IWF Supporter Demographics: By the Numbers
Three-fourths of IWF supporters are registered Republican or Independent and located outside Ada County.
The Idaho Wildlife Federation recently cross-referenced publicly available information from the national voter registration database and other sources with over 5,000 of our supporters. We wanted to know who IWF resonates with and who appreciates the positive impact IWF’s work has for wildlife, habitat, access, and your public lands.
Next, the data was compared to other similar organizations in Idaho. Here are a few takeaways.
Age
Political Leanings
Of a test pool of over 5,000 IWF supporters, the political demographics were as follows:
Republican – 45.67%
Democrat – 8.95%
Independent – 28.69%
Unaffiliated – 16.69%
What does this say? IWF’s work and message resonates across the political spectrum in Idaho. And it should. We work on nonpartisan issues people support – fish and wildlife, hunting/fishing, keeping public lands public, and access – even if politicians don’t. We speak about and influence natural resource management in a realistic and pragmatic way that considers social and economic realities. And the Republican majority? Well, we value that our support is consistent with Idaho’s political makeup. We strive to reflect our state’s demographics and not pander to one party or another.
Location of IWF supporters
Idaho has 34 voting districts. Canyon and Ada County contain 12 voting districts, which equals 35% of the districts. 36% of IWF’s supporters live in those 12 districts, which means the other 64% are spread across the state. That means IWF’s support comes equally from voting districts throughout the state, rural and urban.
What does this say? We aren’t a “Great State of Ada” group that many others fall prey to. Our support is found in every county, proportional to its population. We bridge the rural-urban divide. How many organizations, hunting and conservation or otherwise, can say truthfully they have equal representation throughout the entire state?
Gender
79% of IWF’s support base is made up of men, while women come in at 21%. Though we represent almost twice the amount of women as other sporting organizations, we’re seeking to shrink that gap and engage more women to become involved in conservation advocacy, especially as numbers of sportswomen are rising.
Voting Record
Of the 5,000+ pool of people, 33% voted in all general elections between 2010-2016. This puts IWF supporters above the state average for voter turnout, but with attacks to Idaho’s public lands and wildlife on the rise, we will certainly strive to make that number go up.
Unique supporters
IWF only shares 10% of its supporters with other conservation and sportsmen organizations in Idaho. That says we have our own unique voice, our own unique way of getting things done, and 90% of our audience sees us as the only organization to champion. Well, we’re flattered. Thanks for the loyalty!
IWF’s work resonates equally in the quieter corners of the state where hunting and angling and trapping traditions are strong, as well as within urban communities that look forward to fishing weekends and hunting trips in those rural and backcountry places. The wildlife and wild places that offer hunters and anglers endless opportunities are supported universally. If you are interested in joining and supporting this work, consider becoming an IWF member today.
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