Pheasant-hunting: is this age-old ritual also a means of caring for the land?

For Bjorn van der Veen and his fellow hunters, roaming the fog-covered fields of rural Holland in search of pheasants is both a deeply meaningful tradition and crucial act of environmental conservation. Bjorn describes the practice as one of serious stewardship of the land, in stark contrast with the industrial farming and meat production that provides most of the country’s food. In We Hunt, Bjorn reflects on the life of a hunter: the small victories, the moments of triumph and regret. For him, the hunt is an escape from the disputes and status distinctions that define daily life, and a time when real human bonds can be formed.