Join us via Zoom for an engaging one-hour presentation by bee expert Brian Dykstra on the captivating world of bee hunting (also known as bee-lining), bee-trees, and their storied role in North American history. This streamlined session will kick off with a quick welcome before diving straight into the content—no extended business discussions, just pure bee fascination!

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) naturally nest in trees, making "bee-trees" prime targets for hunters seeking wild honey. Introduced to North America in 1622 by European settlers on the East Coast, these industrious insects didn't reach California until 1853, when Christopher A. Shelton transported 12 hives from Panama to San Jose, marking the start of a new era in Western beekeeping. This arrival opened up opportunities for bee hunters to "pillage" wild colonies, using techniques like bee-lining—tracking foraging bees back to their hives with bait, compasses, and keen observation.

Discover the colorful characters of bee-hunting lore, from fictional tales in American literature to real-life notorieties. Explore methods for locating bee-trees, extracting honey (often destructively in early days), and even claiming ownership through marks or legal disputes. Brian will highlight bee hunting's influence on art, fiction, and culture, including its portrayal in 19th-century Michigan where settlers and Native Americans harvested honey and beeswax from wild hives. We'll also touch on modern bee hunting practices, why they persist today, and global contexts for this ancient pursuit—with a special focus on California's unique bee history.

This talk offers a fresh lens on bees and human ingenuity, blending ecology, history, and ethnobiology. Whether you're a seasoned apiarist or new to the hive, you'll leave with buzzing insights!

Brian Dykstra is an independent researcher on all things bee. He teaches occasionally for CalPoly Humboldt OLLI.