Attitudes towards hunting in Polish society and the related impacts of hunting experience, socialisation and social networks

Overview of game meat utilisation challenges and opportunities: A European perspective

Re-wilding and similar initiatives have resulted in an increase in wildlife suitable for human consumption in Europe. However, game meat production and consumption present several challenges, including infectious diseases which pose risks to livestock, processers, and consumers. This review provides insights into the infectious diseases and toxic contaminants associated with game meat. The effect of killing method on the meat quality is also discussed and means of improving the meat quality of game meat is elucidated. The use of different food safety systems that could be applied to provide safe meat is reported. The importance of collaborative multi-sector approaches is emphasized, to generate and distribute knowledge and implement One Health strategies that ensure the safe, traceable, sustainable, and professional development of commercial game meat supply chains.

The Influence of Sensory Characteristics of Game Meat on Consumer Neuroperception: A Narrative Review

Game meat contains bioactive compounds that directly influence the formation of a rich reservoir of flavor precursors that produce specific sensory properties. Quality is considered one of the most influential determinants of consumer behavior, but the interpretation of this concept differs between consumers. Although recognized for its quality, its unique sensory characteristics (smell, taste, aroma) may have a major impact on consumer perception. The aim of this review is to describe the consumer behavior regarding game meat through elements of neuroperception, using methods of analysis, observation, and interpretation of scientific information from the literature. Following the analysis of published papers on this topic, it was shown that external factors influencing the biological basis of behavior could provide explanations for the acceptance or rejection of this type of meat and solutions. Neuroperception can explain the mechanism behind consumer decision-making. The influence of extrinsic factors (environment, mood, emotions, stress) shapes the perception of the quality attributes of game meat, the unique sensory characteristics of game meat passing through a primary filter of sensory receptors (eyes, nose, tongue, etc). Game meat is darker and tougher (compared to meat from domestic animals), and the taste and smell have the power to trigger memories and change the mood, influencing consumer behavior. Understanding consumer attitudes towards game meat in relation to quality attributes and the physiology of sensory perception can provide important insights for food industry professionals, processors, sensory evaluators, and researchers.

Attitudes of Young Tri-City Residents toward Game Meat in the Context of Food Neophobia and a Tendency to Look for Diversity in Food

To conduct rational hunting management, a certain number of wild animals must be harvested yearly. However, some countries have a problem with managing the harvested meat. An example is Poland, where game consumption is estimated at 0.08 kg/person/year. This situation leads to environmental pollution as a result of meat exports. The level of environmental pollution depends on the type of transport and distance. However, the use of meat in the country of harvesting would generate less pollution than its export. Three constructs were used in the study, which aimed to determine whether the respondents show food neophobia, whether they are willing to seek diversity in food, and what their attitudes towards game meat are. All the scales used were previously validated. Four-hundred and fifty-three questionnaires were collected using the PAPI method. It was found that the respondents showed ambivalent attitudes towards game meat to the greatest extent (76.6%), 16.34% had positive attitudes, and 7.06% had negative attitudes. It seems essential that most of the respondents were highly inclined to look for variety in food (55.85%). Regarding food neophobia, there were 51.43% of people with medium neophobia, while also many people with a low level of neophobia-43.05%. Such results allow speculation that the respondents are open to the new food, they are looking for it, and the low level of game meat consumption is primarily due to the lack of knowledge and awareness about the value of this meat.

Consumers' perceptions and attitudes toward hunted wild game meat in the modern world: A literature review

Hunted wild game meat (HWGM) has a complete nutritional profile, and its environmental impact is lower than farmed meat. However, HWGM derives from hunting, which often relates to consumers' ethical concerns. This review aims to clarify which variables are linked to consumers' perceptions and attitudes toward HWGM. Results highlight that the body of literature about this topic is growing, especially in Europe and U.S. Moreover, gender and residence seem to be good predictors of consumers' perceptions and attitudes toward HWGM. Furthermore, some positive drivers were detected. The positive attitude toward hunting and familiarity with hunting resulted to be linked to HWGM consumption. Conversely, food safety consumers' concerns represent one of the main barriers. Finally, the seasonality of the product and the relative lack of HWGM market supply represent barriers to its consumption. Our findings may assist stakeholders in defining targeted marketing strategies and policies.

