Gen Z seeks offline experience with violence

Interest in hobby hunting in Germany remains undiminished.

Gen Z are digital natives who have been familiar with the internet, gaming consoles and social networks from an early age. Now they want to combine virtual with offline experiences.

Last year, 21’104 men and women passed the state hobby hunter examination, as the German Hobby Hunting Association announced on 6 May 2025 in Berlin.

This was the third-highest figure in 75 years. The number of hunting examinations was only higher in 2022 with 23’713 and in 2023 with 22’248.

Over the past 20 years, the number of participants has nearly doubled. The frontrunner in 2024 was Lower Saxony with more than 5’400 participants — that was one in four. In Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg too, many people wish to obtain a hunting licence, with more than 2’200 sitting the examination in each. However, just over one fifth (21%) of candidates fail on their first attempt.

The multi-day examination consists of a written, oral and practical component. The training encompasses approximately 120 hours of theory and 30 hours of practical work. Subject areas on the curriculum include wildlife biology, hunting practice, knowledge of firearms, dog handling, meat hygiene, and the law relating to hunting, weapons, animal welfare and nature conservation. The hobby hunter training costs an average of 2’200 euros.

Passing the examination is only one prerequisite for the hunting licence, which must be applied for at the relevant authority. This is followed by, among other things, reliability checks conducted by the police and the domestic intelligence service. In addition, a police certificate of good conduct must be submitted, as well as, upon request, a certificate of personal suitability.

The «Green Abitur»

Nature lovers actively enjoy beautiful experiences in nature without executing wildlife to feel good about themselves. There are countless admirable people who also use, care for, and nurture nature – performing sustainable, selfless work with the fire brigade, civil protection, animal welfare, Bergwaldprojekt, building dry stone walls, maintaining biotopes, completing farm services, roe deer fawn rescue, wildlife stations, etc. None of them would ever think of demanding a violent sacrifice in the form of a living being in return, as hobby hunters do.

The fact that the unethical «Green Abitur» is used – much like in a cult – to instil nonsense and unscientific drivel only becomes apparent to the graduate later on.

Anyone who obtains a hunting licence always receives two things: a licence to kill and a licence to become stupefied.

Further reading:

• Game meat: Natural, healthy – or dangerous?
• Game meat from hobby hunters? – Carrion on the plate!
• Studies indicate health risks associated with the consumption of game meat
• Diet: The civilised palate
• Game meat from hunters is carrion
• Game meat cannot be organic
• Meat from wild animals is not organic game
• Dementia: How harmful is venison?
• Venison makes you sick
• Lead residues in game meat products
• Game meat: Risks, lead and hunting myths
• Warning: Caution regarding game meat from hobby hunters
• Hunters also lie when selling meat