De Jacht: ambacht of achterhaalde hobby?

Abstract

This research paper aims to discover to what extent Dutch non-hunter's views on nature influence views on hunting. Literature suggests that knowledge, individual- and spatial factors influence views on nature and possibly also views on hunting. The relationship between the views and these factors have been statistically tested in this research.

A statistical relationship was found between views on nature and attitudes towards hunting. Views on nature seem to be a determining factor in attitude towards hunting. Feelings seem to play an important role in the adoption of attitude towards hunting. Feelings play a lesser role in the acceptance of hunting, where feelings make place for understanding. Respondents with an ecocentric attitude towards nature or with affinity towards the representation of wilderniss are more likely to have a negative attitude towards hunting then respondents with different views on nature.

Individual factors like age, gender and membership of an environmental organisation do not have a statistical relationship with either views on nature or attitudes towards hunting. A small statistical relationship was found between gender and attitude towards hunting, but this relationship was too small to make any statements. Views on nature and hunting could rather be seen as a snapshot in a process of constantly changing wishes and convictions towards nature. Spatial factors, such as origin, work sector and membership of an association with activities in nature also do not have a statistical relationshop with with either views on nature or attitudes towards hunting.

This does not directly mean that individual and spatial factors do not influence views on nature. Views on nature will always interact with the living and working environment. The role of context plays an important part. A person living in the big city and working in the service sector does not by definition have a different view on nature than a person living in a rural area working in the agricultural sector. A combination of measurable and non-measurable factors complete the puzzle. In order to gain more insights on this matter it is desirable to perform additional qualitative research.