Attitudes towards Foresters in Polish Society

In recent years, foresters in Poland have faced a decreasing level of social acceptance. Scientists have demonstrated that core values and personal experience shape the social acceptance of foresters and their work. The aim of our study was to determine what kind of attitudes towards foresters (ATF) do Poles have? What shapes Poles’ ATF? Is recreational behavior connected to the ATF? Which foresters’ PR and educational activities have the biggest impact on peoples’ ATF? The research tool used was the original research questionnaire consisting of closed questions only. A sample of 1000 Poles was selected in 2018. Most respondents (85%) held an ATF that was at least slightly positive. Most of the respondents recognized that the foresters are well prepared to do their job, and considered that the foresters perform their job well. Socio-demographic characteristics had no effect on ATF. Personal experiences, such as frequent visits to the forest; the use of educational, bicycle, jogging or horse riding paths in the forest; the picking of forest berries and mushrooms; and knowing a forester, have a small impact on the attitude. An organized community offer provided by foresters, such as picnics, and family events, etc., had no statistical effect on the attitude score.

A Review on Alaria alata, Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp. in Mammalian Game Meat Consumed in Europe: Epidemiology, Risk Management and Future Directions

Simple Summary

In many European countries, game meat consumption is related to the traditional hunting culture. Its demand and consumption are increasing, also due to the growing populations of wild ungulates. However, specific public health issues exist and should be taken into account. This review focuses on the causal agents, epidemiology, potential risk for human health and its management along the supply chain, including parasite detection at slaughtering and inactivation in meat, of three parasites (Alaria alata, Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp.), which can be transmitted by the main mammalian game meat species in the EU: wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama), Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), moose (Alces alces), hare (Lepus europaeus) and wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). By presenting the main issues and knowledge gaps, this study aims to contribute to an improved control supporting the risk analysis process.

Abstract

Game meat is increasingly appreciated and consumed in Europe, also due to the growing population of wild ungulates. In addition to interesting nutritional properties and market opportunities, game meat is characterized by some specific public health issues. This review focuses on the etiology, epidemiology, public health aspects and risk management along the supply chain, including parasite detection at slaughtering and inactivation in meat, of three selected foodborne parasitic hazards (Alaria alata, Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp.) in the main mammalian game meat species in the EU: wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama), Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), moose (Alces alces), hare (Lepus europaeus) and wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The presented data point out the main issues, and knowledge gaps as well as the potential for improved control in order to contribute to the risk analysis process. To pursue an effective management of these parasitic zoonoses, awareness raising should involve all figures in the supply chain, including hunters, restaurateurs and consumers. Human behaviour and the lack of knowledge regarding meat borne parasitic zoonoses and the health risks they pose seem to be the most important factors responsible for human infections. However, detection methods, starting from the sampling procedure, should be further developed and standardized in order to improve the collection of accurate and up-to-date epidemiological data.

"Not just a hobby, but a lifestyle": Characteristics, preferences and self-perception of individuals with different levels of involvement in birdwatching

Birdwatching is one of the most sustainable types of nature-based tourism and, at the same time, a form of recreation that is developing very dynamically. Birdwatching is attracting more and more people, not only professionals, but also amateurs from many countries. Birdwatching research is still relatively embryonic, especially when compared to nature tourism or wildlife tourism. Our main aim was to determine preferences and opinions of birdwatchers visiting the largest national park in Poland, in relation to their different levels of involvement. The data were collected in 2018 from a survey of a sample of 357 Polish and foreign birdwatchers. Results showed that birdwatcher respondents were predominantly male, middle-aged, and living in a large city. An important tool described in this article is a new scale that assesses the level of involvement of individual people engaged in birdwatching activity. This scale corresponds well with the individual characteristics of birdwatchers. Most birdwatchers defined their birdwatching activity as a permanent rather than a temporary hobby and therefore considered it to be more of a lifestyle than a hobby. Engagement in birdwatching activity increased with age and frequency of trips. The two most important reasons for birding were ‘to be close to nature’ and ‘fascination with birds’. It has been proven that the development of birdwatching in the future will require a developed infrastructure enabling interaction with the objects of observation.