Market and Environmental Crime: Explaining Illegal Bird-Hunting in Fereydunknar

Illegal bird-hunting has devastating effects both on the species’ life and on a society’s economy. This also exists in Fereydunknar, which is considered in this study. Theoretically, this study employs the everyday-life theory and the theory of market demand reduction. The empirical findings of this study are based on a survey conducted in the rural areas of Fereydunknar located in the province of Mazandaran in the north of Iran. According to results of this study, the majority of the respondents (that is, about 75 per cent) accept their involvement in illegal bird-hunting. Moreover, the results suggest that the most important determinants of illegal bird-hunting are the presence or the absence of qualified guardians, substance-oriented crime, and the level of demand in the market.