Katniss hunting in the woods.
- "There are added concerns like venomous snakes, rabid animals, and no real paths to follow."
- —Katniss Everdeen talking about the dangers of the woods[src]
The woods is the area that lies beyond the boundaries of District 12. Its entrance is restricted by the fence, which surrounds District 12.
Location
Katniss' hunting by the lake of the woods.
It is located outside the boundaries of District 12, leading the way to District 13. It is very wide and vast, and the end is unknown.
The meadow
The meadow is what lies on the other side of the fence, on the inside of District 12. This is the place where Katniss accesses the wood, by slipping under the fence. It is described as a scruffy field. After the firebombings of District 12, it turned dead and charred.
The fence
The fence is what separates the outskirts of District 12 and the woods. Katniss had many holes located throughout the fence to access the wood. One of the most accessible points is the one by the Meadow, she also uses this entrance because it is so close to her home in the Seam. The Capitol placed it there to keep the wild animals out and to keep the streets of District 12 safe, but also so they can make sure the citizens are kept inside. In Catching Fire, after the arrival of the new Head Peacekeeper, Romulus Thread, Katniss went out hunting but when she returned the fence was fully charged. Katniss managed to escape by jumping down from a branch of a maple tree down into a snow pile.
Hunting and gathering
The forest is a place some citizens of District 12 venture to hunt or gather food. Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne enter the forest as part of their daily routine, trying to get food for their families. Mr. Everdeen hid bows around the forest, so that he could easily gain access to them. They hunt such things as rabbits, squirrels and the occasional deer, and then bring them back to sell or trade at the Hob.
Katniss and Gale talking in the forest.
They can also fish in the rivers and lake, or collect Katniss tubers from the bottom. On reaping day, Katniss met Gale at a special place hidden by thistle bushes but they can see clearly into the valley and they ate bread, cheese from Prim's goat, Lady, and berries that Katniss stripped from some bushes.
Other than hunting, Katniss and Gale also collect berries and plants to eat. Gale set up mesh nets around the strawberry patches, so that the wild animals are unable to eat the plants.
Gale brought about 800 people into the woods when the Capitol bombed District 12. Gale managed to feed all these people with only a bow and a fishing net, thus indicating that there are many animals in the woods to hunt.