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

by Craig Raleigh

“Craig Raleigh puts hunting into modern perspective, combining higher sensibilities and his firsthand insight into the hunting world to gently illuminate a part of human nature that was, and still is, among the purest of human endeavors.” —Jim Shockey, award-winning writer and host of Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures and Uncharted A thoughtful appreciation of hunting and a celebration of the outdoors that illuminates the hunter’s psyche, role, and influence on our culture. "As we began to set foot in the outdoors we didn’t expect to learn something beyond where the deer were running or where the ducks were flying. Once we realized what these creatures really wanted, it was the opening of truth for us as hunters." A long-time hunter and fisherman and senior writer at Wide Open Spaces , Craig Raleigh has spent most of the last forty-five years of his life trying to find that elusive Holy Grail of hunting, that unimagined outdoor reality where one’s training, instinct, and experience converge into extraordinary bliss and accomplishment. He is the first to admit, that this does not entail the capture of a deer or an ever-evasive pheasant. It is the freedom to give back to the outdoors as much as one takes from it. For hunters, a life lived in the outdoors is massively rewarding and offers non-stop pleasures. It comes with the love of camaraderie, choice, and reward, and provides a deep appreciation for the nature world. The Hunter’s Way is his meditative and philosophical journey into the soul of a hunter. Divided into four parts that mirror the hunting experience—the background, the preparation, the hunt, and the harvest—it addresses the paradox of hunting as conservationism, ruminates on the failures and successes of hunting as sport and as a way of life, and reveals how hunting influences our society. As Raleigh explains, the hunt is so much more than the kill. Most often, the hunter leaves the woods and fields empty-handed. Rather, the beauty of hunting is in the experience itself. As a hunter, you are constantly looking for clues. Yet in nature, signs are changeable, confusing, and never the same the second time. A captivating synthesis of On Trails, Norwegian Wood , and Shop Class as Soulcraft, The Hunter’s Way is a literary reflection and love letter to the value of hunting as both sport and way of life.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[Paige Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short book is a great treatise on the values and practices which all genuine hunters share. I really appreciated Craig’s insight into the ego that can drive hunters to bad decisions, his unequivocal condemnation of poaching, of his balanced approach of not trying to convert non-hunters but simply trying to offer up an explanation which might help them gain some insight into a world they’ve never experienced for themselves. If you’re looking for a solid read on the topic, this is one you should definitely pick up.

Favorite Quote: “He is undeserving of the moniker “Hunter” and all the respect that comes with it. The poacher is mentally and spiritually bereft. He tethers himself to the lie that his victory over nature takes precedence over the actual hunt.”

[Ethan O'Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book, going over the habits and values that most hunters have in regard to the animals they love to hunt so much. That they'll spend their hard earned money both to hunt and to preserve the creatures they hold dear for the next generation. He talks about the importance of family, and good friends. And the soul of the hunt that has entered everyone that has ever been on a legitimate hunt.

[LS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a man who enjoys hunting and fishing, yet is an avid environmentalist and animal fanatic. So, of course I spotted the obvious dichotomy and wondered how he rationalized the cognitive dissonance. _The Hunter's Way_ not only perfectly articulates how hunters sustain these seemingly contradictory beliefs, but provides such a holistic view of how hunting fits into one's worldview, family traditions, social network, personal identity, personal growth, relation to both nature and existence, that there is no dichotomy.
I found the depth of intimacy that Raleigh does this with to be simply breathtaking. Although, I am not going to be pulling the trigger on Bambi anytime soon, now I do feel a level of compassion, respect, and understanding for hunting that will enable me to tag along with my lover on some of his trips and appreciate his joy for it.