Hunting Bridges Divides, Offers Path to Lasting Eating
Ponderosa Pine, Arizona – As political polarization deepens, a surprising number of liberals are finding common ground - and sustenance - in hunting, challenging conventional narratives about the sport and offering a localized solution to concerns about industrial food production. This shift is driven by a desire for ethically sourced meat, a connection to ancestral practices, and a rejection of factory farming.
For many, the idea of a liberal hunter seems paradoxical. yet, a growing movement is embracing hunting not as a conservative tradition, but as a deeply personal and environmentally conscious choice. This trend comes as concerns about the environmental impact of meat consumption and the ethics of industrial agriculture intensify, and as more people seek greater control over their food sources. The practice offers a direct link to the origins of food, fostering gratitude and a sense of obligation often absent in modern grocery shopping.
Collins, an O’odham hunter, shared with me that his sister, a former vegan, now exclusively consumes meat harvested by him and their father. “She will only eat the meat my dad and I hunt as she knows we did it with a good heart and mind and that a ceremony was performed for the buck to send his spirit to rejoin his relatives,” he explained. For Collins, hunting isn’t simply about obtaining meat; it’s interwoven with gratitude, ceremony, and a lineage of sustainable practices. “foodways is about doing things on the land with people you love, for people you love,” he said.
This sentiment resonates with my own experience. I’ve significantly reduced my consumption of store-bought meat, opting rather for elk, venison, and summer sausage processed at home. Last fall,I harvested a young whitetail buck with Ben,and we butchered it in two hours under the Arizona sun,ensuring nothing went to waste - even providing leftovers for scavengers.
The resulting deer heart, marinated in soy, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, thyme, and vinegar, was grilled alongside seasonal vegetables and served with sourdough bread. Even my golden retriever, Billie, benefited from the process, enjoying the scraps. From forest to plate in under 48 hours, the experience underscored the profound connection between hunter, animal, and land. This isn’t about politics; it’s about a conscious choice to participate in a sustainable food system, rooted in respect and gratitude.
