(24 January 2024) After receiving feedback from over 7,000 respondents across five countries, an independent YouGov survey has found that the majority of European citizens are accepting of hunters keeping hunting trophies.
Conducted throughout November of last year, the survey sought to explore the mindset of Europeans on basic questions relating to hunting, sustainable use and the issue of “trophy hunting”. The survey was commissioned by the CIC, FACE and other partner organisations.
Is it acceptable to hunt if conducted lawfully? Should hunters be allowed to keep “animal parts” if the hunt subsidises conservation efforts?
Collecting results across Spain, Denmark, Italy, Poland and Germany, the survey found that only 23% of respondents disagreed with “keeping animal parts” – such as antlers or horns – with 77% either approving or neutral on the practice.
Figure 1. How survey participants responded to the question: “It is acceptable for a hunter from my country to keep a part of a legally hunted animal (e.g., horns, antlers) as a keepsake, provided that the hunt subsidizes conservation efforts and adheres to international regulations.”
The findings are in stark contrast to traditionally held beliefs that people are broadly against the practice of “trophy hunting”.
For example, a well-known animal rights organisation has stated that 85% of Europeans are opposed to “trophy hunting” based on the results of their 2021 poll – a staggering gap when compared to the 23% put forward in this recent survey.
Other notable findings included a majority of respondents in all but one country (Italy) approving of hunting in their respective nations, as long as it is conducted lawfully and in accordance with regulations.
This news comes at a particularly turbulent time in the international governance on hunting trophies, with numerous countries introducing bills looking to ban the import of trophies citing conservation concerns.
These new findings should provide some much-needed nuance into these discussions, given the complexities surrounding the international trade of trophies and the benefits they generate for wildlife and people.
It is hoped that policymakers will take these results into account when crafting their wildlife management policies throughout Europe and beyond in the years ahead.
It should be noted that “trophy hunting” has garnered support from wildlife scientists and governing institutions alike, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which has stated their support of the practice when used to facilitate governments, landowners and communities in carrying out conservation activities.
For media inquiries, please contact: Stephan Wunderlich (s.wunderlich@cic-wildlife.org)
For more information on the YouGov survey, the report can be downloaded in full below.
YouGov Survey / Public Attitude Towards “Trophy Hunting” Report
