Hunting Participation Research Articles

A Panel Design to Assess the Effects of Regulatory Induced Reductions in Opportunity on Deer Hunters’ Satisfaction

Beginning in 1992, regulatory changes in Colorado shortened rifle hunting for buck deer to the first three days of the combined deer and elk rifle seasons. These changes represented a severe reduction in season length (40%–75%) and provided an opportunity to examine the impact of dramatic regulatory changes on hunters’ beliefs, satisfaction, and behavior using a panel study design. Data were collected before and after the regulatory changes, from a panel of 1,018 rifle buck deer hunters (521 residents and 497 nonresidents). Satisfaction with the rifle buck deer hunting experience declined significantly for both resident and nonresident hunters after the new regulations were implemented. Hunters’ beliefs about the consequences of the regulations and their level of support for the regulations explained a relatively large and significant proportion of the change in satisfaction levels. Beliefs about the consequences of and level of support for the regulations were significant predictors of the perceived level of regulatory constraint. In turn, the level of regulatory constraint predicted perceptions of overall constraint to rifle deer hunting and these perceptions were significantly related to actual participation in rifle buck deer hunting. Study results imply that regulations that are perceived as decreasing recreation opportunities can decrease overall satisfaction with the hunting experience. The authors suggest thresholds exist for regulatory constraints beyond which there are severe impacts on satisfaction.

Individual and Situational Influences on Declining Hunter Effort in Illinois

This study examines individual and situational influences on declining hunter effort in Illinois. Data were obtained from a self-administered mail survey of 2,872 (response rate = 67%) resident hunters in Illinois. A series of four separate logistic regressions were constructed to model demographics, past experience, and perceived personal and situational constraints related to declining hunter effort. A final model included variables from each of the separate regressions. Nine variables were significant predictors of hunter effort in the final model: four perceived personal constraints (lack of time, interest, finances, and poor health), three situational constraints (not enough game, no land available for hunting, and too many regulations), and two past experience variables (years of hunting experience and days afield during prior season). None of the demographic variables had a significant influence on hunter effort after controlling for the other predictors in the model. The final model that included past experience and the two sets of perceived constraint measures (personal and situational) explained 91% of the variance and correctly classified 97% of hunters in both the "decreased" and "did not decrease" categories. Discussion focuses on the need for understanding perceived constraints to hunting participation that are within the control of management agencies.

Correlates of hunting participation in Europe and North America

We examine the effects of rural residence, population density, amount of forestland, percent of forestland, age, income, unemployment, and gender on hunting participation in a total of 90 US States, Canadian Provinces and European Countries. The dependent variable was the standardized residual of hunter numbers predicted from the population of the country. This was calculated using a different regression line for each of four regions (US, Canada, EU, and Central European Countries+ Switzerland. Our analysis showed that the percent of the population that was classified as rural was the strongest and most consistent predictor of hunting participation. The amount of forestland also increased hunting participation. Controlling for these variables population density did not have an appreciable effect. States that had lower per capita income also had more hunting. But this relationship was largely do to the lower income in states with higher percentages of rural population. Age, gender, unemployment, and percentage of forestland had no direct influence on hunting participation across states. This analysis provided support for cultural explanations for hunting. Hunting is more associated with rural culture than it is with other factors. The implication is that if one wants to support hunter populations it is important to support rural development and strong rural communities. This could be as important as providing habitat and prey numbers.

The Effect of Age on the Probability of Participation in Wildlife‐Related Activities: A Birth Year Cohort Study

AbstractTo aid in the planning and marketing of wildlife recreation, a logit regression model was used to assess the effect of age on the probability of participation in waterfowl hunting and wildlife viewing. The results indicate that the probability of participating in waterfowl hunting decreases with age and birth year, while the probability of participating in wildlife viewing increases up to a point and then decreases as an individual ages and increases with birth year. Clearly, models employing age and birth year must be utilized to plan for future services and also to direct marketing efforts to gain participants.

