California Statewide Public Opinion Survey Report

Examines California voters’ opinions about hunting in general, as well as hunting specific species of animals and the possibility of banning certain types of hunting.

The most important issues to voters are: Creating jobs (34%), public education (31%), reducing crime (15%), illegal immigration (31%), property taxes (2%), environment, which also includes wildlife protection (2%), rights of gun owners (2%).

General positions on hunting, hounding and trapping: At the beginning of the survey, 72% of voters would likely approve a comprehensive ban on hounding bears and bobcats, trapping bobcats and hunting on the Mojave Preserve. This number dropped to 70% at the end of the survey. Voters who had initially supported the measure did so because they were against hunting (18%), wanted to prevent cruel and inhumane treatment of animals (11%), or wanted to protect wildlife (10%). Opposing voters felt that hunters have rights and a right to bear arms (11%), there is a need to control animal populations (10%), and there is a surplus of existing regulation (8%).

According to these voters, there is no perceived shortage of hunting land in the state, 10% feel there is not enough, 39% feel there is the right amount and 19% feel there is too much.

49% are more likely to oppose a gun and hunters’ agenda while 34% would be more likely to oppose an animal rights agenda, which includes banning hunting, trapping and promoting vegetarianism. 29% agree that banning hounding and trapping will lead to a ban on all hunting.

24% agree and 70% disagree that if predators are not hunted, they will not be fearful of humans, and therefore more likely to attack humans.

14% agree that restrictions on hunting violates the Constitutional right to bear arms. 87% do not agree that hunters should be allowed to hunt any way they choose. 20% are in favor of the idea of sport hunting, while 80% are opposed.

69% of voters believe that the management of CA wildlife should be handled by Dept of Fish and Game rather than animal rights activists. With respect to bears, this survey showed that 64% of voters would approve the banning of radio-collared hounding of bears or other animals, while 69% would support a complete ban on all black bear hunting. An estimated 70% agree that hounding bears is not sporting and should be illegal.

With respect to bobcats, 74% would favor a measure to ban bobcat trapping for profit, with the humane treatment of these animals an important reason for such ban. The danger of bobcats is not a main argument for supporting a ban, with only 30% finding this to be a convincing argument.

Despite recent attacks on humans, 61% are opposed to repealing the ban on mountain lion hunting, as 71% do not feel that these animals are a threat to public safety. About 40% of voters agree that animal rights groups are more concerned with making forests safe for mountain lions than making them safe for people. Although there is strong opposition to hunting in national parks (88%), voters are dividing on allowing hunting on the Mojave National Preserve, with 45% in favor of a ban here.

In general, voters support (61%) the elimination of hounding for most animals.

62% of voters would support a ban on all commercial trapping on public lands in California, with 61% also indicating they would support a ban on all leg hold or snare trapping of animals on public or private land.

48% of all voters are more likely to favor a comprehensive measure if it supported by the HSUS, while 42% are more likely to favor a measure supported by the Audubon Society. Opposition from the Department of Fish and Game, the California Farm Bureau and the NRA does not enhance opposition to the measure.