Domesticated animals aren’t the only types of animals that provide sustenance to humans. The human species has been hunting wild animals for over 1 million years for food, but also for materials for clothing, and even for tools! Humans also fish in waterways, lakes, ponds, and oceans. Our archival collection is filled with photographs of people fishing and hunting in and around Oxford County. We also have a “Wild Life Cook Book” in our collection that includes recipes for the hunted game that we are familiar with currently, such as deer, rabbit, partridge, duck, etc., along with game animals that many of us no longer consume in North American culture, like muskrat or squirrel. Along with providing food for people, hunting and fishing have also become a hobby and sport, with people taking part in derbies and other competitions.

Featured below are a few of the hunting and fishing-related archival records from the Oxford County Archives’ collection and some recipes from the “Wild Life Cook Book”.