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TIMBER TO TABLE GUIDE SERVICE
FOOD IS THE FOCUS Words by Hannah Odneal | Photos by Andy Bowen
A
na Kampe and Adam Gall fell in love as
don’t we try that?’” Kampe says. “There are plenty
they worked together on a wolf recovery
of outfitters, but none of them are capitalizing
project with the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho in 2004.
on the food processing and education part like
Kampe, a native of Half Moon Bay, California,
we are.”
earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resource
management and was working on her master’s
wouldn’t consider myself a trophy hunter by any
degree in sustainable farming and food systems
stretch. I’m a meat hunter just trying to fill my
at the at the time.
freezer,” Gall says. “I think there are more and
“I love antlers as much as anybody, but I
“I grew up collecting mussels and clams at
more people starting to see it that way. The fastest
low tide, so having a connection to the earth
growing demographic in hunting is women, and
and its cycles was instilled at a very young age,”
the new hunters are more interested in what
Kampe says. “Food has always been very central
they can do with this wonderful bounty they’ve
to my interests.”
just been graced with.”
Gall was introduced to enjoyment of the
“It’s not just head into the woods and start
outdoors while hunting, fishing and camping on
shootin’ like some people think,” Gall says. “The
an 80-acre swamp in Michigan with his childhood
animals that are being harvested are actually
best friend, guided by the friend’s father. Then,
surplus animals. Every habitat has its capacity. It’s highly regulated by well-informed and
Thoughtful preparation of healthy meals utilizing your harvest is the best show of gratitude for the life sacrificed.
educated biologists who are looking out for the benefit of the wildlife resource as a whole, for the long term. That’s why there are licenses, units and season dates — all for the benefit of
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through firefighting, forestry and wildlife work in
the animal.”
Idaho, Adam’s passion for the outdoors multiplied.
“Now I had thousands and thousands of acres to
legal side of hunting, which can be tough to
roam and never trespass — it was an epiphany
understand. Though their business is called
moment for sure,” Gall says. “I love being on public
Timber to Table Guide Service, Gall offers much
lands. To me, it’s like the pinnacle of freedom!”
help ahead of the “timber” part of the process.
Gall helps first-time hunters navigate the
When opportunity arose for the couple
He will assist in weapon and gear selection
later that year in Hotchkiss, Colorado, they went
and advises repetitious target practice, mindful
together to make it home. Ana was able to actually
of effective range, so the hunter can make an
implement programs connecting communities
ethical shot.
with the sources of their food, and Adam put his
bachelor’s in science and master’s in education to
says Andrew Mays, who went on his first big
work, teaching at the local high school.
game hunt with them in the late season of 2019.
“We were together for ten years before this
“You can feel their dedication to new hunters
idea came to us, and with Adam’s dedication
and preservation of the hunting heritage from
to hunting, outdoors and public lands, and my
the moment you step on their property. They are
dedication to food and health, we thought, ‘why
not looking for repeat customers but are truly
“Adam and Ana were incredible teachers,”