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.

Among the order Carnivora, there is variation in the extent to which species form social groups. Typically, such variation is often studied in the context of a single variable that may impact behavior. However, the multiple interacting processes that drive plastic behaviors such as sociality and space use are likely to operate over multiple temporal and spatial scales. To quantify the relative impacts of different drivers requires an integration of the different processes across the scales at which they operate. Here we use piecewise structural equation modeling (piecewise SEM) to quantify the direct and indirect impacts of variables on behaviors including social grouping, reproduction, and space use. We analyze the role of phylogeny, environment, and community structure on sociality. Home range, social group size, and diet were shown to be most strongly influenced by life history variables, whereas reproductive output was most strongly impacted by variation in the environment.

Land use change in prairie ecosystems is pervasive. Prairie obligate species may be affected by these changes, though many carnivore-specific examples are unknown. We used 3 years (2018–2020) of camera-trap (n = 381) data from Kansas, USA, to assess multiscale effects of landscape composition on habitat use by American badgers (badger, Taxidea taxus). We predicted that site occupancy and colonization would be positively associated with the amount of prairie surrounding sites. We also predicted that site occupancy and colonization would be negatively related to amounts of agriculture and the number of wind towers surrounding sites. Badgers were insensitive to amounts of prairie surrounding sites and likely to occupy and colonize sites surrounded by row-crop agriculture. Badgers were also less likely to occupy sites farther from permanent water. Badgers may be exploiting agricultural areas because of increased prey densities or suitable burrowing substrates. Moreover, our study highlights the importance of water resources to badgers in arid regions.

Law enforcement is essential for effective wildlife conservation. In Nigeria, enforcing wildlife laws faces significant challenges, primarily due to limited knowledge among officials. This study assessed these challenges in Oyo and Lagos States, focusing on the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and Immigration Service (NIS). Data from structured surveys and interviews were analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and thematic methods. Findings revealed limited awareness of wildlife laws, with NESREA and NCS showing the highest knowledge levels. Compared to Oyo State, agencies in Lagos reported more experience with wildlife crime cases, and a significant positive relationship existed between officials' knowledge and experience handling such cases. These findings highlight the need for government action to address enforcement challenges and provide targeted training, ensuring agencies are equipped to enforce wildlife laws as legislation is strengthened.

Amidst the global biodiversity crisis, conserving endangered species like musk deer (Moschus spp.) is crucial. China holds the highest musk deer diversity worldwide, with abundant populations, wide distribution, and significant musk production. We reviewed the morphology, population trends, distribution, conservation status, captive breeding, and related challenges of musk deer to inform targeted conservation strategies. Currently, wild musk deer populations are primarily distributed in western, central, and northeastern regions of China. Over the past seven decades, illegal hunting and habitat fragmentation have caused severe population declines, reducing most populations by over 97% since the 1950s. To alleviate pressure on wild populations and promote sustainable resource use, China initiated captive breeding of musk deer in 1958, resulting in a 5.6-fold increase in captive musk deer from the 1990s to the 2020s. However, challenges like serious diseases hinder further expansion of artificial musk production. Given the limitations of both in situ and ex situ conservation, it is advised to establish or optimize natural reserves in musk deer habitat. Strengthening law enforcement, population monitoring, ecological research, captive breeding, reintroduction, and public awareness is essential for global musk deer conservation.