Consumption of Wild-Harvested Meat in Society

Wild-harvested meat, defined as meat obtained through legal hunting of free-ranging wildlife, has been part of the food system for most of human existence. Nonetheless, description and measurement of current roles wild-harvested meat plays in nonsubsistence communities is lacking. To better understand this system and inform policy choices, we sought to identify characteristics of consumers, their consumption patterns, and how wild-harvested meat is distributed through society including opportunities and barriers to consumption. As part of a longstanding quarterly telephone survey with standardized protocol aimed at providing statistically robust representations of the Michigan, USA, population, we asked questions about wild-harvested meat. We estimate a majority of the current Michigan population (75% [95% CI = 71-78%]) and nonhunter population (59% [95% CI = 54-65%]) have consumed wild-harvested meat at least once in their life. Never having had an opportunity (22% [95% CI = 15-30%]), diet or lifestyle (16% [95% CI = 10-24%]), and taste or smell (14% [95% CI = 9-20%]) were the 3 reasons most frequently reported by nonhunters for never consuming wild-harvested meat. Thirty-three wildlife species were reported consumed, of which venison was the most common (96% [95% CI = 94-98%]). Among the general population, frequency of consumption during the 12 months prior to our survey was as follows: 28% (95% CI = 25-32%) never had previously consumed venison; 23% (95% CI = 20-26%) reported having consumed it, but not in the 12 months prior to the survey; 20% (95% CI = 17-23%) had consumed it once or twice in the 12 months prior to the survey; 15% (95% CI = 12-18%) had consumed it 3-10 times in the 12 months prior to the survey; and 14% (95% CI = 12-17%) had consumed it >10 times in the 12 months prior to the survey. Hunters' social networks played a key role in distribution of wild-harvested meat. Hunting experience, social network, and race were the only influential predictors of wild-harvested meat consumption. Hunting experience, social network, and level of urbanization of residence were the only influential predictors of frequency of venison consumption. Results identified pathways for movement of wild-harvested meat in human food systems and could inform policy that addresses wild-harvested meat. (c) 2020 The Wildlife Society.