Meat Hunting Grows

Contrary to popular belief, most hunters don’t hunt for a trophy but rather for the meat a successful hunt can provide, according to a survey launched in 2008 by Responsive Management of Harrisonburg, Va., which has measured various aspects of hunting for several states across the country for almost 30 years.

Among other possible answers given, including the desire to obtain a trophy, to experience nature, to spend time with family and friends, and to experience recreational benefits, two of five hunters nationwide responded that obtaining meat is the main reason they hunt. This is in contrast to a trend 10 years ago, when one of three hunters indicated the recreational aspect of the pastime was the primary factor for going afield.

Responsive Management’s study indicates that economic, cultural and health factors are behind the trend. Perhaps the “locavore” movement plays into it, too. After all, by now it’s well known that even some celebrity millennials, like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, have taken up hunting, stating that meat “tastes doubly better when you’ve hunted the animal yourself.”