German Hunting Sees Surge in Women and New Hunters, Despite Data Gaps
A recent survey by the German Hunting Association (DJV) sheds light on the state of hunting in Germany. It suggests that around 250,000 to 300,000 people actively hunt regularly, despite the challenges in determining exact numbers due to lack of nationwide data.
The number of people taking the hunting exam has doubled in the past decade, with around 20,000 people passing it each year. However, not all of these new hunters continue to actively participate in the sport. Some may take the exam in a different federal state than where they hunt later, or they may give up hunting after a short time.
The face of German hunting is changing, with women making up an increasing proportion of new hunters. The average age of women passing the exam has decreased from 36 to 33 years between 2011 and 2021, indicating a trend towards younger, female participants.
The DJV estimates that about 160,000 to 210,000 permit holders rarely or never hunt, further complicating the calculation of active hunters. Hunting schools often lose contact with their graduates after they pass the exam, making it difficult to collect data on active hunters.
The 460,000 hunting permits issued do not reflect the number of actively hunting individuals. The DJV's estimate of 250,000 to 300,000 regular hunters highlights the need for better data collection methods. Despite the challenges, the survey shows a growing interest in hunting, particularly among younger women. Those who actively hunt play a crucial role in managing wildlife populations and maintaining ecological balance within hunting districts.
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