Hunter acceptability of chronic wasting disease (CWD) management actions in Western Tennessee

Abstract

ABSTRACT Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a neurological disease affecting white-tailed deer has been found in many states including Tennessee. To design effective CWD management programs, stakeholders including state wildlife agencies benefit from understanding hunters’ attitudes and acceptability of alternative management actions. By conducting a mixed-mode survey of hunters, we compared the risk perception and relative acceptability of management actions before and after the first deer hunting season since the discovery of CWD in Tennessee. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors affecting hunters’ acceptability of alternative management actions. Acceptability was significantly affected by concerns related to deer and human health, regulatory changes, trust and confidence on wildlife agency, and experience of hunting in other states with CWD. These results shed light on understanding hunter’s perception of risk, and roles of trust, perceived risk and hunters’ characteristics in CWD management.