Do you know where your food comes from? That’s a common question these days, and it’s also the inspiration behind THE HUNGER, a new HuntStand’s original series.
There are few things humans do every single day. Our eyes blink. Our lungs breathe. Our brain pulses. Our limbs move. Our heart pumps blood.
And, of course, we eat.
While those first five activities generally occur on autopilot, with little or no conscious recognition, putting food in our mouths is recognized by many as one of life’s greatest pleasures. If you don’t feel that way, consider what you’re missing. Food is a blessing and it can be the richest form of art. Sitting down at a table or around a campfire with friends and family to enjoy a meal shouldn’t be a rushed or monotonous routine, it should be a celebration.
The countless people engaged in the farm-to-table food movement are already thrilled by their connection to healthy, free-range meat and organic vegetables, so naturally the next step in this progression is a desire to get blood on their own hands.
Most importantly, we need to understand and acknowledge where our food comes from. It seems a bunch of people have recognized this as of late—so much that we’ve seen a mass food movement driven by “localvores” and “foodies.” This is positive and exciting. But take note: Hunters have been doing it for hundreds of years, and now’s our chance to shed light on what, why and how we do it. It’s a prime opportunity to put some meat on the bone of our deteriorating hunting heritage.
The countless people engaged in the farm-to-table food movement are already thrilled by their connection to healthy, free-range meat and organic vegetables, so naturally the next step in this progression is a desire to get blood on their own hands. There’s nothing more honest and rewarding than harvesting your own organic protein. Every forkful of wild game comes with a memory, a story and a sincere respect for where it came from.
To take our food for granted, and to fill our stomachs with nourishment from sources unknown, could ultimately result in the plight of our species.
And speaking of “organic,” a term that’s loosely tossed around and frequently abused—there’s nothing more organic than our human drive to hunt. There are folks who have devoted their careers to studying human evolution, and some of those brightest minds have evidence to support a theory that says hunting played a major role in our evolution. Like it or not, there’s a damned good chance that the ancient pursuit and consumption of flesh and blood is the reason your modern brain developed to a point that allows you to sit at the top of the food chain.
To take our food for granted, and to fill our stomachs with nourishment from sources unknown, could ultimately result in the plight of our species. Sound a bit extreme? Think twice. Despite the popularity of the phrase, at the end of the day, ignorance rarely leads to bliss. In the unconscious blink of an eye that I mentioned earlier, the precious resources that sustain our existence could disappear. All because we didn’t take the time to honor our food.
I grew up in suburbia, skyscrapers on the horizon and honking horns always within earshot. I did things that most suburban kids do: rode bikes, skateboarded, played sports and video games, and ate my fair share of food out of a box (especially while my teenage parents were living on welfare, going to school and trying to build a future). However, my grandparents and uncles exposed me to the splendor and mystery of the outdoors. They did it mainly through fishing and hunting—two vehicles that will drive a person as close to nature as possible. I can say with certainty that the outdoors lifestyle saved me in more ways than one, and without it I’d more than likely be in a dark place … or dead.
Through countless whitetail and turkey hunting seasons, butchering and cooking my own meat became just as intriguing and important as pursing the animals that bear it. Before long, my trips to the grocery store didn’t involve a stop in the meat department. Now, I have no desire to purchase meat … in fact, it kind of weirds me out. My palate is conditioned to the tremendous flavor of wild game meat. I crave it every day. And I’m confident my body thanks me for it.
For guys like me, THE HUNGER runs deep and it’s apparent at the surface of our being. For others, its roots are buried and anxiously waiting to see the light. Regardless, it lives in all of us. I hope this series will help you to feed your organic passion.
-JD #theHUNGER
THE HUNGER is a hunting series dedicated to the pursuit of wild game meat. Highlighted by monthly HD online TV episodes, this HuntStand original series will also feature regularly updated content related to wild game processing, recipes, conservation and other food-related topics. The series is hosted by Josh Dahlke, an avid hunter and outdoor writer, and co-hosted by Mitch Kezar, a world-renowned outdoor photographer and expert wild game chef.
