A hunter-gatherer is a person living in society in which most or all food is obtained by foraging which means collecting wild plants and pursuing wild animals. There are few true hunter gatherer societies left as agricultural societies took over and now dominate. Spread through our society there are many very specific groups including fishermen, hunters, and foragers. Often times these groups are very focused on that particular interest with little to no discussion on the other elements. Some are even overshadowed by the extreme views of one group for example the foraging groups can often be dominated by vegetarians or vegans where hunting groups can be overshadowed by trophy hunters that kill for sport and trophies with little or even no interest in food. Let’s face it your not going to see a picture of a harvested wild animal or fish on any mushroom or edible plant blog.
Somewhere in the middle of all this is another group, a relatively nameless group that enjoys and engages in each of these activities. And although many of us do not provide most or all of our food through hunter gatherer activities we do supplement some portion of it in this manner. Here in my house for example the freezer is full of catfish, Jack Crevalle, Whiting, and a few other random species of fish. In addition to fish it often contains some wild meat. currently there is a small supply of gator meat. The cupboard above my stove is relatively bare in comparison to previous years as I am still trying to learn the Florida landscape and seasons however there are a few container of dried mushrooms that were foraged by us this past fall. Of course there are also a few random jars of homemade teas and seasonings.
There is more to it than just food of course. As a hunter gatherer we build a massive archive of great adventures into the wild which give us many amazing memories and stories to share. Our families bond over shared interests and well (sometimes failed) prepared meals. Most importantly we build lasting relationships with friends around the world that enjoy similar interests. During the course of raising our kids we have ample opportunities to teach our children valuable life lessons and the importance of preserving the beautiful wild places that we love so much.
For us the communal sharing of ideas, recipes, tips, stories, and humor is often spread across many forums. With this in mind the hunter gatherer society was born. A place for those of us that love the outdoors and the bounty that it offers. One place where we can share our stories, ask for advice, and share the ways in which we preserve and prepare our gathered goods from the wild. Learn to hunt mushrooms or grouse, discover how to make jerky or smoked meat, share your best recipe for your favorite foraged food, or simply share photos from your adventures.
So I invite you to join us on our future adventures by liking the Hunter Gatherer Society Facebook page and share a favorite picture or just say hello.
