”Yeah, I remember reading that. In the Shangri-la Gazette.”
”Right And you did see what fell through the ceiling the other day, didn’t you?”
Margo rubbed the back of her neck. “Yeah, well, I was thinking about that. What do you do if you come face to face with a wooly rhinoceros or something?”
”Look for the nearest tree,” Kit advised. “They’re mean-tempered brutes. It took a cooperative effort from multiple hunters to bring them down. As for the `or something,’ it depends on what it is. I have a feeling we should add biology and big-game hunting to your curriculum.”
She went a little green around the edges.
”Well, there’s nothing intrinsically horrible about it,” Kit pointed out. “It’s useful to know how to kill various species if you’re either starving to death or in danger of immediate dismemberment. And I’ve seen you eat meat, so I know you’re not a vegetarian. What do they teach in high school these days?”
”Uh, respect for other living creatures?”
Ann just rolled her eyes.
”Well,” Margo thrust her hands into her pockets, “I’m not a vegan or anything, and I like steaks and chicken and stuff and a neighbor gave us some venison once. I’ve just never had to hunt anything to get a meal. I know I grew up in Minnesota and all, but I’ve never even been fishing,” she admitted with a slow flush that made Kit wonder again what her upbringing had really been.
Kit nodded, pleased that she was finally able to admit she lacked knowledge or skills she needed. “That’s all right. Lots of city kids don’t. As for respecting animals, there isn’t a hunter alive that doesn’t respect hell out of major predators. And most hunters respect game animals, too. It’s a different mindset, maybe, from what you’re used to, but the respect is genuine. Now … if you plan on stepping through unexplored gates, you’d better know how to forage off the land. Not to mention knowing how to keep local four-footed critters from having you as a light snack between meals. So we’ll start you on hunting techniques to get you ready for your first attempt at catching your own food.”