Sacred Hunting

Sacred Hunting operates hunting experiences that merge ancestral hunting traditions with modern personal development. Founded by Mansal Denton, the organization began after Denton's own transformation from prison and shame into a dedicated practitioner of hunting as a spiritual path.

Mansal found his calling through nine years of sweat lodges and council work with his spiritual mentor, Will Taegel "Star Heart." What started as personal healing attracted others seeking the same path. Sacred Hunting is now a 501(c)(3) federally recognized church with a team of 15+ leaders bringing expertise in everything from primitive skills to marine experience to culinary arts to somatic healing.

The leadership roster includes: - Matt Kinneberg - Navajo hunter and former Marine - Nathan Smith - Chef and movement expert - Anthony Ulrich - Wild food and primitive lifeways expert - Jacob Ray - Primitive skills and tracking specialist - Gabe Radovsky - Former software engineer turned wilderness guide - Mike Bledsoe - Veteran and holistic wellness advocate

• •Beginner Immersions are multi-day hunting experiences designed for first-time hunters or those starting from scratch. These events emphasize connection—both to the land and to other participants. Group sharing circles, authentic relating exercises, and ceremonial practices create what attendees describe as "ten years of therapy in a weekend."

• •Experienced Hunter Programs cater to seasoned hunters ready to hunt in new ways. Current offerings include:

• •Alumni Programs keep hunters engaged year-round:
• •Annual Family Summit (typically summer) with dozens of community members
• •At-cost Beginner Immersions (50% off full price after first hunt)
• •Online Men's Brotherhood cohorts (3-4 month programs)
• •Skills workshops including dedicated rifle range days in Austin, Texas

Sacred Hunting operates from specific tenets that frame hunting as sacred relationship, not recreation:

"Seeking a direct connection with food through hunting, gardening, raising livestock, and intimacy with those who engage in these practices is virtuous."

Hunts include: - Tobacco ceremonies - Sweat lodge experiences - Power plant ceremonies (conducted during daytime, separate from hunting) - Sharing circles and vulnerability work - Traditional spiritual practices honoring indigenous lifeways

Sacred Hunting is explicit about what they are: This is not a straightforward hunting outfitter. The organization emphasizes that spiritual and ceremonial components are non-negotiable. If you want to hunt without the group work and ceremony aspect, they won't be a good fit—and they'll tell you that directly.

All participants go through a screening process to ensure alignment with the organization's values and ethos.

When an animal is harvested, the meat is treated "for the collective." The total harvest gets split evenly among group members. Depending on location, meat is either flash frozen and shipped immediately, processed by a butcher, or processed together as a group. Taking organ meats home is common practice.

Mansal published "Sacred Hunting: Rekindling an Ancient Spiritual Practice." The book covers hunting, indigenous spiritual practices, plant medicines, and personal transformation. Endorsements come from figures like Paul Chek (founder of Chek Institute) and Daniel Vitalis (Wild Fed TV).

Prospective participants complete an "Exploratory Call" to match skill levels with appropriate experiences. Physical and skill requirements vary by hunt—if you can't meet them, refunds are issued but participation is denied. Bow hunting is available on select hunts for an additional fee.

• •No refund policy applies once payment is received, as the organization begins making payments to reserve spots. However, dates can sometimes be rolled over to future events on a case-by-case basis.