Americans Turn To Hunting For Fear Of Food Shortage Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

More Americans are reportedly starting to go out and hunt amid fears that a nationwide food shortage will occur after meat plants shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. At least three major producers of meat, Smithfield Foods, Tyson Foods, and JBS USA, were forced to shut down more than a dozen processing plants nationwide because of the outbreaks.

People Considering Self-Reliance

According to Hank Forester, Americans are beginning to consider self-reliance and think about where their food comes from. Mr. Forester is the Hunting Heritage Programs Sr. Manager of the Quality Deer Management Association. Their mission, as stated on the organization’s website, is to promote sustainable and high-quality deer populations and, at the same time, encourage ethical hunting experiences through research and education.

Forester believes that there will be a resurgence in hunting in light of the growing number of empty shelves in grocery stores. The organization Forester belonged to teaches deer hunters how to help improve their local deer populations and their habitat.

Increase In Hunting Licenses

Several states have also seen a huge increase in hunting license applications. This includes Indiana, where officials reported a 29% jump in turkey hunting license sale during the initial week of the season. Game and fish organizations from Minnesota to New Mexico also experienced increases in either hunting license sales or in applications for hunting permits.

Nina Stafford killed her very first deer in January of this year and has started to realize that hunting can be a practical alternative in case of food shortages. Stafford is a building contractor from Fayetteville, Georgia, one of the states that have been severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Stafford said the COVID-19 pandemic has only made her want to go and hunt more so she does not have to be afraid where her next meal is coming from. The 42-year-old building contractor also grows vegetables and fruit.

Big Game Hunting

In Taos, New Mexico, Holy Cross Hospital emergency manager David Elliot said he started to consider big game hunting when coronavirus hit the US in late January. He has applied for an elk hunting permit. “I understand some people might be driven by like antlers or some sort of glory. I don’t want to do that,” said Elliot.

Elliot does not own a rifle, which is why he is planning to borrow a rifle to hunt a female elk in the Taos County area. He said he wanted to make sure he will be making a clean and humane shot and, at the same time, get a whole bunch of food.