I need Zuckerberg type cash. I love his ambition to find something to ease the boredom of wiping his a$$ with hundred dollar bills. I gotta respect this though. Having the guts to kill his own food, something most people wouldn't do. Us Americans like everything neat, clean and cellophane wrapped from the supermarket.

Yes. It is the tendency of some to think about it, feel bad and then say no they wouldn't, and then never do it, because we fear fear itself, the trepidation of an unpleasant act. But I think I would do it, feel bad and then proceed to eat it and do it again. I can't even step on an ant if it wasn't bugging me, although I can swat a fly that's all up in my business. Some vegetarians say "you feel bad about killing animals, that means you know that it's wrong!" but to that I say that the arbitrary emotions that humans exhibit are not always reasonable and while they might be a reason for one not to do something, it doesn't follow that if one didn't feels those things then it would still be something they shouldn't do. I'm glad that Mark has found something that he is comfortable and happy with. I suspect it is a very healthy thing for him.

I firmly believe that everyone killing the food they eat is not the most sustainable method of food production. The problem with separating ourselves from our food isn't about the morality of killing, it's about being blind to what is going on. If you can get your meat from a local farm that can produce it much more effectively, using more integrated systems with other aspects of agriculture, instead of having to raise and kill your own game, then you should. If everyone lived a completely DIY life, we would get nowhere. Specialization is a good thing for the sustainability of our race.

Sadly, I have to work for a living, but I love to hunt, and if I could do it full time, I'd ditch my current gig in a heartbeat. The killing isn't fun, but everything leading up to it is wonderful, even when you're freezing your ass off up in a treestand, and the end result is delicious.

So yes, I can, and I already do, every chance I get. You should give it a shot. Fishing's pretty easy and the gear is really affordable...

I respect anyone who takes full responsibility for the food that they eat. I don't care what anyone says, taking an animal from farm to table creates an honest connection with food (i.e. animals and plants that had to die) that is lacking in our modern existence. Putting a package of chicken in your grocery cart isn't even in the same universe.

With that said, is it reasonable to expect this from everybody? I don't think so. Is it necessary to produce ALL of your food? Nope. If it is even going hunting once, planting a garden, having a few laying hens, whatever, some connection to our food, even if it is simply knowing the person who grew/raised your food, can only lead you towards a more honest, connected place when it comes to food.

Good idea, but a little disappointed that he didn't butcher it himself. Have never done this, but very interested in giving a go at hunting and butchering an animal.

No. I like meat, it's tasty, but I don't need to kill my own to appreciate it. It's just not feasible for me to do this. Or I don't want to. I don't know. I don't have much free time as it is and hunting is expensive and time consuming, at least for the people I know that hunt. I'd rather have shoes and buy my meat.

eta, I hope that didn't come out bitchy. I'm crabby. My favorite cardio is shopping. I love to camp, but know I am not a hunting type of girl. I have no issues with it and would gladly support a friend that loves to hunt and bring me tasty food. I just know it's not for me. If it was based on survival, well then HELL YEAH, I would kill my meat rather than eating plants.

If I could, I would. I have butchered and eaten my kills, and there is a satisfaction in knowing how the beast lived and died.

It's a matter of perspective really. For me, the animal ceases to be an animal once it's stopped breathing, and begins the journey to "groceries". While it is an animal, it is beautiful and natural, and when it becomes groceries, it is sustaining so that the imbiber can be beautiful and natural.

I raise, kill, and process at least 70% of the meat we consume in our family. We feel that it insures the quality of our meat.

Before I went Paleo, I was vegetarian and, for the last six months of my vegetarianism, always said that I would stay vegetarian until I was able to kill, clean, and cook animals on my own. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) my body did not have patience, and my health quickly declined to the point where I had to ditch the grains for meat. Nonetheless, I have promised myself that I will eventually make up for going against my word when the opportunity arises. I feel there is something very spiritual about killing one's food and I fully expect it to be an enriching experience.

As for killing all of the meat I eat? Like others have said, I do not know if that is feasible for most budget-limited individuals who partake in non-farm-related careers. Even in a predominately urban/suburbanized society, though, there are plenty of farms within reach to pursue a slaughter at least once.

Kudos to Mark.