Tradition in Transition: Fishing, Hunting, and Food Security in a Changing Maine

Abstract

We explore how rural Maine people, who possess a long heritage of fishing and hunting, are navigating impacts from environmental contamination and climate change. Two surveys conducted in collaboration with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: one with Maine fishing license holders (August 2024, n = 3,549) and another with Maine hunting license holders (March 2025, n = 13,330) allow for an in-depth exploration of current fishing and hunting habits, including reliance on wild foods for sustenance, concern about environmental contaminants such as PFAS, and views on climate change. Key findings reveal that wild meat is an important component of food security for many hunters, with rural anglers and hunters being significantly more likely than their urban counterparts to hunt or fish to support their household's food security. Nearly all large game hunters but far fewer anglers consume their harvest. Awareness of contaminants varies, with hunters reporting higher recognition of PFAS than anglers. Although a substantial portion of sportspeople are informed about consumption advisories, over one-third are unaware or unsure that they exist. Few people report changing their hunting or fishing behaviors due to environmental contamination concerns. We document a strong awareness of climate change and its impact on fishing and hunting opportunities in Maine. A majority of rural Mainers agree that climate change is happening and impacting Maine. This research documents how rural Maine residents are adapting traditional practices amidst evolving environmental challenges, highlighting areas for targeted outreach and policy considerations to support food security and rural traditions.