The Library Journal gave Lonesome for Wilderness a hard to come by starred review in the June, 2024 issue.
Thank you all my advanced readers who took the time to read Lonesome for Wilderness and send me feedback. You are the best ... and some of the best trackers I know.
“This book is a unique combination of inspiration for nature connection, practical guide to outdoor safety and comfort, tracking and trailing guidebook, love letter to bears and cougars, and storybook of a wild life lived well. [The author] continues to break stereotypes about who belongs outdoors, and beautifully shows that we all can reach for a bit of wildness outside ourselves. If you aren't sure about the idea of spending a day in nature by yourself, Linda is the person to talk you through everything from how to go to the bathroom, how to make clear decisions, how tracks can guide you to animals, what to do if you meet a bear, and how to be safe as a solo woman hiker or biker. Her stories reflect a lifetime of exciting, practical, humorous, and humble lessons about living with wildness.”
–KIMBER NELSON, CyberTracker certified, Cascadia Wild Wolverine Tracking Project
“Someone brand new to the woods will find this an excellent primer, while more experienced folks will still very much enjoy identifying with [the author’s] journey and finding practical tips. The writing is lovely. The book is well-organized and has a logical flow, with an excellent mix of what it means to connect deeply with nature as a spiritual being combined with practical tips like what to put in your backpack.”
—DAVID BARBUR, author of the Tye Caine Wilderness Mysteries
“I really enjoyed reading this book. It inspired me. The author’s ability to capture the magic of what the natural world shares with us is breathtaking. I also think she has presented a powerful set of tools and achievable guidelines for all peoples to follow. Hunter has also masterfully shared some of life’s sacred teachings that nature gifts us: gratitude, humility, passion, love, presence, honesty, integrity, and a few more that are not close to my tongue right now.”
— TERRY KEM, CyberTracker Track and Sign Specialist; founder of Deerdance
“As a nature lover since childhood days, the message of Lonesome for Wilderness deeply resonated with me. A call to action when the hectic world threatens to overwhelm you … to find your way into the wilds. And the author supplies you with the tools and ways to build your confidence to do so. Well written, and easy to digest as the author shares her knowledge and experience through the art of storytelling. Highly recommended.”
—INDY QUILLEN, author of the Fox Walker Novels
“A wonderful how-to book to help nature lovers engage with the lives of birds and insects in backyards or parks, and bears and lions deep in the wild. Full of great tips and stories on the rewards of becoming a nature sleuth, quietly observant, tracking and interpreting scent marks, feeding signs, nest sites, and following trails that can lead to unforgettable encounters with wildlife.”
—JUDY MALONE, founder of Protect Our Bears Ontario
“How does one learn to be a tracker? If you are a woman, how can you stay safe in the wilderness while also enjoying all it has to offer? Don't believe the naysayers. Yes, you can have safe adventures and experience the amazing world of animal tracking. This book provides excellent advice from one of the top trackers in the world. Using Linda's techniques, you will soon be experiencing the joy of tracking animals that you may have previously feared. Knowledge is power. Once you understand these animals, you will learn to respect them and to be around them safely. Linda learned about bears and understands them enough to be safely in their presence. She knows what to watch for and how an animal might behave in an encounter with a human. You can learn this skill too, and have your own amazing adventures in the outdoors!...I loved the book. It was fantastic!”
—KIM A. CABRERA, Beartracker Nature Films; CyberTracker Track and Sign Specialist
“…Just read the chapter on trailing. I appreciate how the author has it spread around her experience, and balanced as an art. Not just following animals, not just following people. [She tells her] experience of following the stories and I like that. She includes pointers for learning without being a ‘how to’ book. I especially appreciate the last sentence of the chapter; deer do make our lives more interesting. I can't point to a better teacher for learning to track.”
—BRIAN MCCONNELL, trailing specialist, CyberTracker North America
Thank you all my advanced readers who took the time to read Lonesome for Wilderness and send me feedback. You are the best ... and some of the best trackers I know.
“This book is a unique combination of inspiration for nature connection, practical guide to outdoor safety and comfort, tracking and trailing guidebook, love letter to bears and cougars, and storybook of a wild life lived well. [The author] continues to break stereotypes about who belongs outdoors, and beautifully shows that we all can reach for a bit of wildness outside ourselves. If you aren't sure about the idea of spending a day in nature by yourself, Linda is the person to talk you through everything from how to go to the bathroom, how to make clear decisions, how tracks can guide you to animals, what to do if you meet a bear, and how to be safe as a solo woman hiker or biker. Her stories reflect a lifetime of exciting, practical, humorous, and humble lessons about living with wildness.”
