Hunting is becoming more feminine

Women …

Current figures show: Hunting in Lower Austria is becoming more female. "For women, hunting is a passion," says the Secretary General of the Lower Austrian Hunting Association.

Last year, 249 new young female hunters - i.e. those who go stalking in the first three years after their hunting exam - were the highest ever number. Currently, the proportion of domestic female hunters is 10.8 percent. "They want to preserve habitats, contribute to healthy game populations and harvest game. For women, hunting is a passion," emphasizes Sylvia Scherhaufer, Secretary General of the Lower Austrian Hunting Association. Central motives are a love of nature and an interest in wild animals and natural contexts. 

Almost half of the women go stalking at least once, a quarter even several times a week. From the perspective of the young female hunters, the craft of hunting primarily serves to preserve wildlife habitats and maintain an appropriate, species-rich and healthy game population. A survey by the Gallup Institute (2021) and feedback from hunting courses also confirm that imparting knowledge about hunting, game and nature as well as obtaining top-quality game is a priority. 

Women at official level
Sylvia Scherhaufer is just one of the women who is increasing the proportion of women in the male domain. Women are represented on the board, committee and committee substitutes, according to a press release from the Lower Austrian Hunting Association.