Hunting magazine planned

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A Manitoulin Island entrepreneur will launch a magazine celebrating hunting as a way of life. The first issue will be out in November.

Wawashkesh Magazine has long been the dream of Manitoulin educator and outdoorsman Neil Debassige. He developed a passion for hunting through outings with his father, and for many years he has devoted himself to videotaping and photographing deer for family viewing.

"People love to look at pictures of deer; I always have a camera in the truck," he said. "I use a 35 mm camera with a zoom plus a digital camcorder."

Since Manitoulin Island is a mecca for hunters from all over North America, the magazine idea seemed to be a natural fit.

"Every year we have 6,000 hunters coming to the island," he said. "I'm asking people to send me pictures of successful deer hunts or great monster buck stories."

The tone of the publication will be celebratory, with themes such as "my son's first deer" and interesting hunting adventures.

Hunting is a "way of life," he said. In his view, "It is a means of bringing families together. Hunting helps to form family bonds because it is more than just putting meat on the table.

"It is the entire hunting experience that is important," he said. "You set up the tree stand together, you harvest the deer, you skin it and cut it up in cubes, you can it, and you eat it together. It is so gratifying."

"It is not a sport, but a way to practise the seven grandfathers," he added. "It is a way to promote respect for the environment and wildlife."

Some people hunt just to acquire trophies, Debassige acknowledged, but he takes a more spiritual approach. "I want to create an awareness about how beneficial hunting is in all aspects," he said.

"The teachings tell us that it is a spiritual event whenever there is birth or death."

"We have also been taught that you don't shoot anything you don't intend to eat. You don't shoot a deer just to watch it perish. You have to remember that the deer presented itself to you and you must use it to become stronger."

Wawashkesh will carry features on the history of hunting as well as articles on conservation issues, he said.