PUBLIC OPINION OF HUNTING

"A 1993 West Virginia poll conducted by Ryan-McGinn-Samples
Research for the Charleston Daily Mail, the Associated Press, and
WSAZ-TV found that 79 percent of the public approved of
hunting. A Minnesota poll conducted by the Minneapolis Star
Tribune found that 72 percent of state residents agreed with the
statement that hunting is "a natural activity for
people". [p.119]

"Stephan Kellert's research in the late 1970s and early 1980s
found that about 60 percent of the general population was opposed
to sport hunting, but only 20 percent was opposed to hunting for
meat. Sixty-four percent of Kellert's respondents felt that
hunting for meat and recreation was acceptable."

(Stephen R. Kellert. "Attitudes and Characteristics of Hunters
and Antihunters" [transactions of the 43rd North American
Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, 1978] pp.412-423.)

"A poll is only as good as the questions asked and the sample
polled. ...views can vary considerably from region to
region. Urban areas... seem to have the highest opposition to
hunting, while rural areas... have the greatest supporters."

"A Los Angeles Times poll in December 1993 reported that 54
percent of the respondents opposed hunting for sport..."

"Most national studies show about a 50-50 split in prohunting and
antihunting opinions, but the results are significantly
influenced by the actual words used in the questions. The use of
the term "sport" increases bias in surveys..."

"A 1990 Gallup Poll of one thousand Americans asked the question:
"Certain animal rights groups want a total ban on all types of
hunting. Do you support or oppose this goal?" Of the respondents,
77 percent opposed this goal. The poll found that 72 percent did
have at least some respect for the positions which animal rights
activists take, but 90 percent opposed hunter harassment. And
when asked about their overall attitudes towards animal rights
activitists, only 7 percent agreed with what the animal rights
groups are trying to accomplish and approve of how they are going
about it." [pp.162-163]

---
James A. Swan. 1995. "In Defense of Hunting". HarperCollins
Publishers, New York. ISBN 0-06-251237-4