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Germany's 460,000 Hunting Permits: Only Half Actively Hunt

Germany's hunting scene is booming with permits, but only half actively hunt. More women are joining, and hunting schools are graduating twice as many as a decade ago.

In this image I can see an open grass ground and on it I can see number of deer. I can also see...
In this image I can see an open grass ground and on it I can see number of deer. I can also see number of trees in the background.

Germany's 460,000 Hunting Permits: Only Half Actively Hunt

Germany's hunting scene reveals intriguing trends. While 460,000 permits are issued, active hunters number around 250,000 to 300,000. About two thirds hunt on invitation or as dog handlers, and many permit holders own their own hunting grounds.

The exact number of active hunting rights holders remains unclear, with no specific data available. However, it's estimated that 160,000 to 210,000 permit holders rarely or never hunt. Many hunting schools lose touch with their graduates, making data collection challenging.

Hunting is evolving in Germany. Around 20,000 people pass the hunting exam each year, double the number a decade ago. Women are joining the ranks, with their average age decreasing from 36 to 33 years between 2011 and 2021.

Despite 460,000 permits, only about half that number actively hunt regularly in Germany. Hunting is becoming more accessible and diverse, with increasing female participation and a growing number of examinees. However, data collection on active hunters remains limited.

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