Cattle rancher and conservation agency personnel perceptions of wildlife management and assistance programs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi

Abstract

AbstractNatural resource agencies in the United States continue to design and expand technical and financial assistance programs that benefit private landowners managing for wildlife. Cattle ranchers, one of the primary stakeholders, are well poised to benefit from these programs, especially if they can easily integrate wildlife management activities into cattle operations. A key component to implementing successful wildlife management programs on ranches is to understand how ranchers perceive wildlife management and assistance programs. It is also important that conservation agency personnel working with these ranchers are able to assess rancher perceptions of wildlife management accurately so they can tailor programs that meet rancher needs and foster strong working and interpersonal relationships. We surveyed 1,634 ranchers to understand their perceptions of wildlife benefits and problems, attitudes toward wildlife, and likeliness to participate in financial and technical assistance programs. We also surveyed 52 natural resource‐agency personnel regarding their perceptions of ranchers on similar topics, to allow for direct comparison of responses. Rancher and agency responses were similar for many wildlife benefits and attitudes toward wildlife, yet agency personnel overestimated rancher perceptions of wildlife problems and the economic benefits of wildlife enterprises. We suggest ways conservation agencies can improve current assistance programs for cattle ranchers based on both rancher and agency employee perceptions of wildlife management. This includes emphasizing programs that feature preferred species and better integrating wildlife management with routine cattle operations. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.