National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Trophy hunting of wolves, grizzly bears, and cougars may endanger hunters as well as the animals they target, a new study suggests.

Trophy Hunters eroding social license

The eroding social licence in B.C. to hunt large predators for sport rather than sustenance threatens public support for the majority of hunters, most of whom don’t endorse trophy hunting, said lead author Chris Darimont.

“The minority of hunters who kill predators for trophy can tarnish the food-hunting majority,” said Darimont, science director at Raincoast Conservation Foundation and a professor at the University of Victoria.

The research team explored how the public, much influenced by social media, is increasingly intolerant of the trophy hunting of large charismatic carnivores in North America and Europe. Poor social licence, in turn, increases pressure on politicians and other stakeholders to align policy with wider societal values.

Polls in B.C. consistently show strong public opposition — more than 80 per cent — to trophy hunting, even in rural areas and among hunters, Darimont said.

10% of population hunt for food

Hunters make up about 10 per cent of B.C.’s population, and only a small number of that group kill large carnivores as trophies, he added.

But public distaste for trophy hunting could hamstring hunting organizations’ ability to partner with other stakeholder groups on important conservation initiatives, such as the preservation of wildlife habitat, Darimont said.

British Columbians generally support hunting for food, viewed as a healthy activity that connects people to nature and fosters the next generation of environmentalists, Darimont said, noting he is a hunter himself.

Conversely, strong opposition to trophy hunting is based around ethical and animal welfare concerns, he said.

“The public think it’s cruel, they think it’s wasteful, and they think it’s unnecessary,” Darimont said.

“That’s why we see such different levels of support for hunting something like a deer versus something like a wolf or a mountain lion.”

And science showing populations of large carnivores aren’t threatened by trophy hunting is entirely beside the point, Darimont said.

“Science might be important in estimating whether there are enough wolves to kill,” he said.

“But only societal values and attitudes can give insights into whether trophy hunting is an activity that is tolerated by us.”

The B.C. government’s decision to ban grizzly bear hunting in 2018 is just one case study in how policy change is provoked by social licence, Darimont said.

“The hunt was banned, not because there was concern too many bears were being killed,” he said.