THE STORY OF THE HUNT
GENERATIONAL HARVEST OF KNOWLEDGE
My grandfather taught me one of the most important characteristics of hunting, the attention to detail. Maybe not directly but through art, seeing a face as lines, shadows and highlights, unfocusing my brain and thinking about possible outcomes with each stroke. The planning being so methodical and needing to have additional knowledge to stand out. My whole life I have been hunting the perfect finishing stroke for that painting that took hours. That one impeccable painting that would take anyone ’ s breath away. The correct audience for my work. A person who could feel the same things seeing it as I did painting it. I never identified this as hunting just thought it was a common feeling among artists until I became the prey. Until I came across that painting that made my heart ache and took my breath away.
Another experience I have for hunting comes from my Hispanic culture. My grandmother since we were little has accustomed us to planting, caring and collecting plants for different reasons. She would mention practical uses for the plants such as making spices, medicinal purposes and even for an extra color pop.
In preparation...
Before my hunt, I would define what hunting means to me, based on my experiences and research. Aaron Futrell (2019) mentioned that the reasons for hunting are primarily for meat, adventure, camaraderie, challenge, and spirituality. If I had to list these five in order from most important to least, it would be for meat, camaraderie, challenge, adventure, and lastly spirituality. I would begin with hunting smaller game such as a duck to begin to learn the basics of hunting.
I would cook a pan seared duck accompanied with a sweet tart fruit sauce, as shown in the image below. I would also research the process of butchering the animal, to cooking the meat safely and to what is the most favorable way to cook it. This would keep me motivated for the hunt, since learning many new things can be very intimidating but cooking is still in my comfort zone.
..to cook!
Fair Chase
I would need my hunting license and some preparation to use a firearm. In this process it is crucial to understand the principles of fair chase mentioned by Dizard (2022) where he mentioned the following 6:
1-. Following laws and regulations
2-. Respect the tradition of local people
3-. Follow a personal code of conduct
4-. Have the skills to give the prey a quick death
5-. Do not bring dishonor to the hunters
6-. Make the experience challenging to enhance the connection with the earth.
Beforehand, I would train a bit more upper body since I know I might get a bit of recoil from the firearm and I don't want to be injured due to the lack of muscle or strength. I would also research and plan the food.
Figure 2
Fashion Show?
According to “What is the Hunter's most important item of clothing?”, the clothes worn on a hunt are also very important since they might be the reason an animal can spot you. Although it sounds corny, it might make a difference to wear earth tones or camouflage. When it is hunting season, many hunters wear an orange blaze or other bright color to avoid accidents from hunter to hunter. Making sure you use multiple layers to ensure warmth, protection, and dryness can make or break a hunt. Accessories like boots, hats, and gloves are also very important; these will facilitate any details that might come up. This fashion show will allow me to focus on a fair chase.
Hunting Time!
I would prefer to hunt with experienced hunters since being the only beginner would bring lots of comfort. I may not know everyone but I would like to have a good time.
Since my main game objective is a duck, I would travel to San Jacinto, CA, which is said to be a great hunting spot for ducks. The day before the hunt, I would travel to California since I live in Arizona. The morning of the hunt, I imagine waking up with a knot in my stomach from excitement and nervousness, that rush you tend to get before something very anticipated yet new. I would put on my clothes, which were previously laid out and bought specifically for this occasion.
Make a great batch of coffee for everyone going on the hunt and have a good breakfast to begin the day well. After making sure all the paperwork is correct and packed, on our way we go. After traveling to the hunting spot, I imagine the hunt being a procedure to ensure everyone has their necessary documents. After finding an appropriate place to settle and wait for ducks to come closer, the waiting game, I'm sure, would almost finish me, since that is the one thing practiced the least. After a long wait, a duck approached, and everyone signals to me that it is mine. After observing the duck and waiting just for the right distance to shoot, I hope to find myself learning about these creatures and just hope that in that moment I feel worthy enough to take a life. I think about all the hunting ethics and if I truly followed every single one. If I was an honor to the hunting community. If I would be able to deliver a fatal shot. If I was respecting the local community.
The excitement of months of preparation and so many resources, just as time and money would push me to pull the trigger to deliver a fatal blow. I don't know if it would be the correct procedure, but I would inform everyone that the shoot was successful, to then take it home. I’m sure that in that moment I would feel an amazing rush of adrenaline and accomplishment to then be able to do the best part, in my opinion, the cooking. I imagine driving back, watching the sunset while everyone shares the best moments.
Since the dish I will be preparing is a pan-seared duck, I will only pluck it in order to keep the skin and fat on, which will give a unique taste. The most important step is to keep the animal cool to make sure bacteria do not start growing.
Figure 1
Once home it will rest in saltwater to improve taste and allow me to rest from a very eventful day of hunting. The next day, I would dedicate the day to cooking the duck with the people that accompanied me to my first hunt, to then share a delicious meal and a laugh. At that point, it is not just a meal; it becomes a much more meaningful act since I would have to honor this animal and the benefits it provided me with. At the moment, I can't predict what I would feel, but honor must be one of them. I'm not sure if I would become a hunter, but I would like to experience it at least once and have that story to tell. Or maybe I do become a hunter and have a legacy to pass down to my children and grandchildren.
I know it might sound very unrealistic or maybe like everything went too well, but that is how I hope to experience hunting for the first time.
I hope to end up with much more valuable things from this hunt, like lifetime friendships, patience, discipline, hard work, and other qualities that can only be obtained through experiencing life and the natural world.
Figure 1
Figure 4
Works Cited
Futrell, A. (2019). Why we hunt: the five motivations of the modern hunter. Canal Fulton, OH: Futrell. (philosophy, anthropology) (pp. 11-12)
Figure 1: Hanson, C. (2025). 10 favorite duck recipes for special dinners. Allrecipes. https://www.allrecipes.com/gallery/duck-recipes/
Jan E. Dizard, & Mary Zeiss Stange. (2022). Hunting : A Cultural History. The MIT Press.
What is the Hunter’s most important item of clothing? Stealth Vision ®. (n.d.). https://stealthvision.com/what-is-the-hunters-most-important-itemof-clothing-2/
Figure 2: Bradleyhebdon. 105 San Jacinto Wildlife Area Stock Photos, HighRes Pictures, and Images - Getty Images. (n.d.). https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/san-jacinto-wildlife-area
Figure 3 and 4: Brown, K. (2016). 5 Overlooked Puddle Ducks and How to Hunt Them. https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/waterfowl/5-overlookedpuddle-ducks-and-how-to-hunt-them
- LEWIS CARROLL