Demographic transition among hunters: a temporal analysis of hunter recruitment dedication and motives in Denmark

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.