Death is inevitable for all life. For most of human history, this balance of life and death was acknowledged and was at the heart of everyday life. However, thanks to modern conveniences, fear, and our lost connection with the Earth and it’s natural cycles, many of us have lost our connection to death, and in turn, life as well.

So how do we return to the natural cycles of life? How do we honor the life and death of an animal? How do we get intimate with our food and death/

In this class we will discuss these questions and also learn the skills of skinning, butchering, and processing, and also teach on how to use all of the animal gifts through bone tools, tanning hides, sinew crafts, and more.

Each student will leave with hands on experience in processing multiple animals (skinning, fleshing, and storing hides) that will give them the confidence to process their own animals from hunting and or road kills.

Topics covered:

• Picking up Roadkill (legalities, ethics, dangers)

• Skinning Animals for future

• Butchering

• Fat Rendering

• Long term storage of meat, organs, fat, and skin

• Ceremony and Reverence

• Hide processing for future tanning

• Knife Sharpening

• Bone cleaning

• Sinew acquisition

• Uses for all of the animal

Logistics:

Location: Barnardsville NC (about 30 minutes North of Asheville) The exact class location will be emailed to you after tickets are purchased

Hours: Students are welcome to arrive on Friday, April 5th at 3pm. We will promptly start class at 5pm. Class will be done by 4pm on Sunday afternooon.

Camping: Students are welcome to camp at our 20 acre site for Friday and Saturday night. Students are responsible for their own camping gear. If you do not wish to camp, there are several rentals and hotels in both Barnardsville and Weaverville.

On site accomodations: Refrigeration and a propane burner kitchen will be provided for students. No showers will be provided.

Food: Students are responsible for their own food for this class but there will be some sharing of wild meats for students to supplement their own food with.

Tuition: A ticket costs $400 which includes on site camping. Ages 14+ are welcome.

Please bring: camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, cutlery rain gear etc), water, journal, knives and tools for processing.

What not to bring: Please leave your firearms, alcohol, drugs, and dogs at home.

Questions or Concerns? Email Luke at HolisticSurvivalSchool@gmail.com