Hunting is a Dead Sport Walking

by on in Outdoor Recreation

Our Sport is Declining

If you are a hunter, then you know its a sport that gets in your blood the moment you have that first heart pumping, adrenaline driving moment that you take an animals life. It’s a thrill unlike any other that you will experience in life and has a profound effect on you.

That thrill and challenge is on a path to destruction and we need to fight for our right party after a successful hunt.

There are many factors at play contributing to the sports eye popping declines and things we can and should do to slow it down NOW!

The Causes are Complex and Diverse

Hunting could arguably be the oldest sport known to mankind behind maybe wresting. The first human beings lived a nomadic lifestyle and introduced meat to their diet about 3 million years ago.

Things have changed in a huge way.

Hunting participation in the United States began to noticeably decline in the mid 1980’s with the number of hunters peaking in the early 1980s and then steadily decreasing ever since. Since the 1980s, the percentage of the population participating in hunting has been steadily declining. 

But What is Causing It?

There a lot of factors causing the decline in the sport but some of the following include:

Aging hunter population:
A large portion of hunters today are baby boomers who are reaching an age where they are less able to hunt, with fewer young people stepping in to replace them.

Urbanization:
As more people move to cities, there is less access to hunting land and a growing disconnect with the outdoors.
Changing societal views:
Increasing public concern about animal welfare and environmental impact can deter people from hunting.

Competition from other activities:
Video games, sports, and other indoor activities can provide similar entertainment to hunting, making it less appealing to younger generations.
Lack of diversity in hunting culture:
Hunting is often perceived as a predominantly male, rural activity, which can limit participation from other demographics.

What is Causing the Decline?

Land access issues:
Private landowners are increasingly less willing to allow hunting on their property, and public hunting lands can become overcrowded.

Major Legislation History

Federal and state hunting laws are complex and continue to be tweaked primarily focused on preservation.

Federal Laws

The Lacey Act of 1900 was the first major federal law to regulate hunting and wildlife, making it illegal to transport illegally captured wildlife across state lines. Then other federal laws were enacted the Game and Bird Preserves Act of 1905 and the National Park Service Act of 1916, which established national parks, monuments, and reservations. There are also many others such as the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act.

State Laws

By 1880, every state had game laws. These laws included bag limits, prohibitions on taking certain types of wildlife (hence the idea of “non-game”), seasonal closure on hunting, and the beginning of the end of market or commercial hunting.

Nearly $200 million in hunters’ federal excise taxes are distributed to support wildlife management program, hunter education, and safety classes. Many hunting groups participate in lobbying the federal and state governments. Regulations vary widely from state to state.

As of November 2024, 24 states have constitutional amendments that establish a right to hunt and fish.

Recent proposals could now also change the way that oil and gas resources are leased and developed within our national forests, potentially upsetting the balance between multiple uses and affecting our hunting and fishing opportunities.

New state laws allow some states to allow cross bows to attract the elderly and youth.

What Has Been Done

With our beloved sport on the decline there needs to be changes before it is too late. But what can we do
The common approaches listed below that are being done are a start, but there has to be more.
Outreach programs:

Initiatives to introduce hunting to diverse groups, including women and youth, through educational programs and mentored hunts. 

Improve access to hunting land:

Collaborations between landowners and hunting organizations to create more accessible hunting areas. 

Promote conservation education:

Emphasize the role of hunting in wildlife management and conservation efforts. 

Modernize hunting practices:

 

Adapt hunting regulations and techniques to better suit contemporary societal values and concerns
Promote New Technology and Business Involvement
We all love to get new hunting gear. We need to continue growing business profit motives involved to continue contributing to land conservation and hunting opportunities.

What Do You Think Should Be Done?

Here are some of my thoughts:
Hunters Against Hunters:

As a hunter myself I have noticed a growing trend in social media of some hunters belittling others for the weapons they use, the deer they shoot, when and how they clean their game and the list goes on.

I think if we want to truly promote the sport we love, we all need to come together open the doors for new hunters rather than tear them down.

Land Access: 

We need a better system to get access to land. Outfitters and private land owners are gouging the average hunter. As an example of this I was planning an elk hunting trip with a buddy for next year. A private land owner in Colorado was charging only $100 per hunter on his land last year which was amazing. I was just informed that an outfitter bought the land and increased the cost to $6k per hunter!! The $100 per person was crazy cheap but $6k (while the norm now) is beyond the ability for most hunters to get access to hunt if they do not own or have access to private land.

Education:

Lets’ face people that do not hunt do not get it. Why would you spend all that money and time for meat when you can just go to Walmart?  Hunters are just blood thirsty animal killers. We hear it all. The concept of conservation is misunderstood and there needs to be more hunter advocacy groups.

Let’s continue our fight for the right to party after a successful hunt.

I would love to get your thoughts on what can be done to protect the sport and why it is failing.

Hunters Against Hunters:

As a hunter myself I have also noticed a growing trend in social media of some hunters belittling others for the weapons they use, the deer they shoot, when and how they clean their game and the list goes on.

I think if we want to truly promote the sport we love, we all need to come together open the doors for new hunters rather than tear them down.

 

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