More and more women in Sweden choose to buy hunting licenses, and the trend shows no signs of abating.
Among other things, a great interest in dogs is believed to be behind the increase, together with targeted efforts from hunting associations.
– You want to understand your connection with nature and where you come from. Hunting is our oldest cultural heritage, says Solveig Larsson, chairman of the National Association of Hunters.
Hunting has traditionally been a male-dominated activity, but in the last two decades there has been a clear change.
Solveig Larsson is the confederation chairman of the National Federation of Hunters. She lives outside Umeå and has been hunting since childhood. This year is her fortieth moose hunt.
Almost 20 years ago, there were roughly 14,000 women who bought a state hunting license. The number has risen significantly, and during the last hunting year a new record was broken with over 23,000 female hunters. This means that the proportion of women among those who redeem hunting licenses is now approaching 10 percent.
– We as hunting organizations have had a particular focus on helping women to dare to get into hunting, says Solveig Larsson.
“Seeing a change in society”
Some counties also stand out in the statistics. Jämtland topped the list last hunting year with 15 percent female hunters, followed by Västerbotten with 12 percent, and Dalarna and Västernorrland, where the proportion of female hunters was 11 percent.
At the same time, other figures show that more and more women are also taking hunting qualifications. In 2023, 26.7 percent of those who passed the theory test were women. Something that indicates that the female presence in hunting will continue to increase.
– It has been, and still is, male-dominated, but we are seeing a change in society, says Solveig Larsson.
The dog beckons
And there is someone who can also attract to the hunt.
– There is a great interest in dogs, and the dog likes to hunt. Then you become interested in it yourself. Many women, especially from urban areas, come in that way, says Solveig Larsson.