Psychology of hobby hunters: Motives and violence

Recreational hunting is often portrayed as tradition or nature conservation. From a psychological perspective, however, the question arises as to what motives and justifications lie behind a voluntary act of killing and what societal consequences this might have.

Wild beim Wild Editorial Team — 6 January 2026

Recreational hunting is frequently portrayed as a cultural tradition or as a contribution to nature conservation.

From a psychological perspective, however, a different question arises: What motives drive people to voluntarily kill animals, and what internal justifications are necessary for this? Research on motivation, empathy and violence provides insights that have hardly been discussed publicly thus far.

Hobby hunters report a deep connection to the wilderness.

Psychologists describe recreational hunting as natural stress management: tranquillity in nature, concentration on the environment and the moment of presence are said to work like a meditative practice. However, a deeply spiritual and meditative person would hardly go recreational hunting. This behaves like repulsive forces between the poles of magnets.

Many hobby hunters experience intense adrenaline and endorphin releases during these hours, comparable to extreme sports athletes.

However, the motivation is not always clear-cut. Studies show that hobby hunters do not act solely from connection to nature, but also from pleasure in the act of killing or for self-presentation.

The so-called 'Dark Triad personality traits' — narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy — emerge. Trophy hunters who kill rare animals or particularly large specimens use recreational hunting as a status symbol.

The debate is also a reflection of society upon itself. Hobby hunters embody a form of behavior that can trigger revulsion.

Ethics between tradition and criticism

Hobby hunters argue that they kill animals quickly and painlessly and subsequently pay respect to certain species. Food procurement and nature regulation serve as justifications. Critics see this differently: killing for thrills or pleasure undermines the moral claim of recreational hunting. Psychologists emphasize that in such cases empathy is often rationalized or disconnected to avoid moral conflicts.

Societally, reception is ambivalent. While meat procurement by hobby hunters may still be accepted, recreational hunting for pleasure or trophy motives is heavily criticized. Ethics, law and personal motivation exist in a field of tension that is increasingly being answered scientifically. Recreational hunting is not a cultural achievement. Recreational hunting refers to hunting as a leisure activity and not as a necessary activity for survival or pure pest control.

The hobby hunting community is often critically examined, particularly by hunting-critical organizations, which seek to emphasize that wild animals are killed even though it is not strictly necessary from a scientific perspective. Many animal species respond to recreational hunting with increased reproductive activity. Hobby hunters therefore do not regulate, but manipulate, terrorize and torment wild animals.

Legal framework

In most countries, recreational hunting is subject to strict regulations. Hunting laws stipulate when, how and which animals may be killed. Violations, such as trophy hunting without permits, shooting outside season or use of prohibited weapons, can result in heavy fines, hunting bans or even imprisonment. However, the law does not regulate the inner motives of a hobby hunter: whether shooting occurs from tradition, for sustenance or for pleasure remains legally untouchable. For wildlife biological reasons, 95% of the hunting quota requires no regulation.

With the return of wolves and lynx, the discussion has been reignited: some see this as an alternative to recreational hunting. Politically, recreational hunting continues to be permitted and strictly regulated; complete bans find little support, but demands for restrictions (less feeding, more nature conservation, shorter hunting seasons) are increasing.

Since February 1, 2025, for example, a ban on night hunting of wild boar in forests has been in effect in Switzerland — hunting is no longer permitted there between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. The goal: more peace for wild animals, particularly at night. Animal welfare organizations welcome this measure; hunting associations and farmers, however, accuse the law of harmful consequences. The absurd persecution of predators (e.g. fox, badger, marten) is however still permitted at night.

Recreational hunting not only has no cultural and hardly any economic significance, but also has serious ecological consequences. Anyone who loves nature should be aware that every disturbance, even seemingly small ones, has direct impacts on animal life. A balanced hunting management system like in Canton Geneva is therefore crucial for preserving biodiversity and natural tranquility in our forests. Studies and nature observations show that biodiversity in Geneva has increased since the hunting ban. The model is now predominantly viewed as a success in Geneva. It serves as proof that wildlife does not necessarily need to be regulated through recreational hunting. Conflicts can be resolved through professional intervention by wildlife wardens. It is more ethically defensible to kill animals only when truly necessary. Geneva and many other examples show that a hunting ban does not automatically end in chaos, on the contrary: biodiversity and stable populations are possible.

In the chaos that nature finds itself in after decades of unscientific management and care by recreational hunters, it is not surprising that more and more stakeholders are complaining.

The IG Wild beim Wild provides a critical perspective: recreational hunters are not portrayed as categorically evil, but their psyche, motives and self-perception are questioned. Questions about morality, responsibility and social acceptance remain open and are raised anew with each hunting season.

More on this in the dossier: Psychology of Hunting

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