The Modern Hunter-Gatherer: A Practical Guide To Living Off The Land

Nester does a good job dispelling myths related to this subject that so proliferate in survival circles. Living in Alaska, I have fished with gill and dip net, run eighty miles worth of trapline, used setlines and fishwheels, hunted with rifle, pistol and bow, speared fish by the dozen, picked berries by the gallon, etc. While I have never been anything like a full time subsistence hunter like is found in areas of the Alaskan Bush, I have enough experience to find most of what is pushed in survival manuals to be utterly laughable at best. These ideas are allowed to propagate because they are never tested; with very rare exception, not even survival instructers will ever try to put up a years worth of protein with hooks, bullet and nets, let alone enough for immediate and extended family. People are universally shocked at exactly what that entails. So it was good to see Nester, with actual experience, really lay it on the line and challege these silly fantasies. While I will never willingly trade my connibears for hand carved deadfall's, and I disagree with the premise that small game offer a complete solution, ( at least in my enviroment) Nestor still does a uncommonly excellent job of explaining the essentials of subsistence hunting, trapping and fishing.

While others have argued that this is little more than a magazine, I argue that it is a guide overall guide to help you stay found in the wilderness, and to enable you to take care of yourself if you should become lost, or become a victim of some disaster that puts you on your own, or enables you to take care of others in a similar group situation.The author provides a valuable list of resources, both for learning wilderness skills on your own, and for sources of training to give you hands-on experience. He does an especially good job in showing several variations of deadfall traps, and other trapping techniques to help you stay nourished when out in the wilderness.Those who don't learn from this book are so expert they likely won't even read it, or too closed in their thinking that they will not learn because they can't get over how smart and experienced they are.

This is not a guide to living off the land as the title implies. This is a book that lists resources for the reader to go and find to live off the land. The book gives very little in the way actual survival information. It gives a few tips on collecting water, both passive and active and how to construct temporary shelters.As I mentioned the majority of the book just gives a resource on how to do something like tan a hide.

Feels incomplete. I wish this was more 8n depth

This should be the first book purchased by those who fantasize about the hunter/gatherer lifestyle.I really appreciate the reality of living off the land as the author presents it. He doesn't sugar coat things. He points out the difficulties involved and how to overcome them but neither does he portray it as an impossible dream. He lets you know what to expect and how to triumph over the obstacles you're most likely to encounter.It is not an encyclopedic work on living off the land. It's a starting point that will show you the basics. More importantly, it will guide you on where to go next in acquiring the tools, skills, and mindset for true wilderness living.Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely!

It is based upon survival in the SW USA, so if you live there, it's best. Lots of information on snares, but not very useful for other issues such as finding water, building shelter, and signaling. Takes about an hour to read it all and you're left unfulfilled. This should not be a first, or tenth, book on the subject.

An easy to read book, well written and comprehensive. Found this book to contain the info to become a very proficient Hunter-Gatherer. Has great pics throughout that accompany the different methods discussed. Tony has done a great job writing this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who is learning Bushcraft skills or spends time in the wilderness.

not too impressed with Mr Nester....as a whole the book was readable and had some good bushcraft/survival skills. Needed more illustrations and pictures.