A new Michigan State University study, authored by University Programs Fellow Dr. Jacob Hill, Dr. Kenneth F. Kellner, and Dr. Jerrold L. Belant (Boone and Crockett Chair of Wildlife Conservation), shows that regulated sport hunting can be a powerful driver of wildlife recovery and biodiversity.

A peer-reviewed study published in Nature Sustainability reveals that mammal species hunted primarily for sport have significantly better conservation statuses than those that are not hunted for sport. The findings offer a compelling, data-driven counter-narrative to modern criticisms of hunting, supporting that when wildlife is valued for sport, populations are more likely to thrive.

The Science 

The study, “Sport hunting associated with favourable conservation status of mammals,” was led by Dr. Jacob E. Hill, alongside Kenneth F. Kellner and Jerrold L. Belant. They analyzed 1,677 terrestrial mammal species worldwide, using data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The team categorized species based on their primary use: those hunted for sport, those hunted for food, those hunted for both, and those hunted for neither. The study found that species hunted for sport were significantly less likely to be listed as threatened and to exhibit declining population trends than species that were not hunted for sport.

Specifically, while 55 percent of species hunted primarily for food were categorized as threatened, only 34 percent of sport-hunted species fell into that category. Statistical modeling showed that being a sport-hunted species was a strong predictor of stability. In other words, these species were positively associated with "favorable conservation statuses"—meaning they were less likely to be threatened with extinction and their populations were stable or increasing rather than declining.

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Revenue, Habitat, and Stewardship

Why does harvesting an animal help save its species? The authors point to the specific mechanisms that make sport hunting a unique conservation tool: regulation and revenue.

Unlike unregulated harvests for wild meat, which are often driven by necessity or market demand and can lead to overexploitation, sport hunting is generally highly regulated. The authors noted that revenue generated from sport hunting—including regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and Asia—is often funneled back into local communities and conservation agencies. This funding supports infrastructure, healthcare, and vital anti-poaching initiatives, creating a tangible economic incentive for communities to coexist with and protect wildlife.

Perhaps most importantly, the study highlights the role of habitat. Sport hunting requires vast tracts of quality habitat. Researchers found that in sub-Saharan Africa, the total land area maintained for sport hunting is more than double that of national parks. By securing these landscapes against development and agriculture, sport hunting creates a “shield” that benefits not just the game species but the entire ecosystem.

Distinguishing Sport from Subsistence

The research also drew a critical distinction between sport hunting and hunting for food, often referred to as subsistence harvest. The study defined sport hunting as hunting in which the primary motivation is recreation or the chase, even if the meat is consumed afterward.

While sport hunting was linked to positive outcomes, the commercial or subsistence harvest of wild meat did not show the same clear benefits. The demand for wild meat can lead to overexploitation, with more than 300 mammal species currently at risk of extinction due to hunting for food. However, the authors noted that even in these cases, the primary driver of decline is often habitat loss, not just the harvest itself.

The study also observed that sport hunting targets different demographics. Sport hunters typically pursue larger species (mostly over 20 kg/44 pounds) and harvest specific individuals (trophies), whereas food harvest impacts species of all sizes. Because sport hunting is "driven by recreation rather than necessity," it is managed for sustainability, preventing the "downgrading" of target sizes often seen in unregulated markets.

A Model for the Future

This research offers support for the core principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and extends its logic to a global scale. It suggests that when wildlife has both cultural and economic value, it is better protected.

Beyond just population numbers, sport hunting can also contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including ending poverty, improving food security, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

The study includes a caveat that aligns with the Boone and Crockett Club’s emphasis on Fair Chase and ethics: for sport hunting to be effective, it must be well-managed. The authors stress that benefits are maximized when harvest quotas are based on reliable science and when Indigenous and local communities are integrated into decision-making and benefit-sharing.

As the world faces increasing biodiversity loss, their analysis serves as a reminder that hunter-conservationists can be effective stewards of wildlife and wild places. When specific criteria are met, the study notes, “...sport hunting may be a component of sustainable wildlife management, which may have additional benefits of generating revenue, promoting environmental stewardship and protecting biodiversity.”