Session: OS-A4
Social Aspects of Hunting: Comparisons across Africa and Europe

Sustainable, regulated hunting provides an important wildlife management tool that can have positive impacts on wildlife conservation in many countries around the world through mitigation of human-wildlife conflict as well as ecosystem management. Regulated hunting also generates significant amounts of funding that is often directly applied to the conservation of wildlife and their habitats. Despite this, hunting has become a fairly... [ view more ]

Sustainable, regulated hunting provides an important wildlife management tool that can have positive impacts on wildlife conservation in many countries around the world through mitigation of human-wildlife conflict as well as ecosystem management. Regulated hunting also generates significant amounts of funding that is often directly applied to the conservation of wildlife and their habitats. Despite this, hunting has become a fairly controversial issue that can arouse strong opinions amongst those who care about wildlife. As a result, wildlife agencies worldwide increasingly need information regarding the social aspects of hunting that could potentially help to minimize conflict and create consensus for hunting-related decisions. Social conflict over hunting likely differs geographically. Although there have been a plethora of studies examining the social dimensions of hunting in North America, much less research has been conducted in Europe and Africa. Furthermore, hunting in Europe and Africa follows a model that is fundamentally different than the North American Model of hunting and conservation. In fact, the North American Model with public ownership of wildlife was developed in part to challenge the historic European model where hunting was an activity only accessible to the wealthy. Therefore, it is extremely important to examine social aspects of hunting in Europe and Africa and to compare and contrast these models. Hunting in post-colonial Africa is a descendant of the European model with its own complexities including bushmeat hunting, trophy hunting, and international poaching operations. In the face of this complexity, this symposium explores the social aspects of hunting in Europe and Africa through a variety of case studies. Speakers in this session will cover a diversity of topics dealing with perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, values orientations, and behaviors related to hunting. It is our hope that this symposium will facilitate scholarly discussion and cross-cultural learning through exposure to trans-continental case studies. [ view less ]