A man whose name is synonymous with hunting and the outdoors has released a second collection of hunting tales.

"Hunting the Antlered Big Game of the Kootenays" is a collection of F.J. Hurtak's articles and stories on hunting in the area. The stories deal with the philosophy and ethics of hunting, strategies, secrets and techniques, facts and myths, the ways of the animals, the ways of the hunters, the landscapes, and some ripping good yarns.

The book is Hurtak's second collection. The first, "Elk Hunting in the Kootenays," was exclusively about hunting elk, and included pieces by some guest authors. The new book is exclusively penned by Hurtak.

"Hunting the Antlered Big Game in the Kootenays" reflects the fact that there's no place Hurtak would rather be.

"It's hard to explain - especially to non-hunters - but when you actually get out there you become part of the environment," Hurtak said. "You have to rely on yourself, and sometimes on your friends.

"The outside world disappears. It's an amazing sense of freedom."

This feeling is found throughout the stories in the book, many of which have been previously published in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman, the East Kootenay Valley and other publications.

All profits from sales of the book will be donated to the Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund to acquire land for wildlife and for habitat enhancement. The Heritage Fund and its partners have secured close to 30,000 acres of land here in the Kootenays to benefit wildlife.

"You have to have a place where 50 or 100 years from now where elk, deer or moose can move through their environment without being affected by man," Hurtak said.

"Hunting the Antlered Big Game of the Kootenays" is on sale for $21.99 at the following locations in Cranbrook: Lotus Books, Coles Books, Canadian Tire, Mountain Man Outdoors and Rick's Meats. In Kimberley: Blackbear Books and Video. In Fernie at Polar Peeks Books, in Sparwood at the Expressmart, in the Crowsnest Pass at Crocket's Trading Co., and in the West Kootenay at the Grey Creek Store.