Abstract
ABSTRACTIn Norway, willow (Lagopus lagopus) and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) populations and harvests have declined during the last few decades, and the 2 species are considered as near threatened on the Norwegian Red List. The Norwegian State‐Owned Land and Forest Enterprise (Statskog) is a main provider of ptarmigan hunting on public lands, and has recently introduced harvest restrictions in Nordland County. We investigated the relationship between hunters’ opinions and the effects of restrictions on hunters and ptarmigan harvest using online structured questionnaires (2012, n = 570) and bag reports (2009–2011, n = 8,795). A majority of hunters (66%) supported harvest restrictions, and 89% were willing to shoot fewer birds to increase population size. However, opinions towards specific management alternatives were more negative and disparate. Residency of the hunters (local or non‐resident) was the most influential factor on hunter opinions, and this reflected a tendency to approve of restrictions with the smallest effect on their own hunting practice. Our study indicates that access and the opportunity to hunt are more important to hunters than bag size. Daily and annual hunting bags were small, averaging 1.7 and 5.8 ptarmigan, respectively, and the daily bag limit of 4 birds was reached during 5.8% of hunting days. A harvest reduction of 50% implied a daily bag limit of 1 bird and a seasonal bag of 4, which were lower than what hunters found as acceptable. Hence, although hunter opinions may provide useful guidelines for the development of management practices, their opinions need to be evaluated for the actual effects they may have on the game populations. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Wildlife Management Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Highlights
In Norway, willow (Lagopus lagopus) and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) populations and harvests have declined during the last few decades, and the 2 species are considered as near threatened on the Norwegian Red List
Breisjøberget et al Restricting Ptarmigan Harvest several studies emphasize the negative effect of range contractions and altered floral and faunal composition due to climate change (Lehikoinen et al 2014, Elmhagen et al 2015)
Differences in acceptance could be related to the levels of experience among hunters; motivations and attitudes may change during a progressive development in their degree of hunting specialization
Summary
In Norway, willow (Lagopus lagopus) and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) populations and harvests have declined during the last few decades, and the 2 species are considered as near threatened on the Norwegian Red List. In a study of the effect of hunting restrictions on the harvest of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), Guthery et al (2004) reported that bag limits generally affected hunting opportunities and harvest rates only when population levels were high. Harvest rates were higher when ptarmigan populations were low, and Willebrand et al (2011) concluded that effective control of hunting pressure was most important during these periods. Little information exists about the relationship between restrictions imposed on hunters, their attitudes, and the actual impact on the harvests We explored these relationships by analyzing data from bag records and a survey of hunters collected in a large state-owned mountain range in northern Norway. We analyzed data on hunting practices and performances to recognize to what extent hunters are affected by the restrictions
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