256 pages (approx.), 9 x 9 inches, 160 color photographs, introduction, appendix
EBOOK 978-1-60473-927-5
ISBN 978-1-60473-926-8
Panther Tract
Wild Boar Hunting in the Mississippi Delta
Hunting wild boar is a keenly held tradition in
the Mississippi Delta. Fraught with danger, it
challenges the hunter, observer, wildlife enthusiast, and landowner alike. Panther Tract is an
insider’s observance of extraordinary hunting,
southern hospitality, camaraderie, and the love
of dogs, horses, and hair-raising excitement.
The 160 photographs are representative of a
“day at the hunt,” starting at dawn and ending
well after dark. The tales center on vivid hunting experiences, both at Panther Tract, a large
wilderness paradise in Yazoo County, owned by
legendary southern gentleman Howard Brent,
and in other locations in the Mississippi Delta.
The narratives come from men, women, doctors, lawyers, judges, businessmen, politicians,
farmers, sharecroppers’ sons, and even a Hollywood screenwriter.
Melody Golding’s photographs focus on the
Delta landscape and on the people and animals
involved in the hunt. Portraits of the hunters,
and their interactions with one another and
their dogs and horses, fascinate. An award-winning photographer and an expert horsewoman,
Golding brings a knowledgeable and critical eye
to these images. The stories she collects range
from traditional, often humorous hunting tales
to more serious accounts of the history of hog
hunting in America. Hank Burdine, a Mississippi native and hunter who has written for
many statewide publications, lends a broad
vision to the history, statistics, and lore of
hunting wild hogs. An appendix features hunt
recipes by Chef John Folse and philosophy on
the stewardship of harvesting the hog. A colorful and diverse assemblage of beautiful photographs and tales, this book reveals a treasured
regional tradition.
Reviews
"Every once in a while a book comes out that is so far out of the mainstream, and so perfectly beautiful that it makes you just stop and marvel at how deeply the outdoors and the experience and tradition of hunting runs in our culture." Full Review
— Hal Herring, Field & Stream.com
