Book Review
“Hunting Distant Places” by Daryl Crimp published by Bateman Books. Price $39.99. Reviewed by Tony Orman
Daryl Crimp is well known in fishing and hunting circles for his countless articles on sea fishing and in his earlier days as editor of the Nelson-based “The Fishing Paper and Hunting News”. He is multi-talented – a writer, restauranteur, radio host on a Nelson station, cartoonist and by his own admission “a born storyteller.”
Popularly known as “Crimpy”, he has spent quite a few decades hunting which has taken him not only hunting red deer, whitetail deer, tahr, chamois and a few other big game animals in New Zealand but to far flung places such as Hungary, Austria, England, Africa, Sweden and New Caledonia and a few others to boot in pursuit of roebuck, moose, chital deer, African plains big game and others.
“The born story teller” spins some entertaining yarns and introduces his son Daniel tutoring him from apprentice to full fledged, skilled hunter.
Unfortunately for me as a reader – and my opinion may not be shared by other readers – there’s use of “f- bomb” words in recalled or imagined dialogue during hunts.
I know we can all swear at times some profusely to very occasionally and to nil. On the other hand, many of the top hunters I’ve known in my lifetime such as John B Henderson, Max and Ross Curtis, Philip Holden, Bill Axbey and a few other notables hardly ever swore, if at all.
Enough said on that.
The author writes with skill and often with personal humour and self mockery. Sprinkled within tales is sage advice.
The author says “Hunting distant Places” is unashamedly in defense (sic) of hunting-I recount what it means to be a genuine hunter-it carries with it a weight of responsibility. Hunting is more than the kill- to be a hunter is to understand and respect your quarry, maintain good stewardship, be a conservationist, develop strong ethics and hunt responsibly and humanely.”
The excitement of the chase is captured as is the irresistible fondness and urge to head for the hills, an affliction for any seasoned hunter. Two sections of very good colour photos enhance the book.
No place for potty mouthed language for me thank you.