Hunter gathering
Readers of The Field need little conversion to the delights of hedgerow, woodland and riverbank. But these staples of the rural landscape provide far more than vital habitat for game or an aesthetically pleasing backdrop to the day’s sport. Look just a little closer and each harbours a neglected cornucopia of edible treats, not to mention a natural source of the same vitamins, minerals and herbal remedies that your local health food store sells for princely sums.
Today’s lively revival of interest in foraging is no longer about basic survival but rather part of a wider backlash against the excessive packaging, food miles and dubious provenance of so much that sits on the supermarket shelf. Meanwhile, chefs such as Noma’s René Redzepi or, closer to home, the likes of Richard Corrigan and Nathan Outlaw have helped to ensure that wild food sparks just as much excitement among foodies as environmentalists. For those who choose to spend their precious leisure time fishing, stalking or shooting, the satisfaction of bagging your own food for the pot is no revelation. Throw in a little foraging expertise of the plant or fungal variety and
