It is fair to say that most R3 programs and research have focused on the first “R,” recruitment. Yet we know from consumer research it is much easier to retain a customer than to recruit a new one. That truism – coupled with the fact that the largest, most committed cohort of hunters (i.e., Baby Boomers) have reached the period of aging out – was the impetus for a recent project of the Wildlife Management Institute, partnering with Southwick Associates and DJ Case & Associates. This project focused on active and lapsed hunters aged 50 and older in the Midwest to explore current and future barriers to hunting, what events caused people to stop hunting, and what options state wildlife management agencies might be able to employ to sustain participation by this cohort. The objective of this study was to identify potential ways for agencies to address barriers to participation among older hunters.

Policy Findings

Early Adoption: 90% of all hunters (active and lapsed) started hunting before age 21. Early recruitment is critical for long-term participation. Late-start hunters were extremely rare in this population.

Older hunters are phasing out the activity for variety of reasons. Some cite the loss of a faithful hunting dog as a factor in dropping out.

Justin Kraemer, Flickr

Multigenerational: Because hunters who successfully engage their children or grandchildren in hunting stay active longer, it may be worthwhile to initiate hunting programs targeted at parent-child and grandparent-grandchild groups that: 1) keep older hunters active (i.e., retention) and 2) recruit children and grandchildren at an early age (i.e., recruitment).

Complexity & Expenses: While regulatory complexity is often cited as frustrating to hunters and a possible reason they quit, our results suggest it is not a widespread issue. Cost is also not a major factor for why people quit hunting. However, our research suggests that providing reduced-cost licenses may help bring some lapsed hunters back.

Chronic Wasting Disease: Concerns about CWD-infected venison were higher for active (22%) than lapsed (10%) hunters. This indicates the issue is on their radar, but ultimately not a reason people stop deer hunting. Similarly, CWD regulations were not viewed as overly burdensome by a strong majority of hunters.

Private Land Access: Most of the land in the Midwest (where the study was conducted) is private, and many people are hunting on private land with permission. Access to private lands for hunting becomes more important as hunters age and public lands become more crowded.

Mobility Access: Improving access to trails, hunting areas, blinds, or stands could reactivate many of the older lapsed hunters. ATVs and specialized mobility equipment are widely viewed as essential tools. Track chairs were also frequently mentioned but are often cost prohibitive without assistance programs. There are many other types of mobility devices available that can go over rough terrain. Agencies should consider allowing older hunters to use those to access hunting areas.

Social Support: Many participants described how aging disrupts traditional hunting partnerships, including having children/grandchildren that move away, losing long-time hunting partners that pass away or reduce their own activity, or relocation of the respondent to another state, breaking social ties similar to losing a hunting partner. Structured or automated systems to connect older hunters with partners or groups would likely help retain older active hunters and reactivate older lapsed hunters. Matching hunters who need partners, transportation, or assistance surfaced as a factor for quitting repeatedly during this study.

Loss of Hunting Dog: Similarly to losing a hunting partner or other social support, 23% of active and 24% of lapsed pheasant hunters cited loss of their hunting dog as an influencing factor for continuing to hunt. Similar automated systems that match hunters up with others who have dogs would likely help retain older active hunters and reactivate older lapsed hunters.

Hunting Opportunity: Creating more hunting opportunities is not the solution for retaining older hunters. The real barriers include access, social connections, and physical mobility.

Increasing Age ≠ Can’t Participate: Participants broadly reject the assumption that aging automatically leads to disengagement.

The complete report can be obtained from author Lou Cornicelli at lou@southwickassociates.com.

Cornicelli, L., Holsman, R., Moritz, B., Gassett, J., & Thompson, N. (2025). We all quit, but it doesn’t have to be today. Wildlife Management Institute, Cabot, VT. Technical Report of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Multistate Conservation Grant Program. Grant F25AP00119.