The Compassionate Hunter's Guidebook: Hunting from the Heart(Mother Earth News Books for Wiser Living)

"This book reminds us that hunting provides sustenance for both body and soul, and that mindful eating requires both respect and gratitude."--Tovar Cerulli, author of The Mindful Carnivore Wild meat, hunted in a responsible way, is one of the most healthful, sustainable foods possible. Depending on how it is done, hunting can be as local, intimate and humane as it gets. And aside from this, it demands the hunter enter a world of awareness, wildness, life and death that as a culture we have lost connection to. The Compassionate Hunter's Guidebook is for those who come to the act of hunting with pure intentions, motivated by a desire for healthy food that comes directly from the land where they live. This practical manual suggests that hunting is not a "sport" and the animals whose lives are taken are not "game." It combines a deep, philosophical exploration of the ethics of killing with detailed instructions on every step of the process including: Understanding your prey Tools, techniques and preparation The act of the hunt From forest to table--processing, preserving and preparing your kill. A unique and comprehensive, fully-illustrated guide to the complexity, ethics and spirit of the hunt, The Compassionate Hunter is a must-read for beginning and experienced hunters alike. It will appeal to anyone who wishes to delve more deeply into the complex, humbling and ultimately profound reality of our relationship with the food that nourishes us. "Arguably the food that most closely approximates our nutritional needs, wild game assumes a sacred and satiating beauty in The Compassionate Hunter."--Joel Salatin, farmer and author of Pastured Poultry Profits

About the Author :
Miles Olson has spent the past decade deeply immersed in learning and practicing earth skills; living intimately with the land on the forested edge of a sprawling city. While foraging, hunting, gardening, and gathering for his livelihood, his life has been shaped profoundly by a desire to nurture healthy relationships with humans and the non-human world. Miles' experiences living on the land have given him a rare perspective on wild nature and sustainability. He is the author of Unlearn, Rewild .

Review :
" The Compassionate Hunter's Guidebook helps the reader embrace the most basic truth of our existence -- that life cannot exist without death. Buying meat on a Styrofoam tray insulates us from that reality. Avoiding meat is potentially worse, as ecosystems are degraded and wildlife habitat is lost to the plow. Olson encourages readers to take life into their own hands by hunting from the heart. He provides A-to-Z instructions to embrace reality and discover the most balanced way to sustain ourselves and the planet." -- Thomas J. Elpel, author, Participating in Nature and producer, The Art of Nothing Wilderness Survival Video Series "Arguably the food that most closely approximates our nutritional needs, wild game assumes a sacred and satiating beauty in The Compassionate Hunter . If you've ever wondered how people could reverence hunting, Miles Olson explains the whole relationship the way it ought to be. That makes all the difference." -- Joel Salatin, farmer and author "This is not your typical hunting manual. Olson's practical advice on how to hunt and utilize animals fully -- where else will you find a recipe for a dessert made from deerskin? -- are framed by the vital recognition that every being is bound up in the same sacred web of life and death. Earthy and heartfelt, this book reminds us that hunting provides sustenance for both body and soul, and that mindful eating requires both respect and gratitude." --Tovar Cerulli, author, The Mindful Carnivore: A Vegetarian's Hunt for Sustenance