ABSTRACT
Most hunters have a substantial store of personal stories and anecdotes to share with other hunters (or anyone else willing to listen). The accounts typically describe the hunt itself, emphasizing the reasons for its success or failure, and so play a key role in the dissemination of knowledge within the hunting fraternity. A stock character in hunting stories is the novice from the city who might mistake a tame peacock for a wild turkey or who shoots a cow and takes it to the game authorities to have it tagged as a bear. Another widespread story is of a farmer who paints “COW” in large letters on the sides of his herd, only to have one shot through the O. Hunters frequently relate hero legends of remarkable, adventurous hunters possessing great skill; other narratives tell of new hunters who manage a “lucky shot.”
