A Tobit Expenditure Analysis of Nonconsumptive Wildlife Recreation

Abstract

This study utilized cross-sectional data obtained from the 1991 U.S. National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation to analyze individual consumption behavior of nonconsumptive wildlife recreation at a regional level. In the process of selecting an appropriate model most consistent with individual consumption behavior associated with nonconsumption wildlife recreation, the tobit model for the primary nonresidential and residential expenditure models was evaluated. In the primary nonresidential expenditure model, income, ethnicity, private or public lands, and forest lands had a significant effect on nonconsumptive wildlife recreation expenditures. In the primary residential expenditure model, gender, employment status, ethnicity, wildlife including birds and mammals, visiting public parks or natural areas, and maintaining natural areas had a significant effect on nonconsumptive wildlife recreation expenditures. The results in this study provide insight into determinants of nonconsumptive wildlife recreation expenditures which can be used for planning and decision making purposes for natural resource management and nonconsumptive wildlife management.