At the intersection of hunting and conservation, a man shares his
personal journey from staunch anti-hunter to compassionate, ethical
hunter, weaving together a larger history of humans, animals, the
environment, and our food systems.
Picture a hunter. Who comes to mind? Millionaire playboys or big truck
owning folks? Maybe so, but there's more to it. Because if you love
nature, value sustainability, abhor the pollution and inhumanity of
factory farms, you could be a hunter in the making. And if you've never
even considered hunting, The Shotgun Conservationist reveals all the
reasons you should. Brant MacDuff makes us rethink who hunts and why.
Growing up an animal lover with no hunting background, MacDuff himself
would seem an unlikely advocate. Yet a lifelong love of the outdoors and
a restless curiosity compelled him to investigate a simple question: is
hunting conservation? So convinced, he consistently holds a hunting
license in multiple states and gives lectures on the positive impact
hunting has on conservation efforts nationwide and around the world.
MacDuff tells the story of how he became a hunter and the colorful
characters, big personalities, and firsthand research that helped change
his mind. His journey led to a deeper understanding of how hunting
protects public lands, supports sustainable ecosystems, encourages
biodiversity, and can help bridge social and political divides. Along
the way, he introduces us to a new generation of hunters, different from
timeworn stereotypes and preconceptions. And who better than MacDuff? A
trans man living in Brooklyn, he defies expectations of who hunts and
invites people of all backgrounds into the field.
Whether or not you decide to take up hunting, The Shotgun
Conservationist provides a new perspective and appreciation for those
who do.
