Hunting in Germany: 64% see an ethical contribution to nature and society

Hunting in Germany: 64% see an ethical contribution to nature and society

In the debate about hunting in Germany, current surveys show a surprisingly positive picture. According to a representative survey carried out on behalf of the German Hunting Association (DJV), 64 percent of those surveyed see hunting as an important contribution to society. DJV President Helmut Dammann-Tamke emphasizes that the growing interest in ethical issues and animal protection is clear. What is particularly noteworthy is that 80 percent of those surveyed consider hunting to be a useful way to regulate game populations.

The survey, which surveyed over 2,500 people, shows impressive results. Almost 78 percent of Germans support feeding wild animals in need during the winter, and 72 percent see hunting as a necessary protection for fields and forests from damage caused by game. These aspects reflect society's appreciation for hunting. In rural areas, over 69 percent of the population has already had contact with hunters, while in urban areas this is less than 43 percent.

Ethics and nature

Social responsibility is also a central topic in the discussion about hunting. In sparsely populated regions, approval ratings for hunting are as high as 83 percent. The survey further confirms that two thirds of Germans view hunting to curb animal diseases such as African swine fever as ethical. The role of hunting in species conservation is also more widely recognized; 54 percent believe it is justified, although this figure rises to 63 percent in rural areas.

A particularly current topic is hunting wolves. According to the survey, 51 percent of respondents support the use of hunting to protect grazing animals. And even 50 percent of participants support facilitating the hunting of wolves at the European level. The ethical aspects of hunting are becoming increasingly important, because compliance with hunting regulations and animal protection are important concerns everywhere. Hunting laws that take national and international standards into account play a crucial role here.

Federal Hunters Day in Bonn

The upcoming Federal Hunters' Day, which will take place on June 20th and 21st in Bonn under the motto "On the trail - together for more responsibility", will focus on hunting ethics and responsibility. Around 400 participants are expected to discuss the challenges and opportunities of hunting. On June 21st, from 3 p.m., the DJV will also report via live stream from various panel discussions that deal with current ethics issues.

In addition to the ethical perspective, the enjoyment of game meat also has a permanent place in the discussion. 70 percent of Germans view venison as a healthy and natural food, which further fuels the trend towards regional and sustainable nutrition. The survey results paint a picture that sees hunting not only as regulating animal populations, but also as culturally and ethically desirable.

Compliance with hunting regulations and the responsibility of hunters are essential here. Ethical hunting is important not only in terms of animal protection, but also for the benefit of nature and to promote social trust in hunting as an institution.

For further insights into this topic, you can read the articles from Wild and dog, Hunting Association and Animal protection associations visit.