Apocalyptic Prepping

A few years back, my brother got drawn to hunt buffalo on Antelope Island in the state of Utah. I was jealous. The Buffalo has held a charm for me that nothing else has. Growing up, there was a buffalo farm about a half mile from our house, but you couldn’t see through the fence, unless they were standing right by the narrow gate the farmer would use to bring them hay. This only added to the mystery of these creatures. My family took a vacation to Yellowstone growing up, and I remember being stopped by a herd of these who decided to lazily cross the road in front of us. They were massive. They seemed at the same time both supernatural and like they belonged all at once. I was pleased that the author here, Meat Eater’s Steven Rinella captured this wonder perfectly in his book, and its one I recommend.  

The Good

Rinella works to get inside the mind of the Buffalo, not just his present day quarry, but the Buffalo of the past and how his thinking has changed over time, and the evolution of the species. He is both practical and philosophical. He wears the hat of a hunter, a historian, an archeologist, and a conservationist. He tells the story of the native American, the trapper, the Buffalo hunters, and the story of the revitalization of the American bison. Rinella tells the story of how he drew a tag to hunt an Alaskan Buffalo and the challenges and adventures that went along with that. He’s a masterful story teller and I was captivated the entire time. Throughout his own personal tale, he tells the story of the buffalo, how they got there, and their history. It is very well done.

The Bad

I have no complaints from a historical stand point. My only complaint is about some of Steve’s choices while on his hunt. During the hunt he admits to trespassing. As a hunter, this really bothers me. I make great efforts to make sure I don’t trespass. It’s the kind of thing that gives hunters a bad name, and turns people away from it. I had been considering sharing this book with some of my city slicker friends who love history, but this part left me hesitant. I appreciate the author’s honesty, but this part had me concerned.

The Ugly

I would recommend this book to all who aren’t squeamish, with the caveat that most hunters are not trespassers, but are law abiding citizens. Rinella doesn’t mince words about how he killed a buffalo, removed its innards, and butchered it. It wasn’t overly gory, and is tastefully done, but its there, and its a reality of hunting. I have family members who are frightened of breaking down a whole (but cleaned, plucked, and gutted) chicken. If that grosses you out, this might gross you out. If you, like me, want to be prepared for an emergency though, it’s something you’ll want to get past, and I would recommend this book as a good first step into that.

The story of the Buffalo isn’t a sweet happy story. It’s a brutal, harsh, reality. This book tastefully and truthfully tells that story.

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A Review of Meat Eater Season 9 Part 2