Hunter Reader Survey results

In our Hunter 17 magazine, we invited readers to participate in the Hunter Reader Survey so we could better tailor the magazine to what the readers want. Hundreds of surveys were returned and we have since collated the results.

When asked when it was they first subscribed to the Hunter, 57 per cent of respondents said when they renewed their SSAA membership. 26 per cent said they subscribed when they filled in the Hunter card from their Australian Shooter and 17 per cent said when they joined from other sections of the SSAA, such as Hunting & Conservation, or when they bought the Hunter from a newsagent for the first time.

Almost 99.5 per cent of readers said they thought the Hunter was good value for money and 97 per cent of readers said they intended to renew their Hunter subscription. More than half of the people who read Hunter said they regularly passed on the magazine to their family and friends to read.

Not surprisingly, practical hunting, game information and reviews were by far the most popular topics in the Hunter, with camp kitchen and edgeware (knives) also receiving a loyal readership. While some overseas hunting and fishing stories were welcomed, readers generally wanted these two areas to be kept to a minimum and this is something we will certainly be doing in the subsequent Hunters.

When asked what level hunter they were, eight per cent of the respondents said they were beginner hunters. 42 per cent said they were intermediate, 44 per cent said they were experienced and four per cent considered themselves experts. Two per cent of the respondents said they don’t hunt but enjoy reading about it in the Hunter.

When asked how often they have the opportunity to go hunting, 29 per cent of readers said they go about once a month and another 29 per cent said they go every few months. 34 per cent of readers said they go hunting only a few times, while two per cent said they never hunt. Six per cent of the respondents said they hunted as part of their employment.

When asked what game animals they prefer to hunt, 23 per cent said they prefer to hunt rabbits and hare. 19 per cent preferred pigs and 18 per cent preferred feral cat and dog. 14 per cent of readers preferred hunting goats, 12 per cent preferred deer species and two per cent preferred buffalo. 12 per cent of readers selected ‘other animals’ of which fox was the most popular.

Almost half of the respondants said they had entered a Hunter competition before. The other half said they hadn’t because they were ‘new readers’ or because they ‘didn’t think they would be lucky enough to win’. Well, someone was lucky enough to win the Leupold scope simply by ticking a box and returning the survey. We hope this is enough reason for you to participate in future competitions.

We wish to thank everyone who participated in our survey. Your answers have helped us shape our special Hunter 20 - By Request magazine and the future editions of your Hunter magazine.