"Hunters in the Snow" is about Frank, Kenny, and Tub, three friends who choose to go hunting together. The story has moments that show a supportive relationship between the three men; however, much of the story shows that these friendship are quite caustic. Kenny is by far the cruelest member of the group, and he continuously makes negative comments to—and about—both of his friends. Tub is his favorite target, because Tub is overweight. The following quote comes in the fourth paragraph of the story, and it effectively lets readers know right from the start what kind of man Kenny is and how thin this supposed friendship might actually be.

He looked like a cartoon of a person laughing, except that his eyes watched the man on the seat beside him. “You ought to see yourself,” the driver said. “He looks just like a beach ball with a hat on, doesn’t he? Doesn’t he, Frank?” The man beside him smiled and looked off.

It is important to note that while Kenny is responsible for setting this derisive tone, Frank is responsible for perpetuating it through his passive consent. This can be seen later in the story when the men are hunting. The thick snow is difficult to move through for all three men, and the frequent fence lines present obstacles to get over, through, or around. Tub is especially hampered by the fences. However, neither Frank nor Kenny help Tub in any way.

They started off across the field. Tub had trouble getting through the fences. Frank and Kenny could have helped him; they could have lifted up on the top wire and stepped on the bottom wire, but they didn’t. They stood and watched him. There were a lot of fences and Tub was puffing when they reached the woods.

Later in the story, Kenny's absence from the triad—which occurs as a result of Tub's defensively shooting him—creates a change in Frank. No longer needing to align himself with Kenny's tough-minded demeanor and dismissive attitude towards Tub, Frank opens up. As they struggle to drive Kenny to the hospital on wintry rural roads, Frank and Tub begin to connect with one another, sharing their personal challenges. Frank reveals his infatuation with a fifteen-year-old girl, which has destabilized his life and brought him shame. Rather than judging Frank for this, as Kenny did, Tub offers him support and understanding. In turn, Tub opens up about his challenges with his weight, detailing the duplicitous life he lives, eating fattening foods in private and feeling ashamed as a result. Frank responds with his own peculiar show of support. He orders Tub a plate of pancakes and encourages him to dig in, allowing Tub to bring his shameful side out of the shadows.

"No wiping," he said. Tub kept at it. The syrup covered his chin; it dripped to a point like a goatee. "Weigh in, Tub," Frank said, pushing another fork across the table. "Get down to business." Tub took the fork in his left hand and lowered his head and started really chowing down. "Clean your plate," Frank said when the pancakes were gone, and Tub lifted each of the four plates and licked it clean. He sat back, trying to catch his breath.

"Beautiful," Frank said. "Are you full?"

"I'm full," Tub said. "I've never been so full."