Article Highlights:

  • 87% of hunters traveled to hunt, showing strong commitment despite rising costs and global instability.
  • Cost, landscape and adventure ranked highest in destination priorities, while nightlife and shopping barely registered.
  • Government travel advisories influence 65% of hunters to seek security extraction protection for high-risk regions.
  • Over half of hunters use translation apps and nearly half plan to carry satellite phones for safety and communication.
  • North America dominates as the top hunting region, but many also travel to Africa (28%) and South America (24%).

 

 

For today’s hunters, travel is more than bringing home a trophy. It’s an extension of identity, lifestyle and values. Recent survey data offers an in-depth look at how hunters think about travel, what drives their decisions and how they balance adventure with practicality. The data reveals how modern hunters navigate the world with intention and resilience; from the gear they pack to the regions they explore.

Hunters were evenly divided when asked whether travel has become a higher priority since the pandemic: 49% said yes, while 51% said no. Despite this split, there’s strong consensus on the importance of experience. A significant 79% said travel experiences matter more than material possessions. That belief translates into action — 87% of respondents traveled in 2024, reinforcing that travel remains central to the hunter lifestyle, even in the face of rising costs or logistical hurdles. With the rising cost of licenses and applications, and license availability, traveling to hunt in different countries for opportunities at a variety of game species is becoming more and more attractive to hunters.

 

Hunting Costs and Other Hunter Concerns

Cost is the top consideration when choosing where to go. For 37%, affordability — including flights, lodging and meals — was the primary factor. Still, the draw of rugged landscapes carries weight: 20% prioritized destinations for their natural settings, and 6% sought adventure activities like trekking, fishing or mountaineering. Urban comforts barely registered. Infrastructure and healthcare mattered to only 1% and nightlife, shopping and food each came in below 3%.

Even with financial pressures, hunters are committed to traveling. While 10% canceled or postponed travel in 2024 due to inflation and 35% considered it, 55% stuck to their plans. Though costs are rising, they’re not enough to ground most hunters.

Disruptions during travel are more of a concern. The top fear? Missed flights or lost luggage were cited by 41%. Medical issues followed: 18% worried about needing evacuation and 14% feared hospitalization abroad. Natural disasters were a concern for 7% and crime was named by just 5%. Looking ahead to the balance of 2025, hunters expect geopolitical instability to be the most significant risk (23%), followed by crime (17%), terrorism (15%) and travel in or near war zones (14%). Medical evacuation was a concern for 11%.

Government travel advisories do influence decision-making. If a country is listed at Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) or Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”), 65% of hunters would seek security extraction protection. Only 4% said they would acquire security extraction services if a travel advisory was at Level 1.

 

A female hunter rests with binoculars in hand in the brush in the mountains.
Glassing for a target.

Overpacking, TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Game Choices

Overpacking was the most common travel mistake, cited by 18%. Others regretted focusing too much on schedules (16%) or skipping itineraries (15%). Traveling with the wrong people was an issue for 12%, while 10% admitted they didn’t research destinations enough. A smaller group made avoidable missteps: 3% forgot to exchange local currency, 3% neglected to check phone coverage and 2% skipped purchasing travel protection. Even seasoned travelers can overlook the basics.

Hunters are embracing tech in selective ways. Over half (56%) use translation apps, mainly to speak with locals (66%) or read signs and menus (26%). Satellite-enabled phones are gaining ground: 48% plan to get one and 4% already own one. Only 30% said they don’t need this level of connectivity. Among users, 24% rated satellite performance as fair, 18% as good and just 6% as excellent, suggesting plenty of room for improvement in backcountry communications.

Trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are popular among hunters who join primarily to save time — 43% cited faster security screening and 41% mentioned quicker customs clearance.

Game preferences among hunters are diverse. Unguided or independent hunts were most common, chosen by 44%. Upland game followed at 42%, big game at 39%, waterfowl at 33% and predator species at 30%. North America dominates as the primary hunting region (74%), though many hunters also head to Africa (28%) and South America (24%).

Hunters today are more than outdoorsmen. They are planners, risk managers, gear strategists and global travelers who value experience over ease and preparation over spontaneity. They’re focused, self-reliant and always ready for the next challenge, whether it’s deep in the woods or across the globe.

 

The Global Rescue Connection

For hunters traveling far from home, whether deep in North America, across Africa, or in remote stretches of South America, having a trusted safety net is essential. Travel, especially the kind that takes hunters off the grid, comes with real risks. Even the best-prepared outdoorsmen can face sudden illness, injury, or logistical hurdles beyond their control.

That’s where Global Rescue makes the difference. When a 70-year-old hunter from Texas fell ill at a remote camp in Mozambique, it was Global Rescue that coordinated his transport to the nearest hospital in Maputo. When a leopard bit a hunter in Botswana in the bush, Global Rescue arranged a rapid air evacuation to Johannesburg for critical care. In both cases, time and expert coordination were everything.

Whether emergency medical evacuation, field rescue or expert guidance on whether a health issue warrants evacuation, Global Rescue provides the kind of support hunters can count on when every decision matters. For a community that thrives on self-reliance and calculated risk, having a partner like Global Rescue isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.