Bushmeat hunting by communities adjacent to the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: the importance of livestock ownership and alternative sources of protein and income

Illegal hunting of resident and migratory herbivores is widespread in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. To devise effective strategies to reduce levels of hunting, information is required on why people are involved in illegal hunting and the role of bushmeat in the local economy. Participation in hunting may be influenced by measures of relative wealth, including livestock ownership, means of generating cash income and access to alternative sources of meat. Data came from 300 individuals responding to a questionnaire in 10 villages, from responses by 359 people in 24 group discussions in another 12 villages, and from 552 people arrested and interviewed in the National Park. A smaller proportion of individual respondents (32%) than group respondents (57%) volunteered that they participated in illegal hunting. Most individual and group respondents were subsistence farmers who considered bushmeat to be a source of protein and a means of generating cash income. Three-quarters of those arrested participated in hunting primarily to generate cash income and a quarter claimed that they only hunted to obtain food. Participation in illegal hunting decreased as wealth in terms of the number of sheep and goats owned increased. People with access to alternative means of generating income or acquiring protein were also less likely to be involved in illegal hunting. Arrested respondents were typically young adult males with low incomes and few or no livestock. Illegal hunting was not reduced by participation in community-based conservation pro-grammes. Results suggested that between 52 000 and 60 000 people participated in illegal hunting within protected areas, and that many young men (approximately 5200) derived their primary source of income from hunting.

Hunting and Rural Socialization: Contingent Effects of the Rural Setting on Hunting Participation

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between rural socialization and hunting participation. Assessments of the cultural significance of hunting as a “way of life” in rural areas echo traditional assertions of the importance of rurality, but do not consider the interplay between rural residence and other variables that affect hunting participation. Although previous research has demonstrated that rural residents are more likely to participate in hunting, as are males and those who are influenced by family, the interaction of these variables is poorly understood. A national survey used a socialization framework to explore the more specific conditions under which rural upbringings were associated with increased hunting participation. Rural upbringings fostered an increase in hunting primarily when the socialization relationship between agent and target was unlikely to do so and when participation was consistent with gender norms: rural males whose fathers did not hunt were more likely to hunt than urban males whose fathers did not. In no other cases did rural upbringings result in an increased propensity for hunting. Therefore we suggest that broad statements about the cultural significance of hunting to rural life be made more cautiously, with the effects of other variables taken into account.

The effects of hunter‐education requirements on hunting participation and recruitment in the United States

The effects of required hunter‐education programs on hunter recruitment and participation were examined using the 1980, 1985, and 1990 screener surveys from the U.S. National Surveys of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife‐Associated Recreation. Information provided by states on their requirements for hunter education allowed us to determine whether people were required to take an education course before they could purchase a hunting license. We estimated the effect of hunter‐education requirements on hunting participation, controlling for the person's age, sex, and race/ethnicity, as well as for the percentage of the state's population living in rural areas and the regional level of hunting participation in 1955 (as a surrogate for hunting culture). In 1980, 23 states with no hunter‐education requirement had an overall hunting participation rate of 12%, while participation in states with a hunter‐education requirement for all hunters was 6%. States with requirements were, however, more urban and had lower participation rates in 1955. When the individual and state‐level factors associated with hunter participation are controlled statistically, the difference in participation was less than 1% (p < .01) for persons required or not required to take a hunter‐education course. Hunter education also reduces first‐time hunting rates for persons age 16 and older. Individual‐level measures of residence and hunting culture, were they available, might further reduce estimated effects of hunter‐education requirements. Estimates of hunter‐education effects on hunting are for national‐level data and may not apply to particular states’ hunter‐education programs.

Constraints, psychological investment, and hunting participation: Development and testing of a model

Abstract This study sought to gain a better understanding of hunting participation through the development and testing of a conceptual model. The model examined participation (retention) in the context of rifle deer hunting in Colorado by state residents and nonresidents. Participation was hypothesized to be directly associated with people's level of investment, level of constraints, past experience, and behavioral intention. The proposed model was loosely based on the theory of reasoned action. Beliefs about the potentially negative impacts of new hunting regulations, and attitude toward rifle deer hunting in Colorado were the other components included in the model. Results indicated that for both Colorado residents and nonresidents, past experience was found to increase the probability of participation in rifle deer hunting in 1993. In addition, as perception of constraints increased, the probability of participation for both residents and nonresidents decreased. For nonresidents, increased level of inv...

