The Political Dimensions of Illegal Wolf Hunting: Anti‐Elitism, Lack of Trust in Institutions and Acceptance of Illegal Wolf Killing among Norwegian Hunters

Qualitative studies have indicated that the illegal killing of wolves is often attributed a protest dimension. However, we have limited knowledge about the factors that impact this judgement. The present study investigates views on illegal wolf killing among Norwegian hunters and connects these view...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inSociologia ruralis Vol. 60; no. 3; pp. 551 - 573
Main Authors Skogen, Ketil, Krange, Olve
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.07.2020
Subjects
Canis lupus
counterpublicst
Crime
Elitism
Hunting
illegal hunting
infrapolitics
Institutions
Killing
Legitimacy
Management
Norway
Offenses
Power
Qualitative research
Resistance
Rural areas
Rural communities
Rural schools
Subaltern identities
Wolves
Worldview
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Qualitative studies have indicated that the illegal killing of wolves is often attributed a protest dimension. However, we have limited knowledge about the factors that impact this judgement. The present study investigates views on illegal wolf killing among Norwegian hunters and connects these views to background factors, hunting cultures, anti‐elitism and the legitimacy of environmental institutions, probing the existence of a ‘counterpublic’ where killing wolves is seen as justified resistance. Only a minority tolerated the activity, but compared to other hunting‐related offences, killing a wolf illegally was seen as ‘not serious’ by the largest group. Hunters with limited education, living in rural areas, and who were motivated by a ‘tradition and stewardship’ ethos when hunting, were more inclined to accept illegal killing. Anti‐elitism and lack of trust in environmental institutions were even stronger predictors. We conclude that hunting‐related issues are not among the prime drivers of support for illegal wolf hunting. Rather, it is typically part of a worldview that reflects a rural subaltern experience, comprising elements of cultural resistance. While the political dimension is not always articulated, overlooking it and treating illegal killing simply as ‘crime’ may stoke conflicts and fortify an understanding of power relations that already drives resistance.
ISSN:0038-0199
1467-9523
DOI:10.1111/soru.12309