Demographic transition among hunters: a temporal analysis of hunter recruitment dedication and motives in Denmark
Hans Peter Hansen A D , M. Nils Peterson B and Charlotte Jensen CA Unit for Environmental Communication, Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7012, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
B Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, PO Box 7646, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
C Charlotte Jensen, Section for Anthropology and Ethnography, Aarhus University, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark.
D Corresponding author. Email: hans.hansen@sol.slu.se
Wildlife Research 39(5) 446-451 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR12028
Submitted: 4 February 2012 Accepted: 7 May 2012 Published: 1 June 2012
Abstract
Context: In many countries, hunting has emerged as a major source of funding for wildlife conservation and research or habitat acquisition. In some countries, recent declines in recruitment of hunters have generated concerns about the consequences of the rapid demographic change within society in general, and among hunters in particular. Gaining a better understanding of how these demographic changes influence dedication to and motivation for hunting has therefore become an important task.
Aims: Our aims included documenting the demographic transition among Danish hunters, and identifying correlates of hunter recruitment age, motivations and dedication.
Methods: We addressed these aims using a national survey of Danish hunters in 2000 (n = 1186) and 2006 (n = 701). Survey data were analysed using multiple regression models.
Key results: Whereas recruitment numbers remained stable, the average age of recruitment for hunters increased from 21 to 34 between 1984 and 2006, and the percentage of new hunters younger than 20 declined from 63% to 19% during the same period. Respondents who hunted to experience nature were recruited at older ages than other hunters. Recruitment age was negatively related to number of days hunting per year and relative importance placed on hunting as a recreational activity, and positively related to being recruited by friends, female gender, being married, and having an urban childhood.
Conclusions: The global demographic transition towards an older and more urban populace may drive a change in hunter demographics rather than a decline of hunting.
Implications: The present study suggests that hunting can persist in the face of rapid demographic change. However, the study also indicates several important structural barriers for new hunters, favouring those hunters being economically most well off and leading to a decline in hunting dedication. To meet these challenges, the study suggests that modifications will be needed in hunter education programs and hunter recruitment campaigns, so as to maintain hunting as a significant positive factor within wildlife conservation.
References
Boulanger, J. R., Hubbard, D. E., Jenks, J. A., and Gigliotti, L. M. (2006). A typology of South Dakota muzzleloader deer hunters. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34, 691–697.| A typology of South Dakota muzzleloader deer hunters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Campbell, J. M., and Mackay, K. J. (2003). Attitudinal and normative influences on support for hunting as a wildlife management strategy. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 8, 181–197.
| Attitudinal and normative influences on support for hunting as a wildlife management strategy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Caughley, G. (1985). Harvesting of Wildlife. Past, Present and Future. In ‘Game Harvest Management’. (Eds S. F. Roberson and S. L. Beasom.) pp. 3–14. (Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute: Kingsville, TX.)
Clendenning, G., Field, D. R., and Kapp, K. J. (2005). A comparison of seasonal homeowners and permanent residents on their attitudes toward wildlife management on public lands. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 10, 3–17.
| A comparison of seasonal homeowners and permanent residents on their attitudes toward wildlife management on public lands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cohen, J., and Cohen, P. (1983). ‘Applied Multiple Regression/Correlation for the Behavioural Sciences.’ 2nd edn. (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: London.)
Czech, B., Devers, P. K., and Krausman, P. R. (2001). The relationship of gender to species conservation attitudes. Wildlife Society Bulletin 29, 187–194.
Dalrymple, C. J., Peterson, M. N., Bondell, H. D., Rodriguez, S. L., Fortney, J., Cobb, D. T., and Sills, E. O. (2010). Understanding angler and hunter annual spending in North Carolina. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 64, 88–94.
Decker, D. J., Provencher, R. W., and Browns, T. L. (1984). ‘Antecedents to Hunting Participation, an Exploratory Study of the Social-psychological Determinants of Initiation, Continuation, and Desertion in Hunting.’ (Outdoor Recreation Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University: Ithaca, NY.)
Dizard, J. E. (2003). ‘Mortal Stakes, Hunters and Hunting in Contemporary America.’ (University of Massachusetts Press: Boston, MA.)
Dunlap, R. E., and Heffernan, R. B. (1975). Outdoor recreation and environmental concern, an empirical examination. Rural Sociology 40, 18–30.
Eliason, S. L. (2008). A statewide examination of hunting and trophy nonhuman animals: perspectives of Montana hunters. Society & Animals 16, 256–278.
| A statewide examination of hunting and trophy nonhuman animals: perspectives of Montana hunters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gasset, O. Y. (1972). ‘Meditations on Hunting.’ (Charles Scribner: New York.)
Gauthier, G., Pradel, R., Menu, S., and Lebreton, J. D. (2001). Seasonal survival of greater snow geese and effect of hunting under dependence in sighting probability. Ecology 82, 3105–3119.
| Seasonal survival of greater snow geese and effect of hunting under dependence in sighting probability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gigliotti, L. M. (2000). A classification scheme to better understand satisfaction of Black Hills deer hunters, the role of harvest success. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 5, 32–51.
| A classification scheme to better understand satisfaction of Black Hills deer hunters, the role of harvest success.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hansen, H. P. (2001a). Jagt i Danmark år 2000. Resultatrapport. Rapportserien nr. 99. Roskilde University, Denmark.
Hansen, H. P. (2001b). Jagt i Danmark år 2000. Analyserapport. Rapportserien nr. 100. Department of Environment, Technology and Social Studies, Roskilde University, Denmark.
