Perspective
Hunting is a tradition that has been in existence formore than 5 million years (Stanford 1999). In theUnited States alone, surveys show nearly 80% of Americans support hunting, although less than 10%actually participate. The economics of thesestatistics are astounding: some 18.5 million hunterscontribute more than $30 billion annually to the U.S.economy, supporting more than 986,000 jobs.Hunters underwrite—to the tune of $1.5 billionannually—conservation programs benefiting allAmericans who value wildlife and wild places(National Shooting Sports Foundation 2005).Michigan has long enjoyed a strong hunting heritage.For almost one hundred years hunting has provideda tool for sound wildlife management, and has beenthe key link to educate citizens about theenvironment and the cornerstone of funding forMichigan natural resource conservation. Accordingto the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2002),hunters boosted Michigan’s economy in 2001 byspending $490 million in the state.There were more than 865,000 licensed hunters inMichigan in 2002. The total number of Michiganlicensed hunters has remained relatively static overthe past 40 years. However, the proportion of hunters in the Michigan population has declinedfrom an average of 10.1% in the 1960s to anaverage of 8.7% during 2000-2002 (Frawley2004).To reverse this trend, new hunters, especially non-traditional hunters, must be brought into the shootingand hunting sports. This will strengthen the fundingbase for conservation, include the increasingdiversity of society and preserve Michigan’s huntingheritage. One path to follow is enhancing socialsupport systems for new hunters (Wentz and Seng2000) by connecting the novice with a mentor who
Michigan Recruitment and Retention Work Group
Report and Recommendations
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In 1968, 45% of small game hunterspurchased only a small game huntinglicense—compared to 16% in 2002.understands and can explain the relationshipbetween hunting and the natural world. As AldoLeopold noted, this “…reminds us of ourdependency on the soil-plant-animal-man food chainand of the fundamental organization of the biota”(Leopold 1949:178).Besides a decline in the proportion of Michiganianswho hunt, there has been a shift in Michigan huntingaway from species that can be hunted by youngerhunters with firearms toward deer hunting. AsFrawley (2004) notes:
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Hunting in Michigan has become increasinglyfocused on deer hunting.
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At least 91% of license buyers purchased adeer hunting license.
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In 2002, 62% of the deer hunters purchasedonly a deer hunting license—compared to51% in 1968.
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In contrast, a smaller proportion of smallgame hunters purchased only small gamelicenses in 2002 than in 1968.
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A major drop-off in hunting participationappears to occur between the late teenyears and early 20s.1
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