The Collision of Tradition, Technology, and Capitalism in American Hunting Culture

Abstract

While hunter numbers have been declining for several decades, recent data suggest there is strong demand for hunting opportunities. Big game hunting remains the most popular type of hunting. The social context of big game hunting is rapidly changing due to evolving technological advancements and the forces of capitalism, yet many state wildlife agencies have been slow to respond to these changes. Using Ogburn's cultural lag theory, this essay discusses how the forces of technology and capitalism are affecting big game hunting. The hunting industry aggressively markets new technologies and products to hunters. Some of these new advancements and practices threaten the hunting heritage by giving hunters an unfair advantage and undermining the concept of fair chase, contribute to the depletion of wildlife populations on public land, and suggest that costly accessories are necessary for a good hunting experience. Implications of these practices for recreational hunting are discussed.

Keywords

big game / capitalism / cultural lag / hunting / technology

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RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2025 The Author(s). Wildlife Letters published by Northeast Forestry University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.