I’ve never understood why these people couldn’t catch a fish, a pigeon, or a rodent. Or even rob a bird’s nest.
Seasonal, and a short season at that.
At the point of the highest starvation conditions they were also under siege by Powhatan indians who outnumbered their dwindling, starved people. No one could guard someone while they fished. Hunting put people out into the wood where awaited savages. The worst was in winter... adding to the stress and death. And they had no clean water, from lack of understanding and access to the free flowing river water— same reasons— no guards available.
Tramping through the woods hunting is often a net loss of energy. Unless large game is plentiful, and it was most assuredly not plentiful that year, hunting was an energy alligator.
Secondly, game is lean, and fat is high energy food. For that reason, black bear were prized as food. And that nice pelt. ;-)
..obviously, not taught to be self-reliant..!