Photo courtesy of Jay Marshall
CEREMONIAL HUNTER JAY MARSHALL WITH AN ELK BUCK HE CAUGHT IN PACKWOOD LAST YEAR. Last December he caught another Elk, which will be used to feed Puyallup Tribal Elders through the Elders Center. The Wildlife Program is seeking additional ceremonial hunters to collect meat for elders and ceremonial purposes.
Nineteen-year-old Jay Marshall recently answered the call to help feed Puyallup Tribal members in need.
Following the quarterly membership meeting in September, Jay Marshall, along with several other tribal members, wanted to lend their hunting skills and abilities in order to ensure elders and the bereaved could eat ceremonial meats.
At the meeting, the representatives from the Wildlife Program expressed the need for volunteer ceremonial hunters to catch large game, such as elk, for the Tribe’s ceremonial stock, which provides food for tribal members in events such as funerals. Meat is also provided to elders through meal programming at the Elders Center.
Recently, Jay Marshall caught a large female elk, which he provided to the Wildlife Program.
“Grandma told my mother and my mom told me I could donate the meat if I killed the elk, so I went and killed one,” Jay Marshall said.
On Dec. 9, Jay Marshall took a solo-hunting trip in Randle, Wash., and managed to catch the elk, which he carried back to his truck by himself. This was the second elk the 19-year-old has caught during his six years of hunting.
“Going out and hunting is kind of a waiting game… the first time (I got an elk) I went to Packwood and got lucky… this time I was in Randle, and got lucky. It’s kind of hard… would really like to do it again.”
Jay Marshall’s catch will be stored at the Puyallup Tribal Hatchery, and will be coordinated for use for special meals for the elders through the Elders Center.
“Jay is out hunting for himself and immediate family, but he wanted to help the elders that don’t have family to hunt for them. He wanted to make sure the elders in the community were provided for,” said Barbara Moeller, hunting and wildlife biologist for the Wildlife Program.
She noted a catch like Jay Marshall’s will help the department to maintain its program and food supply.
“There’s no guarantee we’re going to get meat,” Barbara Moeller said. “(Ceremonial hunting) is a system that we initiated over the last several years. This is for our surplus need.”
Barbara Moeller noted that many elders are not able to go out and hunt for themselves, as is true for families dealing with a death and planning a funeral. Having extra meat on hand ensures that all tribal members will be provided ceremonial food regardless of if they are able to hunt themselves.
Barbara Moeller noted that because there are no guarantees in hunting, having several successful hunters on-hand allows the department to stay on top of its meat reserves.
Hunters are also able to volunteer to hunt on behalf of a specific elder, meaning their catches will directly benefit the individual elder.
Jay Marshall noted he was happy to help out his elders, and is glad to know his elk will feed many through the Elders Center.
“Makes me feel great to give them something great. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could,” he said.
Hunters wishing to volunteer for ceremonial hunting should contact the Wildlife Department, where they can apply and will be reviewed by the commission for approval.
Contact the Wildlife Program at (253) 841-0377.
