We all know that hunter numbers are down and the need to replenish them is crucial. There are many groups integral to the effort including females, kids, adults, and minorities. Admittedly, there is some overlap there.
There is yet another pivotal group that will play a big role in sustaining, if not rescuing the precious past time of hunting. Millennials. Wait, what? you say. It’s true.
Millennials (Generation Y) often get a bad rap from the older generations and, at first thought, one would not consider them to be hunting-friendly. Currently aged 25-40, this group is often described as entrepreneurial and challengers of hierarchy. They’re responsible for such things as ping pong tables in office work spaces and the demise of the traditional taxi cab. On the other hand, they’re also touted as free-thinking and creative individuals that like to learn new things.
Whatever the definition, a healthy contingent of them is finding time between coffee house internet surfing and Netflix binging to hit the woods with a weapon in hand.
Like any other group, there are arguably two main subgroups of millennial hunters: those that were raised as outdoorsmen and those who have taken it up during early adulthood. Luckily, the former are great candidates for introducing the latter to hunting and the outdoor lifestyle. The latter group is most apt to view and approach hunting in new ways.
You can bet your ethically-sourced coffee beans that both are having a profound impact on the hunting community at a time when it’s sorely needed.
Millennial hunters have different experience levels and are adept at celebrating and promoting hunting and the outdoors.
Take Pennsylvania hunter, George Konetes. A writer, pastor, and adult-onset hunter. A few years back, Konetes started his New Hunter’s Guide podcast, welcoming new hunters into the mix by laying out the basic styles, concepts, and gear needed to start. Why? Largely because when he decided to tackle hunting, it took a lot of trial and error in the field, as well as laborious research.
Konetes (36), now a more seasoned sportsman, shares his experience and provides a positive gateway for others to embrace the outdoor lifestyle.
“When I tried to start hunting, I couldn’t find much of substance to help me break into the sport at an introductory level. Years later, I started the New Hunters Guide podcast to give people what I wish I had in the beginning – practical step-by-step information on how to start hunting different types of game“, said Konetes.
Talk about a productive undertaking for the hunting community.
Emergent hunters start from scratch which can be a daunting undertaking. It takes repetition and continuous new learning. That’s why Konetes didn’t tap the brakes on his project.
A header from one of Konetes’ many educational hunting podcasts.
“After about 3-years and over 150 episodes, I am still breaking ground on new kinds of hunting to help newer hunters up their game season after season”.
As for millennial hunters that were raised on hunting, there’s no better example than Parker McDonald of the Southern Ground Outdoors Podcast. McDonald had the opportunity to go on his first hunt at age 7, as well as see his father take 2 bucks on the trip (his first deer). Like many in the millennial age group, McDonald takes an open approach to communicate the topic of hunting on his podcast and other platforms. It’s both educational and inclusive.
“It’s not about antler inches, gear, public, or private land. It’s the experience and the memories that count”, said McDonald.
He continued, “As I’ve become more efficient and experienced with hunting, it has come more natural. Consequently, I aim to inspire others to embrace the challenges and camaraderie associated with it”.
Like many accomplished sportsmen, McDonald (now 30) shares his outdoor experiences with a noticeable vitality. Here, entertainment meets creativity; and ultimately, learning.
“Those of us lucky enough to be exposed to hunting early have a unique opportunity to reach and relate to other millennials, as well as the Gen Z group.”
McDonald following a successful whitetail hunt.
Then there is the technology aspect of it. Our millennial brothers and sisters are particularly adept at it. Heck, many of them were practically born into it. Technology is ultra-available and millennials are skilled at promoting hunting via the various digital platforms available to the hunting demographic.
“We understand the benefits of technology in the hunting space – and it’s is all the Gen Z group knows. In terms of hunting and the outdoors, it’s a good chance to leverage it”, he continued.
This means millennials arguably have the most street cred in the outdoor space, as evidenced by the multitude of media they employ; Hunting YouTube channels, podcasts, and blogs, all teaching hunting, scouting, conservation, and the outdoor culture.
While I don’t share the exact mindset with many millennials, I have to admit, they’re filling a void and creating a fresh perspective for hunters, both current and prospective. Also, they’ve taught me a few important things about hunting and the outdoors – or at least reminded me of things I’ve lost sight of. Here are a few of them.
The Importance of Wild Game Food
Sure, I’ve appreciated wild game food for decades. It doesn’t change the fact that our younger hunting collective does an outstanding job of celebrating the harvest via wild game cooking. It’s not only revived the idea of sourcing your own food from the land but it’s also been a great way to attract more sportsmen to the fold. In recognizing this, the National Deer Association’s (NDA) Field to Fork movement established cooking and hunting classes specifically to target the millennial culture – young people who already wish to reduce their intake of mass-produced foods.
Inspired by the “Will Hunt for Food” mentality, the Hunt to Eat community preaches harvesting wild game as food.
This health-conscious food-obsessed bunch is a good focusing point in response to our declining hunter numbers. It’s as if wild game as food is a gateway drug for hunters.
