Illegal hunting is a widespread problem, with motivations varying across regions. We investigated the patterns and reasons for hunting in Afghanistan, where it is generally illegal but pervasive in the wake of decades of civil war. To assess motivations for hunting, firstly we conducted a systematic review of the literature, extracting information from 32 studies that discuss the relative importance of various reasons for hunting in Afghanistan; we analysed findings from these studies using the meta-analytic method of vote-counting. Secondly, using face-to-face interviews or a web-based questionnaire, we surveyed key informants in Afghanistan about the motivations identified in the literature. We obtained responses from 57 people familiar with hunting, including government officials, vendors in wildlife markets, and hunters. Findings from the meta-analysis and the survey were broadly consistent, both identifying the market for fur and other by-products as one of the most important motivations for hunting. However, much of the published literature focuses on hunting of carnivores, and emphasizes retaliation as a motivation for hunting. Key informants were more likely to cite subsistence consumption and to suggest that providing education and livelihood alternatives would reduce hunting. Our results highlight the importance of a multi-pronged policy response that recognizes variation in motivations for hunting different species.