Forging a new wildlife management paradigm: Integrating animal protection values

Abstract

From 1940 to 1990, American voters approved only one statewide ballot initiative restricting hunting or trapping practices— subsequently reversing that one restriction eight years after its passage. Since 1990, voters have sided with animal protection advocates in 10 of 13 statewide ballot races addressing specific hunting and trapping practices. This surge in electoral activity reflects changing public attitudes and demographics. The recent measures have been strongly contested, with proponents and opponents making roughly comparable campaign expenditures. The initiatives have dealt with practices such as bear baiting; the hound hunting of bears, mountain lions, and bobcats; the trophy hunting of mountain lions; the trapping of fur‐bearing mammals in body‐gripping devices, including the steel‐jaw leghold trap; the same‐day airborne hunting of wolves and other predators; and the composition of state fish and wildlife boards. The initiative process has become one of the most effective means of achieving significant hunting and trapping policy reforms, as compared to state fish and wildlife boards or Legislatures. This article will discuss the history of human‐wildlife relations, including an emerging social consciousness about animals. In order to adjust to an emerging nationwide consciousness about the humane and ethical treatment of wildlife, legislators and wildlife professionals must reformulate their policies or risk alienating the majority of the electorate and radically diminishing public confidence in the actions and policies of the agencies.