Hunting and the heart: Physiological response to seeing, shooting, and bagging game

A comparison of deer hunters with disabilities and nondisabled hunters in Alabama: motivations and satisfactions in deer hunting

“…A related study was conducted in the Black Hills of South Dakota by Gigliotti (2000) after an earlier study (Gigliotti 1998) was used to design and implement a management plan that improved the health of the Black Hills deer herd. Gigliotti's classification was somewhat more specific than Kellert's, however, because the sport-hunting group was broken into "trophy" and "social" and an excitement category was added, based on an earlier study by Stedman and Heberlein (1997). Categories for solitude and exercise also were added.…”

Electrocardiographic Responses to Deer Hunting in Men and Women

“…As hunters approach their designated hunting areas, it is common to have heightened awareness of their surroundings, whereas hiking in a simulated hunt may not involve the same anticipatory excitement. Stedman and Heberlein 11 reported significant differences in HRs in shooting and nonshooting situations when stalking prey.…”

“…6 It is understood that deer hunting involves both strenuous physical activities 3,6,[8][9][10] and psychological stimuli. 11 Haapaniemi et al 8 provided evidence that the high-intensity nature of deer hunting results in dangerous cardiac stresses and suggested fitness may influence a person's relative risk. Stedman and Heberlein 11 examined a well-known phenomenon referred to as "buck fever," wherein the psychological response of spotting the prey prompts an adrenaline release and subsequent increase in heart rate (HR) and cardiac stress.…”

“…Stedman and Heberlein 11 examined a well-known phenomenon referred to as "buck fever," wherein the psychological response of spotting the prey prompts an adrenaline release and subsequent increase in heart rate (HR) and cardiac stress. 11 Such external physical and psychological stimuli, either alone or in combination, may increase the likelihood of sudden cardiac death in the presence of structural or functional cardiovascular abnormalities. 12 The conclusions drawn from these studies suggest that there is a relationship and possible causal relationship between physical and emotional stimuli associated with the various hunting-related activities and cardiovascular risks and events.…”

“…11 Haapaniemi et al 8 provided evidence that the high-intensity nature of deer hunting results in dangerous cardiac stresses and suggested fitness may influence a person’s relative risk. Stedman and Heberlein 11 examined a well-known phenomenon referred to as “buck fever,” wherein the psychological response of spotting the prey prompts an adrenaline release and subsequent increase in heart rate (HR) and cardiac stress. 11 Such external physical and psychological stimuli, either alone or in combination, may increase the likelihood of sudden cardiac death in the presence of structural or functional cardiovascular abnormalities.…”