This short but sweet book, intertwining queer Black Indigenous memoir and nature writing with a manifesto on bringing people of colour from the cities into the outdoors made me want to close the book, find the nearest hunter and ask to be introduced to the art of conscious hunting. Opening Hunting, we are asked to imagine a hunter. Whether we fit the image of who it is we saw as a hunter. 

Dr Brandon Dale, a medical doctor and hunter, introduces us to the hunting practices of his ancestors and to the role of hunting in a world already out of balance. In keeping alive Indigenous hunting practices, Dale sees a return to food sovereignty and a greater connection to the outdoors. Critical as it might be, Dale is adamant that the hunter can be a conservationist, and sheds light on some practices including financing conservation efforts through hunting licenses. 

Of course, these practices are specific to the so-called US, as are the species and hunting seasons in this book, but that does not take away from the joy of reading it. Rather, it feels like a field trip into multiple states and seasons. 

Many questions remained, mostly due to the short nature of this book and I left wanting to know more about the context that surrounds me in France as well. Who knows, I might ask the next hunter I see what season we are in, from that point of view. 

Thank you to Timber Press and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy of the audiobook in return for an honest review.