What if hunting was good for morale? A surprising scientific study

In our modern societies, stress, anxiety, and depression affect a growing number of people, while mental health is discussed every day. Recent studies from the European Environment Agency and WHO Europe show that noisy and polluted urban environments contribute to these issues, while regular interactions with nature offer tangible benefits. Gardening, walking in the forest, spending time near water, or engaging in outdoor social activities are now recognized to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance the sense of well-being. But what about hunting? Could this ancestral practice, often perceived only from the controversial angles of guilty leisure or animal population management, also support the mental health of practitioners? Hunters indeed spend long periods in natural environments, away from noise and pollution, while remaining physically active and socially engaged. This immersion in nature offers a unique opportunity to combine exercise, contemplation, and social interaction, three pillars known to improve psychological well-being.

Immersion in Nature and Stress Reduction

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) interventions show that simple contact with green and blue spaces significantly reduces stress and anxiety. Hunting, by immersing participants in forests, wetlands, or open landscapes, offers a similar experience to “forest bathing” used in some therapies. Walking silently, observing wildlife, or listening to natural sounds helps slow down mental pace and decrease cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Even relatively short sessions, lasting from 20 to 90 minutes, repeated several times per week, can have positive effects on mood and psychological resilience.

Physical Activity and Significant Engagement

Hunting is not only contemplative: it often involves long walks, carrying equipment, or monitoring hunting areas, combining physical activity and connection with the environment. These forms of outdoor exercise, known as “green exercise,” are scientifically recognized to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Moreover, taking care of habitat management or participating in local conservation instills a sense of accomplishment and enhances self-esteem. Significant engagement with nature, whether physical or cognitive, plays a key role in mental well-being.

Social Dimension and Sense of Belonging

Beyond nature and physical activity, hunting offers an important social dimension. Exchanges between hunters, knowledge transmission, and participation in common projects foster social connection and reduce feelings of isolation, a major factor in psychological distress. Nature-based interventions show that group activities amplify mental health benefits by strengthening social support and community cohesion. Thus, hunting can constitute a natural and socially enriching form of social prescription, contributing to mental health while respecting the principles of the One Health concept, which links human health and the environment.

As cities grow larger and daily stress increases, hunting could therefore appear as a means to reconnect individuals to nature, promote physical activity, and strengthen social ties. Although specific scientific studies on its psychological effects are still needed, evidence from nature-based interventions suggests that the potential benefits for mental well-being are real and promising. In a context of mental health crisis, rethinking hunting not only as leisure or sustainable management but also as a vector of psychological health deserves our full attention.