An investigation of factors affecting waterfowl hunting participation in Colorado

Abstract A study of 1993 Colorado waterfowl hunters examined factors affecting individuals’ decisions to hunt waterfowl and identified preferences for potential management strategies. This information was used in revising waterfowl regulations in the state. A stratified random sample of 1,400 resident Colorado waterfowl hunters was drawn from 1992–93 Colorado Duck Stamps, 700 from east of the Continental Divide (Central Flyway) and 700 from the west of the Continental Divide (Pacific Flyway). A 13‐page mail questionnaire was sent in June, 1993 to all subjects. Those individuals indicating that they had hunted in 1992–93 were asked to complete the entire questionnaire and were coded as active hunters for the analyses. Those who indicated they had not hunted were asked to return the questionnaire and were subsequently sent an abbreviated questionnaire with some of the same questions as the original survey. Those completing this abbreviated survey were coded as inactive hunters (those who hunted in the past,...

Fee hunting pheasants in Colorado:Experimentalevidence

Abstract A telephone survey was conducted of Colorado small game license buyers to determine their willingness to pay to hunt wild ring‐necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Colorado. Fee charged ($15, $30, $50, and $70), and numbers of pheasants likely to be flushed (1–5, 6–10, 11–15, and 16–20 birds), were varied in a hypothetical hunting scenario to assess the impact that fee and hunting quality would have on participation. Daily fee charged and flush rate both significantly impacted likelihood of participation and the number of days hunters were likely to participate. At the lowest fee and highest flush rate, 75% of respondents were likely to participate in the fee hunt, suggesting little philosophical opposition. Mean days of participation declined from 2.8 at $15/day and a high flush rate to 0.3 at $70/day and a low flush rate. Mean days of participation declined as fee increased because fewer hunters were willing to participate. Number of trips per willing hunter was unaffected by fee. Prior experience with fee hunting for pheasants was positively correlated with extent of likely participation in the hypothetical hunt, as were several other measures of commitment to the sport. These data demonstrate substantial interest in pheasant hunting, and willingness to pay for it, by Colorado small game hunters.p>

Age of first hunting experience: Results from a nationwide recreation survey

Abstract Hunting participation, as indicated in the 1983 Nationwide Recreation Survey, is examined to determine the relationship between age of first hunting experience and adult level of participation. A statistically significant association between these two variables is found. In addition, more than 83 percent of those who hunt began their involvement by 18 years of age. The findings have implications for future hunting participation and the provision of programs for hunters.

The compatibility of hunting and mothering among the agta hunter-gatherers of the Philippines

Women's hunting is widely held biologically impracticable in foraging societies, chiefly because hunting is presumed incompatible with maternal responsibilities. A three-year study of hunting practices among the Agta Negrito people of northern Luzon reveals women's active participation in hunting, singly and in groups, without detriment to normal fertility and child care.

Harvesting and Nonconsumptive Wildlife Recreation Decisions

To aid in the planning and marketing of wildlife recreation, a logit regression model was used to assess the effect of age on the probability of participation in waterfowl hunting and wildlife viewing. The results indicate that the probability of ...

Determinants of Hunter Participation: Duck Hunting in the Mississippi Flyway

AbstractIn this paper the authors study the relationship between habitat availability, hunter success, and the rate and intensity of participation in duck hunting in the Mississippi Flyway. Using socioeconomic data from the 1975 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Associated Recreation, and waterfowl habitat data from the 1970 Flyway Habitat Management Unit Project, they estimate probability and intensity of participation equations for duck hunting. The analysis differs from previous population‐specific recreation studies in (a) the narrowly defined activity, (b) more precise definition of supply variables, (c) use of variables representing distance to hunting sites, and (d) the use of logit analysis to estimate participation probability equations.

Ecological Determinants of Group Sizes of Foraging Lions

Ecological Determinants of Group Sizes of Foraging Lions