The Hunter's Way: A Guide to the Heart and Soul of Hunting Hardcover - 2018

"He could see it in the way the forest climbed its way toward the sky, and in the way it fell precariously down; how it showed what was obviously the crest of the hill and the way that the trees spilled over the sides. . . . Some lucky young men and women would see elk, bear, and moose before those same trees would hide them completely. If he thought he saw something, he had only fallen prey to his imagination."

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.