The Hunter Gatherer Society: Foraging, Primitive Fishing, and Camping – Blending Traditional Skills with Modern Living

Unlocking the Wild: Exploring Foraging, Fermentation, and Outdoor Adventures with The Hunter Gatherer Society

Discover the art of foraging and fermentation with The Hunter Gatherer Society. Our blog offers insights on sourcing wild ingredients, crafting unique fermented beverages, and embracing outdoor adventures. Join us as we explore nature's bounty, share easy recipes, and inspire a deeper connection to the environment. Whether you're a seasoned forager or just starting your journey, our community is here to guide you in celebrating the wild and the wonders it holds.

Beginning to forage for wild Edible mushrooms and plants

August 18, 2022 rpolipnick Foraging, Wild Edible Mushrooms, Wild Edible Plants

You must love the outdoors, or at least want to love the outdoors to be a forager. It is sometimes referred to as quiet hunting. You can spend hours in the woods walking miles and come home empty handed. Or, sometimes, you will be in the right place at the right time and stumble on to the motherload. However, if you expect the latter each time you will be frustrated, disappointed, and it will bring an end to your foraging journey. Foraging is about so much more than finding wild edible plants and mushrooms. It is about reconnecting with nature in a way that was always intended. There is simple soothing and even healing benefits to slowly searching through the[…]

The Praiseworthy Puffball A Great Beginners Edible Mushroom

August 6, 2022 rpolipnick Foraging, Wild Edible Mushrooms

Long before my venture into the foraging world I was vaguely aware of the edibility of the common yard puffball. In general, my family was averse to the harvesting of wild mushrooms. However, the puffball did receive notable mention from my grandmother when I was a child. That was the first and for a long-time last mention of wild edible mushrooms outside of course of the very popular morel. As I began to explore the world of wild mushroom hunting the puffball, being common in my area, was a great fist run at the collection and preparation of edible mushrooms. It took very little research to understand the identification and edibility of these little white wonders and again in my[…]

Easy Pickled Fish Recipe: A Nostalgic Delight

July 31, 2022 rpolipnick Wild Food Recipes

Growing up in Minnesota, one of my favorite snacks was pickled fish, and to this day, I still relish it. A real treat for me was the opportunity to enjoy pickled northern pike when it was available. The texture of pickled pike is truly special; unlike store-bought pickled herring, it retains a firm and clean consistency that enhances the overall enjoyment. I’ve even managed to convert a few friends who claimed they didn’t like pickled fish! After moving to Alaska, where northern pike is abundant, I found myself in Florida, where this fish is harder to come by. In Alaska, I discovered a great substitute: pickled pollock. Like pike, pollock has a nice firmness and pairs beautifully with pickling spices.[…]

The Beautiful Catesby’s lily (Lilium catesbaei)

November 1, 2021 rpolipnick Foraging

Wild edible plants and mushrooms are typically our topic of discussion. However In a few recent videos and photos a beautiful Lily has graced us with its presence. Since it is not an edible plant I have not mentioned it much beyond its name. Today after enjoying another bloom of this magnificent plant I wanted to take a moment to feature it. This beautiful Lily is known as Catesby’s Lily, pine lily, leopard lily, tiger lily and southern-red lily. It loves to show off its large flowers that have six bright reddish-orange and reflexed tepals which are yellow with purple spots at their inner base and is the largest flower of any North American lily. Their Stamen is also conspicuous,[…]

Water to table: Forage, fish, and cook

October 25, 2021 rpolipnick Foraging, Wild Food Recipes

With clouds in the sky and rain in the forecast my decision was made. Stay home and do very little. The problem was I had been home and off the water for a couple months now due to a nearly life ending bout with covid-19. The day before I had forced myself to go out into the garage and organize my gear which would uncover the kayak. This was intended to motivate me to get back on the water but seemed to have failed. Finally after arguing with myself for some time I decided to simply go for a drive. Just in case the motivation hit me I also loaded up my fishing and foraging gear as well. After driving[…]