Increasing interest in becoming hunters among the public is apparent.
In the past year, the German Hunting Association (DJV) reported a significant increase in registrations for hunting exams, with a total of 18,820 candidates seeking to obtain a hunting license. This trend is not new, as the number of candidates has almost doubled over the past decade, according to the DJV.
The increased interest in hunting and registration for hunting exams in Germany is driven by a combination of factors. A rising appreciation for nature and sustainable hunting practices is one such factor, as people seek closer connections with the environment.
Legal frameworks mandating passing hunting exams to ensure hunters are well-educated about wildlife conservation, safety, and ethics also play a crucial role. Enhanced visibility and accessibility of hunting through media, clubs, and training programs have attracted new demographics, including younger people.
The role of hunting in ecological balance and population control of certain species further motivates individuals to pursue it responsibly. The DJV President, Volker Boehning, stated that more people are discovering and wanting to protect local nature, not just through donations but also actively.
Regions like Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Bavaria each have a substantial number of registrations, with Lower Saxony leading the pack with almost 4,000.
The path to a hunting license involves approximately 150 hours of theory and practice, covering topics such as nature and animal protection and weapons knowledge. The hunting license exam consists of a written, oral, and practical part.
However, due to the Corona pandemic, many hunting exams are still pending. Despite this setback, the DJV President emphasised that the increase in interest in hunting and nature protection is not solely due to the pandemic.
The "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" reported this increase in candidates for a hunting license, attributing it to growing public enthusiasm for outdoor activities, wildlife management awareness, and stricter regulations requiring formal hunting qualifications.
Many people who become hunters want to actively shape nature and value game meat, according to the DJV's surveys. The DJV President Volker Boehning spoke to the "NOZ" about this increase in interest in hunting and nature protection.
While the exact reasons for this trend in Germany may not be explicitly mentioned in the available search results, the general context from related hunting and outdoor activity trends implies that a combination of cultural, legal, and environmental factors fuels this increase. If more specific contemporary German data were available, it would provide a clearer picture of how changes in regulations or popular attitudes have directly impacted hunting interest.
- Some individuals are drawn to hunting as a means to actively protect local nature, as stated by the DJV President Volker Boehning.
- Other than the pandemic, the increased interest in hunting and the subsequent rise in hunting license registrations can be attributed to a growing public enthusiasm for outdoor activities and wildlife management awareness.
