Post by Woody Williams on Nov 22, 2005 20:08:19 GMT -5
Why fewer kids hunting today:
Report sheds light on why fewer kids hunting today
By BILL BISWANGER, Sun Outdoors Writer
Fewer kids are hunting, but some of the reasons might surprise you.
A research report titled “Factors Related to Hunting and Fishing Participation Among Today's Youth” has been released. Conducted by Responsive Management, and commissioned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the findings support what many of us have suspected for a long time.
For instance, kids who hunt now are more likely to hunt in the future, especially compared to adults who take it up later life. However, the study also found that some of our assumptions are false.
They include:
Myth: Kids from single-parent households do not hunt.
Fact: A youth from a single-parent household is more likely to hunt than a youth from a traditional two-parent family. This seems counterintuitive. However, single parents may be especially sensitive to spending “quality” time with their children. This likely extends to the child's extended family, including uncles and grandfathers. Mentoring is key.
Myth: Kids are hearing bad things about hunting in school.
Fact: Most kids aren't hearing anything about hunting in school. Only 22 percent of youth said they remembered their teacher or guest speaker even mentioning hunting, and of that, only 7 percent remember anything negative being said. Most students don't even know what their teacher thinks of hunting and of those who do, only 15 percent suspect their teacher opposes it.
Myth: Kids don't go outside anymore.
Fact: While fewer kids are hunting and fishing (and also playing baseball, softball, and football), more kids are mountain biking, hiking, camping, climbing, snowboarding and ice skating. In some cases, participation in these activities has increased by several hundred percent.
Myth: They would like it if they tried it.
Fact: There is no great pool of kids who want to hunt. The kids who are interested in hunting are hunting, and they tend to be white, rural males. The lack of interest, however, does not translate into opposition. The study found that, “while more youth tend to support hunting than oppose it, the research suggests hunting is not a top-of-the mind issue.” Support for hunting tends to be lower in youth than adults, but this is probably more of a developmental, rather than philosophical issue. The study found support for hunting steadily increases with age.
Myth: “Success” must be guaranteed.
Fact: Hunting satisfaction among young hunters is most related to having fun and being with family and friends. Confidence, as it relates to skill, is also important. That is where hunter education and mentors fit in. Young hunters need positive reinforcement.
Most of the outdoor sports we enjoy are not being utilized by our youngsters. However, with some coaching and education and the chance to go with someone can open a door to someone. People like to eat fish, have a burger or a good steak but they don't really give thought as to how that dinner arrived at their plate.
Report sheds light on why fewer kids hunting today
By BILL BISWANGER, Sun Outdoors Writer
Fewer kids are hunting, but some of the reasons might surprise you.
A research report titled “Factors Related to Hunting and Fishing Participation Among Today's Youth” has been released. Conducted by Responsive Management, and commissioned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the findings support what many of us have suspected for a long time.
For instance, kids who hunt now are more likely to hunt in the future, especially compared to adults who take it up later life. However, the study also found that some of our assumptions are false.
They include:
Myth: Kids from single-parent households do not hunt.
Fact: A youth from a single-parent household is more likely to hunt than a youth from a traditional two-parent family. This seems counterintuitive. However, single parents may be especially sensitive to spending “quality” time with their children. This likely extends to the child's extended family, including uncles and grandfathers. Mentoring is key.
Myth: Kids are hearing bad things about hunting in school.
Fact: Most kids aren't hearing anything about hunting in school. Only 22 percent of youth said they remembered their teacher or guest speaker even mentioning hunting, and of that, only 7 percent remember anything negative being said. Most students don't even know what their teacher thinks of hunting and of those who do, only 15 percent suspect their teacher opposes it.
Myth: Kids don't go outside anymore.
Fact: While fewer kids are hunting and fishing (and also playing baseball, softball, and football), more kids are mountain biking, hiking, camping, climbing, snowboarding and ice skating. In some cases, participation in these activities has increased by several hundred percent.
Myth: They would like it if they tried it.
Fact: There is no great pool of kids who want to hunt. The kids who are interested in hunting are hunting, and they tend to be white, rural males. The lack of interest, however, does not translate into opposition. The study found that, “while more youth tend to support hunting than oppose it, the research suggests hunting is not a top-of-the mind issue.” Support for hunting tends to be lower in youth than adults, but this is probably more of a developmental, rather than philosophical issue. The study found support for hunting steadily increases with age.
Myth: “Success” must be guaranteed.
Fact: Hunting satisfaction among young hunters is most related to having fun and being with family and friends. Confidence, as it relates to skill, is also important. That is where hunter education and mentors fit in. Young hunters need positive reinforcement.
Most of the outdoor sports we enjoy are not being utilized by our youngsters. However, with some coaching and education and the chance to go with someone can open a door to someone. People like to eat fish, have a burger or a good steak but they don't really give thought as to how that dinner arrived at their plate.