–KIMBER NELSON, CyberTracker certified, Cascadia Wild Wolverine Tracking Project
“Someone brand new to the woods will find this an excellent primer, while more experienced folks will still very much enjoy identifying with [the author’s] journey and finding practical tips. The writing is lovely. The book is well-organized and has a logical flow, with an excellent mix of what it means to connect deeply with nature as a spiritual being combined with practical tips like what to put in your backpack.”
—DAVID BARBUR, author of the Tye Caine Wilderness Mysteries
“I really enjoyed reading this book. It inspired me. The author’s ability to capture the magic of what the natural world shares with us is breathtaking. I also think she has presented a powerful set of tools and achievable guidelines for all peoples to follow. Hunter has also masterfully shared some of life’s sacred teachings that nature gifts us: gratitude, humility, passion, love, presence, honesty, integrity, and a few more that are not close to my tongue right now.”
— TERRY KEM, CyberTracker Track and Sign Specialist; founder of Deerdance
“As a nature lover since childhood days, the message of Lonesome for Wilderness deeply resonated with me. A call to action when the hectic world threatens to overwhelm you … to find your way into the wilds. And the author supplies you with the tools and ways to build your confidence to do so. Well written, and easy to digest as the author shares her knowledge and experience through the art of storytelling. Highly recommended.”
—INDY QUILLEN, author of the Fox Walker Novels
“A wonderful how-to book to help nature lovers engage with the lives of birds and insects in backyards or parks, and bears and lions deep in the wild. Full of great tips and stories on the rewards of becoming a nature sleuth, quietly observant, tracking and interpreting scent marks, feeding signs, nest sites, and following trails that can lead to unforgettable encounters with wildlife.”
—JUDY MALONE, founder of Protect Our Bears Ontario
“How does one learn to be a tracker? If you are a woman, how can you stay safe in the wilderness while also enjoying all it has to offer? Don't believe the naysayers. Yes, you can have safe adventures and experience the amazing world of animal tracking. This book provides excellent advice from one of the top trackers in the world. Using Linda's techniques, you will soon be experiencing the joy of tracking animals that you may have previously feared. Knowledge is power. Once you understand these animals, you will learn to respect them and to be around them safely. Linda learned about bears and understands them enough to be safely in their presence. She knows what to watch for and how an animal might behave in an encounter with a human. You can learn this skill too, and have your own amazing adventures in the outdoors!...I loved the book. It was fantastic!”
—KIM A. CABRERA, Beartracker Nature Films; CyberTracker Track and Sign Specialist
“…Just read the chapter on trailing. I appreciate how the author has it spread around her experience, and balanced as an art. Not just following animals, not just following people. [She tells her] experience of following the stories and I like that. She includes pointers for learning without being a ‘how to’ book. I especially appreciate the last sentence of the chapter; deer do make our lives more interesting. I can't point to a better teacher for learning to track.”
—BRIAN MCCONNELL, trailing specialist, CyberTracker North America
"Are bears dangerous?" This was the question that started the quest for the author, which ended with her being a guide at a bear viewing lodge in Alaska for four summer seasons. Her first book, Lonesome for Bears, is the story of facing fears and diviing into learning about bears, including how to track them. The book describes a population of brown/grizzly and black bears who frequent a salmon stream in summer year after year. Bears, moose, wolves, eagles, foxes and every other Alaskan animal also live where the salmon thrive. The question that started the quest is answered, along with some startling new ways to think about all bears and their interactions and behaviors.
Her second book, Lonesome for Wilderness, was born out of a discovery that the real valuable things in life can be gained by being comfortable and engaged in the wild. The author dared to "step out alone" and find the natural world. After years in Search and Rescue and traveling the backcountry on her own, she wants to share a way of learning, enjoying and being comfortable in the wild.
Her second book, Lonesome for Wilderness, was born out of a discovery that the real valuable things in life can be gained by being comfortable and engaged in the wild. The author dared to "step out alone" and find the natural world. After years in Search and Rescue and traveling the backcountry on her own, she wants to share a way of learning, enjoying and being comfortable in the wild.
