Course at a Glance
- Responsibilities of the Hunter
- The Genesis of Hunting: Prehistory to Today
- The History of Hunting in the United States
- How to Defend and Preserve our Right to Hunt
Meet the Instructor Back to top
James A. Swan, Ph.D.
Author, Journalist, Documentary Writer & Producer, Media Personality, Hollywood Actor
Dr. James Swan received his Bachelor of Science in Conservation Education, a Master of Science in Resources Planning, and a doctorate in a combined program between Natural Resources and Psychology in 1969, and developed skills in broadcast journalism at the University of Michigan TV Center, where he wrote and hosted two documentaries.
He is the author of seven books about the nature and the instinctive hunting spirit of man published worldwide, including In Defense of Hunting, and The Sacred Art of Hunting.
As the “Media Watch” columnist for North American Hunter, Swan is the only film and television critic in outdoor journalism in the United States. He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has appeared in a number of feature films and television. See his full bio Here.
Swan enjoys many outdoor sports and has appeared on several outdoor TV shows, most recently “The World of Beretta.” He serves as the contributing editor for ESPNOutdoors.com., has been a writer for the Outdoor TV show “Bushnell’s Secrets of the Wild,” and currently is the writer for “Engel’s Outdoor Experience,” which won a Golden Moose award in 2002. In 2003 he wrote and hosted “Sports Afield TV.”
About This Course Back to top
At the core of this course is the question “Why do we hunt?”,
Why does modern man with easy access to grocery stores filled with packaged meat of every variety, still crave the hunt? What is the primal instinct that drives us? Why do we choose this path when constantly confronted with anti-hunting sentiments? What of man the hunter? Do we have a responsibility to preserve our wild nature?
… OAU absolutely believes this to be true. The flame that drove us to hunt for century upon century still burns within us — that passion for the hunt.
Your heart skips a beat when you hear a flock of geese approaching… excitement fills you when ducks descend from a cold December mist… adrenaline soars when you lock onto a massive mule deer.
Hunting is the spiritual and physical linkage we have to our past. By enrolling in this course you will have an understanding and an appreciation of the desire to hunt.
The Essential Hunt will explore the link between our ancient hunter ancestors and today’s hunting enthusiast; conservation and its value in modern day society; the defense of hunting socially, politically, and legally, and the responsibilities of the hunter to preserve, protect, and pass on the right to hunt.
This desire to hunt begins long before the hunter enters the woods, gun in hand. It builds during the time of preparation and planning and culminates in the hunt itself.
For avid hunters, that desire to hunt is deep, almost inexplicable. Come Whitetail Deer season — or elk, duck or pheasant — whatever the desired species, most hunters would rather be freezing in a blind, scouting a magnificent beast, or positioning themselves for the perfect shot than contemplating the perplexing question, “Why do I hunt?”
However, in order to defend and preserve the hunt, we must first discover “why.” And only after discovering “why” can we look honestly at “how” in terms of our hunting practices and legislation, and guarantee our right to hunt for future generations. We are stewards of the hunt.
Sadly, today hunters themselves are an endangered species and as with any endangered species we must ask ourselves what effect our extinction could have on the natural world. What unforeseen chain of events might be set into motion when the last hunter fires the final shot?
The foundation of The Essential Hunt, and of every Outdoor Adventure University course, is the VISION to promote, preserve, protect, and pass on the cultural heritage and skills of outdoor adventure for future generations.
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to describe:
- Why Man hunts
- How our development has been influenced by hunting
- The genesis of hunting – from prehistoric times to the classical age
- How hunting in England has influenced hunting in America
- The history of hunting in the United States
- How we should defend our right to hunt
- Our responsibilities as hunters
- Why we need to protect and preserve the hunt for future generations
Course Outline Back to top
The Essential Hunt Outline
Module 1: Introduction
1.0 Getting started
1.1 Welcome
1.2 Course objectives
1.3 Passion for the Hunt
2.0 The Genetics of the Hunt
2.1 Origins of our hunting nature
2.2 Our hunting nature today
2.3 Think about it…
Module 2: The Nature of Man
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Think about it
2.0 The Sacred Game
2.1 True hunters
2.2 Yearning to hunt and fish
2.3 Think about it
3.0 Man the hunter
3.1 Father of human ecology: Dr. Paul Shepard
3.2 Dr. Shepard’s Theories
3.3 Think about it
4.0 The Hunter / Gatherer Genome
4.1 Modern humans and the hunt
4.2 DNA evidence
4.3 Think about it
5.0 Quiz and Summary
5.1 Quiz questions
5.2 Key Points
Module 3: Genesis of the Hunt
