The hunter's way : a guide to the heart and soul of hunting

The hunter's way A guide to the heart and soul of hunting

Craig Raleigh

Book - 2018

"In this love letter to hunting and outdoor appreciation, longtime hunter and fisherman Craig Raleigh takes readers on a meditative journey into the psyche of a hunter -- from addressing the paradox of hunting as conservationism to exploring the egos of hunters to detailing the hunt itself. He ruminates on the failures and successes of hunting as an integrally cultural way of life and explains how hunting finds its way into everyday practice -- from its generational wisdom to how we think about and consume our food. Divided into four parts that mirror the hunting experience -- the background, the preparation, the hunt, and the harvest -- The Hunter's Way transports readers into the lush forests and backwoods of this ancient ritual... to examine and reflect on its perennial importance. As Raleigh explains, the hunt is so much more than the kill. More often than not, the hunter walks away from the woods and fields empty-handed. Some see in this fate a profound beauty, while others see shame and disappointment. But whether the result is meager or bountiful, the experience comes with the love of camaraderie, choice, and reward, and provides a deep appreciation for the natural world. The hunt is upon us, and it's an undeniable part of us all." --

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Subjects
Hunting.
Hunting > Philosophy.
Hunters > Social life and customs.
Wildlife conservation.
Published
New York, NY : Dey Street Books [2018]
Language
English
Main Author
Craig Raleigh (author)
Edition
First edition
Physical Description
xvi, 187 pages ; 19 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 181-187).
ISBN
9780062839329
  • Part One: The Background. Mythology of the Hunter's Ego
  • Outdoor Appreciation
  • Conservation
  • The Wisdom of Our Elders
  • Part Two: The Preparation. The Hunter as Detective
  • Practice as a Purpose
  • How Nature Hunts
  • Putting Our Time In
  • Part Three: The Hunt. The Most Difficult Game
  • Our Bodies as Hunters
  • Arrogance of the Poacher
  • The Heart and Soul of Reflection
  • Part Four: The Harvest. For Love of the Game Harvest
  • Loving Animals vs. Fearing Animals
  • The Hunter's Luck
  • The Heart and Soul of Success and Failure.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Quartered into sections that deal with the background, the preparation, the hunt, and the harvest, Raleigh, a senior writer at Wide Open Spaces, insightfully explores the influence hunting can have on one's physical and psychological well-being as well as the sport's place in our culture as a whole. He shares tales that have been passed down for generations, and adds a reflective layer to his storytelling. Referring to Buddhist practices or Native American spirituality, for example, he notes how "ritual and instinct" can converge "into recreation." He always keeps one foot on the ground by seamlessly melding introspective thoughts, like those about the failed hunter ("In the never-ending journey though the tangled vines and brambles of life, he cannot dodge the reality that he is, after all, only human," and not as fast as the ruffed grouse that had escaped him) with humorous anecdotes, such as being surprised by a grouse flushed from the snow and thinking, "A man with a loaded 12-gauge shotgun is no match for a missile-powered chicken that can fly." A conservationist at heart, he doesn't hesitate to call out his fellow hunters for trophy hunting, poaching, or littering in the woods, giving this work a wider-appeal than just the avid hunters for whom it will intrigue and inspire. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

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