A new national survey shows 72 percent of Americans approve of hunting. About the same percentage approves of legal recreational shooting.

The annual Americans Attitudes Towards Hunting and Sport Shooting Report compiled survey results from more than 2,200 residents ages 18 and older across the United States.

"Regardless of their own opinions of the activities, over four-fifths of Americans agree that it is okay if other people go hunting or sport shooting in accordance with laws and regulations: 84 percent agree that it is okay for others to go hunting, and 82 percent agree that it is okay for others to go sport shooting," according to the survey, conducted by the research group Responsive Management.

Other notable findings:

• 82 percent approved of hunting to acquire meat

• 81 percent approved of hunting to get locally sourced food

• 80 percent approved hunting for the conservation of healthy wildlife populations

• Approval of hunting is highest in the Midwest (81%) and lowest in the Northeast (69%)

• Trends show an increase in approval of hunting predator species: black bear (46% in 2026 vs 42% in 2025), grizzly bear (45% vs 40%), mountain lion (42 vs. 30%) and wolf (41% vs 37%)

The survey's findings show that approval of hunting in 2026 is approximately the same as it was in 1995 while its highest recorded approval was at 81 percent in 2021.

About Hunt 2 Conserve

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org.