Hansen, H. P., Peterson, M. N., and Peterson, T. R. (2010). Results of the nordic hunting in society symposium. Human Dimensions of Wildlife: An International Journal 15, 301–302.
| Results of the nordic hunting in society symposium.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heberlein, T. A., and Ericsson, E. (2005). Ties to the countryside: accounting for urbanites attitudes toward hunting, wolves, and wildlife. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 10, 213–227.
| Ties to the countryside: accounting for urbanites attitudes toward hunting, wolves, and wildlife.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heberlein, T.A., and Willebrand, T. (1998). Attitudes toward hunting across time and continents: The United States and Sweden. Gibier Faune Sauvage 15, 1071–1080.
Hosmer, D. W., and Lemeshow, S. (2000). ‘Applied Logistic Regression.’ (John Wiley & Sons: New York)
Iso-Ahola, S. E., Jackson, E., and Dunn, E. (1994). Starting, ceasing, and replacing leisure activities over the life-span. Journal of Leisure Research 26, 227–249.
Jensen, C. (2007a). ‘Nyjægere i Danmark. En Undersøgelse af Unge og Nye Jægeres Baggrund, Motivation, Jagtadfærd, Viden og Holdninger til Jagt og Natur.’ (Danmarks Jægerforbund: Hornslet Bogtrykkeri.)
Jensen, C. (2007b). ‘Bilag til Rapporten, Nyjægere i Danmark. En Undersøgelse af Unge og Nye Jægeres Baggrund, Motivation, Jagtadfærd, Viden og Holdninger til Jagt og Natur.’ (Danmarks Jægerforbund: Hornslet Bogtrykkeri.)
Leonard, J. (2007). ‘Fishing and Hunting Recruitment and Retention in the US from 1990 to 2005.’ Addendum to the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. (US Fish & Wildlife Service: Richmond, VA.)
Leopold, A. (1933). ‘Game Management’. (The University of Wisconsin Press: Madison, WI.)
Li, C. L., Zinn, H. C., Barro, S. C., and Manfredo, M. J. (2003). A cross-regional comparison of recreation patterns of older hunters. Leisure Sciences 25, 1–16.
| A cross-regional comparison of recreation patterns of older hunters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miljøministeriet, Skov og Naturstyrelsen (2010). ‘Vildtinformation 10.’ (The Danish Forest and Nature Agency: Denmark.)
Miller, C. A., and Graefe, A. R. (2001). Effect of harvest success on hunter attitudes toward white-tailed deer management in pennsylvania. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 6, 189–203.
| Effect of harvest success on hunter attitudes toward white-tailed deer management in pennsylvania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mital, A. (1994). Issues and concerns in accommodating the elderly in the workplace. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 4, 253–268.
| Issues and concerns in accommodating the elderly in the workplace.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Noer, H., Asferg, T., Clausen, P., Olesen, C. R., Bregnballe, T., Laursen, K., Kahlert, J., Teilmann, J., Christensen, T. K., and Haugaard, L. (2009). Vildtbestande og jagttider i Danmark: det biologiske grundlag for jagttidsrevisionen 2010. Faglig rapport fra DMU nr. 742. Danmark Miljøundersøgelser, Aarhus Universitet, Denmark.
Peek, C. W., Bell, N. J., and Dunham, C. C. (1996). Gender, gender ideology, and animal rights advocacy. Gender & Society 10, 464–478.
| Gender, gender ideology, and animal rights advocacy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Persson, R. (1979). ‘Jakten och Jägerne i Skåne.’ (Lunds Universitet: Lund, Sweden.)
Persson, R. (1984). Jaktrapporten. Forskningsprojekt SWED-HUNT. Lunds Universitet, Lund, Sweden.
Peterson, M. N., Angela, M. G., and Jianguo, L. (2006). Effects of zoonotic disease attributes on public attitudes towards wildlife management. The Journal of Wildlife Management 70, 1746–1753.
| Effects of zoonotic disease attributes on public attitudes towards wildlife management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Peterson, M. N., Hull, V., Mertig, A. G., and Liu, J. G. (2008). Evaluating household-level relationships between environmental views and outdoor recreation, the Teton Valley case. Leisure Sciences 30, 293–305.
| Evaluating household-level relationships between environmental views and outdoor recreation, the Teton Valley case.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shepard, P. (1973). ‘The Tender Carnivore and the Sacred Game.’ (Scribner: New York.)
Stedman, R.C., and Decker, D.J. (1993). ‘What Hunting Means to Non-hunters. Comparing Hunting-related Experiences, Beliefs, and Benefits Reported by Hunters and Non-hunters.’ HDRU Series, No. 93–10, 1–52. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell University: Ithaca, NY.)
Strandgaard, H. (1962). Vildtudbyttet i Danmark, Hefte 9, Vildtbiologisk Station.
Tarrant, M. A., and Green, G. T. (1999). Outdoor recreation and the predictive validity of environmental attitudes. Leisure Sciences 21, 17–30.
| Outdoor recreation and the predictive validity of environmental attitudes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
The Nordic Hunters’ Cooperation (2008). Nordic Hunting – Securing Nature and Wildlife for Coming Generations.’ (Hornslet Bogtrykker: Denmark)
US Department of the Interior and US Department of Commerce (2002). ‘2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-associated Recreation.’ (United States Government Printing Office: Washington, DC.)
US Department of the Interior and US Department of Commerce (2007). ‘2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-associated Recreation.’ (United States Government Printing Office: Washington, DC.)
Weissman, C. (1931). ‘Vildtets og Jagtens Historie i Danmark.’ (C. A. Reitzels Forlag: Copenhagen, Denmark.)
Zinn, H. C., Manfredo, M. J., and Barro, S. C. (2002). Patterns of wildlife value orientations in hunters’ families. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 7, 147–162.
| Patterns of wildlife value orientations in hunters’ families.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
