We Out Here: Summary of The Recent “Black Hunters: Reclaiming Tradition”
Study by Brandon Dale, PhD Hunter of Color Ambassador, New York
06/18/2024
Breaking news:
“Racial aspects were a constant underlying factor for most participants when considering and/or reflecting specifically on their future hunting behaviors.” – Black Hunters: Reclaiming the Tradition.
Pinckney, H.P., Sène-Harper, A, Wynveen, C. J., Holsman, R.H., and Dunfee, M. 2024. Black Hunters: Reclaiming the Tradition. Wildlife Management Institute, Cabot, VT. https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Black-Hunters_-Reclaiming-the-Tradition.pdf
When reviewing the recent findings from “Black Hunters: Reclaiming the Tradition,” the aforementioned quote resonated deeply with the staff and volunteers at Hunters of Color. Primarily, it evoked a feeling of familiarity, something that we have long known to be true: the barriers, both tangible and intangible, were higher for hunters of Color.
This first-of-its-kind, groundbreaking study, conducted by the Wildlife Management Institute in collaboration with lead authors from Clemson University, The Pennsylvania State University, and Baylor University, aimed to examine the challenges faced by Black American hunters and provide recommendations to increase their access and participation in hunting, thus reviving a rich tradition in North American history. By understanding these barriers, the study sought to assist hunting organizations in developing Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) programs specifically tailored to Black outdoor enthusiasts.
The study utilized a mixed-model design that incorporated data from sociologically coded focus groups with results from an online survey that provided a mix of qualitative and quantitative analyses to explore themes and relationships related to hunter recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3). Importantly, the study was able to recruit 1,591 participants who self-identify as Black hunters from across 32 states with a mean respondent age of 48.4 years (SD = 12.4). The study found that the majority of respondents were from Southern states such as Alabama (20.9%), Virginia (19.3%), Tennessee (16.0%), and Florida (13.7%), with a low response rate from other states. Most participants (76.2%) started hunting before 18, often learning from family members. However, the study's limitations, including a low response rate for the online survey of 6%, only surveying experienced Black hunters, and a geographical focus on the Southeastern U.S., meaning the findings may not fully represent Black hunters across the U.S., warranting further research in other areas. Nonetheless, the study offers valuable insights into the motivations and challenges faced by Black hunters, aiding efforts to support their recruitment and engagement in hunting activities.
Black hunters share motivations akin to the broader hunting community, including a strong spiritual connection to nature and a desire for self-sufficiency through obtaining meat. They also find relaxation and escape in hunting, targeting species like white-tailed deer (93%), small game (79%), turkey (57%), and furbearers (43%). These motivations highlight the importance of accessing their hunting heritage and reflect shared reasons for engaging in hunting. Understanding these motivations can help tailor outreach and support programs to better serve Black hunters and encourage their continued participation in hunting.
Despite the many compelling reasons to hunt, Black hunters encounter several obstacles, many of which are shared with the at-large hunting community such as land access, competing time commitments and the cost associated with hunting. Interestingly, race imparted a moderate influence in the personal identities of Black hunters. For example, while being a Black hunter was personally a source of pride, it was not the highest contributing factor in forming participants’ identities as hunters. However, race played a much more significant role in shaping the future decisions of Black hunters hunting behaviors (i.e. where, how and with whom do they hunt).
Nearly a third of the Black hunters (28.1%, n = 331) reported encountering race-related conflicts while hunting, often involving White hunters, landowners, and conservation officers. These incidents ranged from subtle, non-verbal interactions to more overt, hostile encounters. One hunter shared, "I'm usually guarded when other races are around due to them looking [at me] as though we don't belong there." Another hunter recounted a particularly harrowing experience: “I was called the N word and told that I would die in the swamp once while hunting [place redacted for privacy]. I hunted in places far from other hunters after that.” Examples of such altercations, though not universally experienced, underscore the crucial work of organizations like Hunters of Color in fostering inclusive, safe, and respectful hunting communities. Creating welcoming spaces is vital, as these barriers, deftly navigated by experienced Black hunters whose desire to hunt supersedes these barriers, pose significant challenges for new BIPOC hunters who may not feel secure entering the hunting community.
Several recommendations were provided in the study to improve the pipeline of new Black hunters. A condensed and bucketed version of these recommendations can be found below:
Advertising
Use commercials and social media to promote positive images of the hunting community.
Increase media representation and advertising featuring hunters of Color.
Highlight hunting opportunities and educational programs.
Mentoring Programs
Increase participation and education for new hunters through mentoring.
Develop outreach programs to recruit non-White, non-male hunters, including women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Game Warden Training
Provide training to improve and standardize interactions with hunters.
Hire more People of Color at various levels within hunting agencies.
Land Access
Increase land availability and simplify access to public and private lands.
The findings of this study highlight the need for deeper consideration of recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts and outreach initiatives aimed at Black hunters, and generally, hunters of Color. The researchers concluded that future studies should broaden its geographic scope and delve into the interests and barriers for Black Americans who are contemplating hunting but have not yet taken the plunge. This is the first part of an article series that will delve deeper into the findings of this study, while also providing cross-comparative analysis of the results from R3 programming by groups specifically targeting new Black and BIPOC hunters, with a focus on recruitment programs. It is our hope that this study, as well as the accompanying articles, will provide a bedrock of concrete examples and recommendations to improve the pipeline of new hunters of Color for state agencies, private sector businesses, and non-profit organizations. The results of this study are promising – and we hope that the findings inspire a transformative shift within the broader hunting community, ensuring that our slogan at Hunters Of Color, "The Outdoors Are For Everyone," will one day ring true.
