Opinions towards American hunting and shooting have shifted as the country itself has shifted from rural to urban living over the past century. But, a recent study by the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS) says the country is still massively in favor of hunting and shooting sports. However, the survey’s subjects appeared to put a big emphasis on the reason behind the activity. In their research, the CAHSS surveyed 2,212 Americans through phone or online questionnaires, with both groups receiving the same set of questions. Their study showed that Americans are “most likely to approve of hunting and shooting when motivated by food, conservation, or safety.”
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Of the people surveyed, 73 percent indicated they approved of hunting as long as it followed fish-and-game laws. The surveyed Americans had a high approval of hunting for sustenance by traditional methods. That approval did not extend to trophy hunting or hunting in high-fence areas. As per the study:
“Fair chase would appear to be a factor in approval of hunting: the lowest-rated methods are hunting on high-fenced property, hunting using high tech gear, and hunting over bait—for these, disapproval is as high or higher than approval.”
A similar percentage approved of sport shooting, with 74 percent approval in that category. But again, there were caveats.
According to the CAHSS study, Americans held the most approval for shooting sports when they were used to practice self-defense skills. Target practice ahead of hunting season was also viewed very favorably, and so was practice for Olympic shooting and other competitive disciplines.
What practical use does the knowledge from this survey give? According to the Steven Leath, Executive Director of the CAHSS, it shows that shooters and hunters must be careful to maintain public trust, and not take support for granted.
To that end, Scott Lavin, Director of Research & Partnerships for CAHSS, said the study’s findings can shape policy and outreach efforts and help the industry keep numbers strong. For more details, check out the survey here.
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