us with.
Love your writing!
While I love to eat most game, I don't have it in me to do the kill or butchering. If you hunt to eat, kudo's to you and thanks for sharing your bounty. If you hunt for trophy's...why? Good article and thanks for making it clear that habitat de3struction is bad for both critters and humans...
To me hunting has always been about eating.When I was in high school I started small game hunting, rabbits and squirrels, and my mom would cook them into delicious dinners that only she and I would eat, no else wanted anything to do with the tasty critters. When I got older I continued to small game hunt but also started to deer hunt. Most of my earlier deer kills were ground into burger cause it was easier to get the kids to eat it. I have since gotten better at cooking venison so I do steaks and roasts along with the burger. I do have two bucks up on the wall, but I'm always happy to bag a fat doe!
Awesome post Hank! (Like always.)
Are you seeing/hearing any kind of change in your hunting network towards food (primarily) and trophies (secondarily)? Among millennial hunters? Anything?
Spot on. Aside from pests like bugs and vermin, I won't kill what I don't plan to eat. I have no problem with hunting bears. Bear meat is great, but it's more meat than my bride and I will eat, so I'm not going bear hunting.
My question back to you Hank, is how do we conduct drumstick diplomacy? I live in NW Wisconsin, where we don't run into many folks that need to be schooled on the subject. There's a much larger percentage of hunters and fishers around here. Those that don't hunt and fish tend to be well aware of those of us that do, and what we do with what we harvest.
This is a great piece of work! Like a great dish, the flavor lingers on the tongue long after, and leaves you looking for more. In this case, how much more do hunters and anglers need to do to help foster this diplomacy? Food has the incredible ability to bridge all kinds of divides. Many a family get together is saved by the food hitting the table! A small act on our part can have a meaningful impact; if you don't have someone in mind specifically to share your harvest with, then try your local food pantry, and if they don't have a program for wild food, help them start one.
Also being prepared to answer the "why" you hunt and fish goes along with that diplomacy. Take time to figure out why these traditions are important to YOU, and practice putting those thoughts to words. It's important to get it right!
Hank is a great voice for those of us who harvest wild food from the land and water, and here's why; he is not afraid to tackle the tough questions. Let's celebrate those among us who focus on the "why" instead of the"how" we hunt and fish. We don't need more salesmen selling gadgets and gear. We don't need more people dividing us over who's right and wrong, and which traditions we pick over another. What we need is honest people, sharing from the heart, taking on the "meat" of the matter (pun intended).
Thanks Hank, for all you do!
I encourage anyone who doesn't own at least one of Hank's books to pick one up.
Great read. I've run across some of those hunters that don't eat what they kill. Hard to believe they can do that. But it was a wind fall for me. We were at a duck camp in Canada a few years ago, a father, son and grand son came, hunted and left. They don't like duck.
When I get asked that question I instantly and enthusiastically launch into a description of How I intend to prepare whatever I have killed. Sometimes the description is “cheffy” other times very simplistic. Doing that creates a connection with the person who asked the question to the high regard I hold for the food value of fish and game and often solicits a desire to be invited to share in the dining experience.
Really enjoyed this piece and love the last statement! I was a little worried that wild game in my daily food posts would be polarizing, or would cause some pushback from my readers, but honestly after 2 years of doing it every day there has been nothing but positive comments and respectful questions (other than the odd vegan troll). I think approaching it from the food side of things has been the reason for that, and it makes me happy that I'm helping to normalize wild food and nose to tail eating to a segment of the population that was never exposed to it (much like myself 20 years ago).