Popular brands like Hunt to Eat celebrate the wild game harvesting and eating mentality. With a strong position in the hunting and outdoor niche, this company, popular with 20 and 30-somethings, is rocking it on social media and in lifestyle apparel sales. Their mission boldly promotes conservation, wild game food, and hunter inclusion – In fact, it yells it from the mountain top. In short, Hunt to Eat is built upon three pillars: community, real food, and conservation. A short excerpt reads, “By community, we mean the folks that go outdoors, harvest wild meat, plants, or fungi, and take these things home to be cooked with care for themselves or their friends and family.” It goes on to say, “This community is not defined by race, politics, education, wealth, or gender; it’s simply a human community.”
That’s a pretty good message.
Trading avocado toast for venison poppers, this demographic has also reminded us of the health benefits associated with free-range organic meat – something I had started to take for granted. The health aspect of self-sourced free-range game represents another righteous justification for hunting, one that we can all keep in our hip pocket. This comes in handy when defending it or recruiting new folks into the outdoor mix.
While I’ve eaten wild game for a long time, it started with a lot of fried venison, ketchup, and gravy. Don’t get me wrong, those were delicious. It was also redundant. However, the younger locavore crowd has embraced more creative cooking methods. I’ve got to admit, this newfound appreciation for wild game preparation and cooking has coaxed me into trying some new dishes and cooking methods over the last few years.
Suburban Hunting
Not all urban hunters are millennials and visa-versa. Likewise, I have no proof that the culture introduced the idea. Nevertheless, hunters in this demographic have taken on and promoted the idea of hunting deer in urban and suburban settings. This approach provides a fresh alternative – and an added opportunity to hunt. Put differently, it provides a partial solution to the hunter access issue. As such, suburban hunting has become a hit on social media. A good example is the Urban Deer Complex 2.0, a collection of young hunters that celebrate hunting adventures near metropolitan areas.
Suffice to say, I’ve now stuck my toe into suburban hunting waters and find it to be a fun and unique challenge.
Understanding the Current State of Conservation
Okay, this one is a big feather in the cap of the millennial hunter. While they didn’t come up with the conservation movement, they’ve educated themselves, picked up the ball, and ran with it. It should come as no surprise as this group is known for their care for the earth. Best of all, gaining new hunters that understand that hunting is good for wildlife conservation is a coop. This bunch is clearly the right tool for the job.
As a long-time hunter, I’ve always prided myself on being a proponent of conservation – while lazily sitting on the sideline. My knowledge of our conservation history, predicament, and future had gotten stagnant. Mainstream groups such as Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) have reignited the issue for old farts like me and forced me to further educate myself. Well-represented by millennials (34% of their membership), BHA is a force in advancing positive change for the heritage and future of hunting, fishing, and our public lands.
These efforts represent a needed shot in the arm, as they are in direct support and promotion of the fundamental need to keep accessibility to our public lands in the hands of our public citizens – a notion that has been teetering. Threats include drilling, underfunding, and even privatization of some of these magnificent wild spaces. The need for a collective understanding of the issues at hand is crucial and millennials represent a strong contingent to implement change.
There are other examples too. The husband-and-wife team of Marshall and Sammie Seedorff established Wild Rivers Coffee Company. Both avid hunters and outdoorsmen, their brand isn’t just about good craft coffee. Rather, it is rooted in the promotion of conservation.
“Sammie and I have shared some epic hikes, hunts, and fishing trips. We’ve built our relationship upon a foundation of an appreciation of nature. We believe in preserving the wild places and wild things that bring us so much joy”, said Seedorff.
For good measure, 2% of all Wild River Coffee sold is given to targeted conservation organizations such as The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Ducks Unlimited.
Wild Rivers Coffee Company founds Sammie and Marshall Seedorff on one of their outdoor adventures.
These are just a couple of examples of the interest the millennial demographic has in conservation.
Perspective
Not to generalize, but many millennial hunters see the outdoors through a different lens than I do. They have a profound appreciation for the aforementioned preparation and enjoyment of wild game meat, as well as enjoying nature.
It’s easy to say, “all I need is a cool breeze and pretty sunset and my hunting experience is complete”. Many hunters of this contingent (especially the adult-onset subset) mean it – and preach it. There is a much lesser “trophy hunting mentality” and more appreciation for killing does and modest-antlered bucks.
While I too enjoy gifts from the hunt that has nothing to do with the kill, I admittedly seek the biggest antlered deer I can find. Still, the reborn mentality of many millennials is refreshing – and good for hunting.
Final Thoughts
While the image of gun and bow-toting hipsters is something I never saw coming, it’s a positive development. Over 70-million strong, this seemingly unlikely culture is a viable solution to our slowly waning hunting tradition. However, it should come as no surprise. Much of the twenty and thirty-something crowd will declare their disdain for desk jobs and more and more of them are doing something about it by getting outside any chance they get. The millennial culture inherently finds value in going outdoors and they do so with vigor. Once discovered, the lifestyle, benefits, and challenges of hunting are low-hanging fruit.
Indeed, the millennial collective has taught me a thing or two about the state of the hunting landscape and culture – and about myself as a sportsman. Somebody needed to do it
