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From Field & Forest:
Reflections on the "Way of the Hunt"
"If you just want to kill a deer then the MNR Hunter Ed course will teach you all you need to know. If you are willing to let the hunt be a lens that will really show you the deer, the land, and yourself then you have to take this course because I don't know any other place to direct you that could do it as well. Be warned that once these three things are connected (the deer, land, and yourself) you will be changed forever and change is rarely easy."
"There are many out there that view hunting with distain because of the poor acts of a few. Through these courses maybe we can turn that around and show hunting as the positive activity that it can be."
"Favourite part? Seeing deer and turkey on our morning off and the group talk/sharing circle."
"It was a powerful and ESSENTIAL part of my hunting path."
"I enjoyed the most having a eight point casually coming within 20 yards of me. The last thing I was thinking of was shooting such a beautiful creature. Sharing that little patch of forest with that buck changed my perspective of hunting. I feel driven to spend more time learning about scouting so I can find similar places in my area of the woods. I want to get to know the sacred animals in my area and form a deep personal relationship with those animals. "
"In the future I plan to do longer sit spots and more bow shooting in anticipation of hunting season. I also plan to harvest smaller game until I feel ready and committed to hunt larger animals. In the spirit of preparation I plan to spend time with tracking clubs in my area to gather more experience and live the patterns of the animals. "
"Dirt time! I intend to spend time each day tracking to put together a larger picture of day to day schedule of animals in the ecosystem that I live as well as seasonal habits. I have come to realize that I am not ready to take the life of a large animal. I want to get as close to them as I can, I want to continue to connect with deer energy and learn to think like the deer. I feel drawn to get to know the deer. I also learned this year how essential pre and post season scouting is to meeting my goal of becoming a a deer, figuratively. I dream of finding antlers of the "grand daddy" bucks. "
"The teachers, students and volunteers actively work as a family to maintain a thoughtful and enjoyable atmosphere to the hunt. I walked in to the class looking for a hunt camp, I not only found what I was looking for but much more. The bonding that took place amongst the men in that class in unbreakable. We built a foundation of love that frames the act of hunting in a very gentle and sacred way. If you have an interest in learning to bow hunt this is one strong path to take."
"To all that have an interest in nature connection I want to convey the depth of conscience and awareness in Sticks and Stones way of the hunt class. This course like all others that Skeet Sutherland offers are presented with thoughtfulness and compassion. Even for those not interested in hunting this course offers a deep loving connection with Earth mother and all of the sacred animal teachers. Bring a camera with a good zoom lens, you won't regret it."
~Students of Sticks & Stones Wilderness School's program:
Way of the Hunt
November 2012
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Following Stories in the Snow with the Tracking Club
A light snow and stiff North wind marked the morning as we headed out for this month's Tracking Club meeting. Four brave souls, including little 22 month old Cuinn, climbed the hills of Kimbercote in search of tracks in the snow.
Winter seems to have finally arrived here in the Beaver Valley and with it comes that white blanket that makes our job so much easier. Rabbits, squirrels, mice, deer, and many others leave their marks clearly in the snow and give us the opportunity to really study gaits.
We covered the majority of the 100 acre property and spent some time on the Bruce Trail. The highlight had to be the tracks of a large deer moving just ahead of us in our wanderings. Maybe next time we'll get to see it make those tracks and I hope you'll join us in the search!
~Garrin Carter
2012 Apprentice
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You can't fool a bird....
They'll let you know if you are disturbing them.
Birds respond to the way you carry yourself in the world; their lives depend onit. Learn from the birds in your backyard how to find peace and presence - they'll let you know if you are on the right track.What if you could go on a walk in your backyard with an expert who understands the language of the birds? What if that expert could help you understand what the birds are saying about you and your backyard? Join bird language expert, Jon Young, author of What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World, on a backyard bird language adventure.In these free videos, Jon visits with a neighbor and shares some hard-won secrets of understanding bird language.Check the free videos here:Check out these free video's and get a taste for what the online course will bring to your bird language skill set. -- Brought to you by the 8 Shields Community -------------------------------------------------------- Courteous of
Sticks and Stones Wilderness School
Preserving the Ways of the Wild
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Headwaters Community Update
Headwaters Gathering 2013
***Important: CHANGE OF DATE
to May 16-17-18-19, 2013***
A reminder that the Beaver-Valley & Blue Mountains
Tracking Club (formerly known as the Headwaters Tracking Club)
is gearing up for fall. We meet once a month on Sundays to go tracking in the morning and work skills in the afternoon at the
Next meeting:
Sun. December 9th 2012 from 10am until 2pm .
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Forager's Corner
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
What is edible and inviting at this chilly time of year? Why, a steaming cup of Eastern hemlock tea! Chock full of good stuff, the needles of our native hemlock can provide us with much needed vitamin C during the dark month of December.
What it looks like:
Eastern hemlock looks like it belongs in a fantastical forest, deep and dark. These trees tolerate full shade, have a naturally open growth habit, and "drooping" branches with flat needles that are deep green above and lightened by 2 white "stripes" below. More detailed ID info is available the following websites: USDA Plant Guide &
How to use it: As with all edible coniferous tree needles, make sure to boil the water first, remove water from heat, and then add needles to steep. Use approximately 1 tsp per cup. As you might expect, young and fresh needles make for a more flavourful tea.
Where to find it:
These trees enjoy moist but well drained areas and are the most shade tolerant of all our coniferous species. You can find them in mixed forest stands in the company of sugar maples, white ash, yellow birch, red oak, American beech, and white pine.
Whether you stumble upon a feathery sapling or a venerable 450 year old specimen, I promise you won't be disappointed by the magic of this tree...
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