Research Quantitative Study: The annual tracker study was conducted online with registered Colorado voters in January 2020. The survey was fielded statewide with 938 participants. All participants were screened to ensure that they were 18 years or older and registered to vote in Colorado. Data were weighted for a census representation on key demographics and congressional districts. Sample size yields a +/- 3.19% margin of error at a 95% confidence level of 5.69 million Colorado residents. Key findings from the 2020 survey include:
• Despite current events, we have stayed consistent with previous years. Though our key metrics (e.g., hunting/fishing support) in Wave 5 did experience an expected dip relative to previous waves, the overall data is not astronomically different YOY. And, importantly, the numbers are shifting to being more neutral rather than negative. It is possible that this issue, in the context of every other important issue going on, is just not ranking high enough on Coloradans’ priority lists, suggesting it may be more a reflection of their priorities rather than a slow slide to opposition.
• About 5 in 10 Coloradans say they support hunting, and about 2 in 10 say they do not. Like previous research waves, those “nonsupporters” tend to say they are against killing animals in general and believe it is wrong to harm another living thing. Those who do support hunting tend to know more about the benefits, such as how it helps both wildlife management and the state of Colorado.
• About 3 in 10 are neutral toward hunting, suggesting that there is still a sizeable number still “sitting on the fence.” • About 7 in 10 Coloradans say they support fishing, and fewer than 1 in 10 say they do not support it. Again, similar to hunting, those who don’t support fishing cannot condone killing an animal and tend to say the act itself is inhumane.
• About 4 in 10 say they “know little” about the rules and regulations regarding hunting, and about 4 in 10 tell us they “know nothing at all.” 12 o Yet, when asked how likely they would be to support a ballot initiative in Colorado that seeks to further restrict hunting, about 4 in 10 say they are not likely to support this ballot initiative and about 3 in 10 say they are likely. And, when asked how likely they would be to support a ballot initiative in Colorado that seeks to further restrict fishing, about 5 in 10 say they are not likely to support this ballot initiative and about 2 in 10 say they are likely.
o Importantly, for each of these ballot initiatives, about 3 in 10 are neutral. Again, this suggests many Coloradans are still sitting in that middle ground and are likely more susceptible to messaging compared to those who are more polarized on the topic.
This gives me hope that in future campaigns, pro-hunting groups have an opportunity to sway "neutral" voters.
