Rest in Peace
It’s perfectly natural for one animal to kill another—the aphorism Eat or Be Eaten has defined a simple truth of life on Earth for at least a billion years. But in the human experience, somewhere along the way, things got messy—and thus killing often carries much more weight for us than it ever would on another animal's unburdened mind.
A short prayer, invocation, or elegy not only soothes a cramped conscience, but
also honors the animal and its sacrifice. It’s a thoughtful gesture that conveys a connection with the wild beast whose life you just ended, and a sense of gratitude for the nourishment it will provide you and your family. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just a few words and a splash of beer or whiskey on the ground will do. The point is to take a moment and acknowledge both the animal’s life and your taking of it. Here are a couple post-hunt panegyrics employed by members of the O/B crew; feel free to use them as inspiration for your own dirge or benediction.
Prayer
by Adam Brown
Dear beast of fur, fin, or feather,
It is with your allowance
That I partake in my primal hunger.
For that, I am grateful, and I am sorry.
I hope your pain was brief,
Your passing swift
And you have found peace.
As we sit here, eye to eye,
And your muscle and marrow
will become my strength,
Your spirit, my guide—
We are one.
Without form, your spirit is free.
Go now, unconfined.
Wild forever you will be
As I wait my own turn.
Poem
by Mike Englad
Child of the endless plain
Born of sun and sky
Shaped by an immortal hand
Watched by the eternal eye
With the wind thou came to be
And with the wind you’ll go
Your spirit now inside of one
Who is more friend than foe
Child of the endless plain
Kin to grass and sage
Inside the prairie’s beating heart
Until the end of days
Honoring the Animal
by Daniella Beckwith
When the adrenaline and excitement of a successful hunt begin to fade, there is often a quiet moment of sadness or recognition of the life that was taken. I wasn’t always sure how to process that feeling, but over time I’ve drawn inspiration from cultures who relied heavily on hunting for survival. I appreciate the practice of the “last meal”—placing a small offering of grass, leaves, or a twig in the animal’s mouth. Many indigenous traditions emphasize honoring the animal by avoiding unnecessary waste, so I strive to follow that same principal of respect by using as much of the animal as possible. In the past I’ve donated hides, used tallow to make candles, and saved scrap meat for dog food. Across many cultures, consuming the heart is considered a rite of passage or way of honoring the animal’s spirit, strength, and lifeforce. So, before I treat myself to any backstrap, I always prepare a meal from the heart, which brings a sense of finality to the animal’s life, while also symbolizing the beginning of many more meals to come.
Got a prayer, poem, or other tribute of your own? Send it to [email protected] and we'll share it with our readers.