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Think about it
2.0 Late Pleistocene Period
2.1 The Bering Bridge
2.2 Hunters of Beringia
2.3 The receding glaciers
2.4 Ancestral roots
2.5 Think about it
3.0 Growth of Civilization and the Hunt
3.1 Neolithic Period 9500-3300
3.2 From survival to sport
3.3 Horses and the hunt
3.4 chariots and the hunt
3.5 Falconry
3.6 Think about it
4.0 Hunting in the Classical World
4.1 Artemis: Goddess of the Hunt
4.2 Ancient hunting dogs
4.3 Romans and the Hunt
4.4 Roman law
4.5 Think about it
5.0 Quiz and summary
5.1 Quiz questions
5.2 Key Points
Module 4: Sport of the Aristocracy
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Think about it
2.0 Early forest law
2.1 English common law
2.2 King Canute
2.3 Ine, King of Wessex
2.4 Think about it
3.0 William the Conqueror
3.1 Royal Forest Law
3.2 Offenses in Forest Law
3.3 Right and Privileges
3.4 Think about it
4.0 The Magna Carta and Beyond
4.1 English Barons Revolt
4.2 The Forest Charter
4.3 Richard II
4.4 Outlawing of Fox Hunting
4.5 Think about it
5.0 Quiz and summary
5.1 Quiz questions
5.2 Key Points
Module 5: Democratization of the Hunt
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Think about it
2.0 The first 4000 years
2.1 The earliest settlers
2.2 John Locke
2.3 King Charles II and the Land Grant of 1664
2.4 Martin vs. Waddell, 1842
2.5 Period of Destruction
2.6 Think about it
3.0 Protecting Our Inheritance
3.1 Wildlife Conservation
3.2 American Conservation Luminaries
3.3 The Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937
3.4 Think about it
4.0 Quiz and summary
4.1 Quiz questions
4.2 Key Points
Module 6: Our Defense
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Think about it
2.0 Our 2nd Amendment Rights
2.1 What does the 2nd Amendment say?
2.2 Background
2.3 Conflict and Compromise
2.4 Judicial Interpretation
2.5 Think about it
3.0 Protecting Game and Habitat
3.1 Conservation in North America
3.2 Conservation Around the World
3.3 Think about it
4.0 Quiz and summary
4.1 Quiz questions
4.2 Key Points
Module 7: Our Responsibilities
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Think about it
2.0 Ethics and Stewardship
2.1 Learning From the Past
2.2 Honor the Gift
2.3 Respect the Trophy
2.4 Enjoy the Bounty
2.5 Share the Bounty
2.6 Think About It
3.0 Passing it on
3.1 Teaching Our Children
3.2 Teaching Our Neighbors
3.3 Volunteer Opportunities
4.0 Quiz and summary
4.1 Quiz questions
4.2 Key Points
Module 8: Summary
1.0 Review and Next steps
1.1 Stewardship of the Hunt
1.2 Action items
Related Courses Back to top
Why Choose Outdoor Adventure University? Back to top
Through an innovative distance learning approach to outdoor education, Outdoor Adventure University is the first to bring together renowned field experts and sportsmen, industry leaders, respected outdoor educators, prolific outdoor life authors, and outdoor media personalities to create this ground-breaking curriculum of the highest academic standard.
OAU will help you grow personally as a sportsman, and professionally for those who work in the outdoor recreation industry.
- Learn life-saving wilderness survival, orienteering, and wilderness first aid skills
- Be more effective in hunting or fishing a specific species
- Better understand the history and management of wildlife
- Be a confident sportsmen
- Understand ecology and environmental issues in relation to outdoor recreation
- Get secret insider tips from industry leaders
- Get sneak previews and expert instruction on all the latest and greatest in gadgets, electronics, gear, and equipment
- Be trained in game preparation and outdoor/wilderness cooking
- Become skilled at outdoor photography, video production, and film editing
Affordable Outdoor Adventure Education for Anyone, Anywhere, and at Any Time
20% off when you order by March 31st.
Sportsmen are saying
I want every hunter visiting 777 Ranch to have the best experience possible. That's why we are teaming up with Outdoor Adventure University... offering our guests a totally unique adventure education vacation. Plus our careful management operation for Whitetail Deer virtually assures sightings -- and harvest opportunities -- of trophy class buck during your stay.
- Jeff Rann, Owner of the 777 Ranch
OAU delivers a first-class distance learning curriculum. Every interactive lesson is of the highest academic standard and taught by recognized experts in each discipline. I'm delighted to finally see affordable professional outdoor education available for sportsmen of all levels.
- Dr. Ronald S. Godwin, Vice Chancellor, Liberty University
This unique recreation education program is long overdue in the outdoor sector and is extremely valuable in helping to establish industry standards for professionalism and ethics; essential to preserving our cultural heritage for generations to come.
- Steve Rann, Executive Director, U.S. Outdoor Council
This is the kind of program that will benefit retailers and suppliers because it provides a wealth of information to vendors, employees, and consumers alike. OAU delivers substance and helps build a strong foundation for anyone working in outdoor-related activities
- John Smithbaker, President and CEO, North American Gear
20% off when you order by March 31st.
