American Hunter

In the early days of the colonies, hunting brought pioneers close to nature, indeed, becoming part of nature for periods of time in a way that uniquely defined the American experience. They were rugged individuals, they had to be. They were used to the environment. They're used to being cold, they're used to being hot. They were used to making do with what they had, sleeping on the ground. And I think they were very close to nature and very attached to nature.

Found nowhere else on the planet, American hunting has forged a unique relationship between the nation's people and the land on which they live and share with its wildlife. Indeed American hunters were the first conservationists. The purpose of hunting has evolved since the nation's founding. But the spiritual connection to nature and the cycles of life which it provides are still guiding people today.

On the brink of America becoming a very different place than we enjoy today, a brave group of hunters found a way to change history. In order to understand the sea change in the American experience, you first have to know something about, what many consider to be, the nation's most remarkable president, Teddy Roosevelt. As president, he was uniquely qualified to lead the nation into the 20th century, and uniquely talented to inaugurate a new model of the American presidency in a complex and rapidly changing global world.

The 20th century history of American hunting has much to teach us about how an ethical engagement with wildlife through hunting can be good not only for land conservation but also for our deepest sense of who we are.

That we are predators means that we do, indeed must, meditate on the implications of our predation. This is what distinguishes us from other non human predators. As hunters, we human predators have both a capacity and the responsibility to reflect upon the impact of our actions, our very existence and the meaning of death.