Demystifying the Huntress: Exploring the Experiences of Women Hunters in Eastern North Carolina

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Dominique Patrice Bragg-Holtfreter (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: The hunter occupies a special place in the system of human-animal interactions. When entering the natural world of wildlife each hunter learns to navigate this world in his or her own way. Hunters aid wildlife management agencies tangibly by maintaining a balance in wildlife populations and economically through hunting license fees , tags , stamps , and taxes from the sales of hunting weapons and equipment. Hunting participation in the United States has been declining over the past twenty years. However , the number of female hunters increased 25% between 2006 and 2011. The increasing concern for animal (wild and domesticate) welfare and the decreasing connectedness to nature makes the exploration of women hunters a critical component to creating a comprehensive understanding of human-animal relationships. This study explores how women hunters in Eastern North Carolina are engaging in and experiencing hunting and uncovering their thoughts and beliefs about hunting , wildlife , and the changing place of women in hunting. The sample includes 25 women hunters , living in Eastern North Carolina. The data are collected using a four part interview instrument; a semi-structured interview , an instrument to gather demographic information , and two structured components. Using the grounded theory approach to text analysis and the software application RStudio to conduct statistical analysis of qualitative and quantitative data , three main findings emerge; the culture of hunting that enables women's participation , women hunters' relationships with wildlife , and the changing perspectives about women who hunt. These findings can assist wildlife management agencies to improve their understanding of women hunters in hopes of further increasing female hunting participation , educating the general public about hunters and hunting in the US , and informing policy and planning for environmental and wildlife conservation.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2017

Keywords

attitudes, hunting and gender, wildlife, wildlife management, women hunters

Subjects

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