19 research outputs found
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Activity Substitutability and Degree of Specialization among Deer and Elk Hunters in Multiple States
This article examines relationships between hunter specialization and activity substitutability. Data were obtained from a mail survey of 6,983 deer hunters in eight states and 2,584 elk hunters in three states. Activity substitutability was measured by asking what activity would provide the same satisfaction as deer or elk hunting. Between 41% and 59% of deer hunters and 38% to 46% of elk hunters reported substitutes such as fishing and other big game hunting. Cluster analyses of hunter skill, centrality, equipment, and experience revealed four specialization groups (casual, intermediate, focused, veteran). Casual hunters were most likely to report a substitute followed by intermediates, focused, and veterans. This inverse relationship between concepts was consistent across states and species hunted. Veteran hunters were most likely to report other big game hunting as a substitute, whereas casual hunters in many states were most likely to consider fishing as a substitute.Keywords: wildlife, substitutability, hunting, recreation specializationKeywords: wildlife, substitutability, hunting, recreation specializatio
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Recreation Specialization and Related Concepts in Leisure Research
More than 40 years have passed since Shafer (1969) challenged the existence of the âaverage
camper.â Recognizing that participants in recreation activities are heterogeneous in their
commitments and interests, researchers have emphasized the importance of differentiating
users into meaningful homogeneous subgroups. In his seminal article, Bryan (1977) coined
the concept of recreation specialization as one approach for identifying, describing, and
planning for these subgroups of recreationists. He defined specialization as âa continuum
of behavior from the general to the particular, reflected by equipment and skills used in the
sport and activity setting preferencesâ (Bryan, 1977, p. 175). At one end of this continuum
are novices or infrequent participants who do not consider the given activity to be a central
life interest or show strong preferences for equipment or technique. The other end of
this continuum includes more avid participants who are committed to the given activity
and use more sophisticated approaches. Recreationists have been thought to progress to
higher stages along this continuum reflected by increasing skill, equipment, participation,
and commitment (Bryan, 1977), although this assumption has come under some scrutiny
(e.g., Kuentzel & Heberlein, 2008).Keywords: Recreation research, Recreation specializatio
Information sources and knowledge about chronic wasting disease in Colorado and Wisconsin
This research note examines hunters' and non-hunters' information sources and knowledge about chronic wasting disease (CWD). Data were obtained from surveys of and Wisconsin (n = 360
Diverse University Students Across the United States Reveal Promising Pathways to Hunter Recruitment and Retention
Declining participation in hunting, especially among young adult hunters, affects the ability of state and federal agencies to achieve goals for wildlife management and decreases revenue for conservation. For wildlife agencies hoping to engage diverse audiences in hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts, university settings provide unique advantages: they contain millions of young adults who are developmentally primed to explore new activities, and they cultivate a social atmosphere where new identities can flourish. From 2018 to 2020, we surveyed 17,203 undergraduate students at public universities across 22 states in the United States to explore R3 potential on college campuses and assess key demographic, social, and cognitive correlates of past and intended future hunting behavior. After weighting to account for demographic differences between our sample and the larger student population, 29% of students across all states had hunted in the past. Students with previous hunting experience were likely to be white, male, from rural areas or hunting families, and pursuing degrees related to natural resources. When we grouped students into 1 of 4 categories with respect to hunting (i.e., non-hunters [50%], potential hunters [22%], active hunters [26%], and lapsed hunters [3%]), comparisons revealed differences based on demographic attributes, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Compared to active hunters, potential hunters were more likely to be females or racial and ethnic minorities, and less likely to experience social support for hunting. Potential hunters valued game meat and altruistic reasons for hunting, but they faced unique constraints due to lack of hunting knowledge and skills. Findings provide insights for marketing and programming designed to achieve R3 objectives with a focus on university students. © 2021 The Wildlife Society
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[Newspaper Clipping: Officer fired for making false reports]
Newspaper clipping of a Dallas Morning News article about a police officer, Danny Cain, who was fired after filing false reports regarding the shooting death of a suspect
Human-wildlife interactions and the Potential for Conflict Index
Determine acceptability of management actions in scenarios varying by severity of human-wildlife interaction and species involved, using the Potential for Conflict Index and Analysis of VarianceCollege Honors
The Little Fish that Roared: The Endangered Species Act, State Groundwater Law, and Private Property Rights Collide over the Texas Edwards Aquifer
The future of wildlife conservation funding: What options do U.S. college students support?
Insufficient funding is a major impediment to conservation efforts around the world. In the United States, a decline in hunting participation threatens sustainability of the âuser-pay, public benefitâ model that has supported wildlife conservation for nearly 100 years, forcing wildlife management agencies to contemplate alternative funding strategies. We investigated support for potential funding options among diverse college students, a rapidly expanding and politically active voting bloc with a potentially powerful influence on the future of conservation. From 2018 to 2020, we surveyed 17,203 undergraduate students at public universities across 22 states. Students preferred innovative approaches to conservation funding, with 72% supporting funding derived from industry sources (e.g., natural resource extraction companies), 63% supporting state sources (e.g., general sales tax), and 43% supporting conventional user-based sources such as license fees and excise taxes associated with outdoor recreation activities (e.g., hunting). Findings emphasize the need to broaden the base of support for conservation funding and highlight the importance of considering the preferences and perspectives of young adults and other diverse beneficiaries of wildlife conservation
Evaluating impacts of R3 workshops for firstâtime hunters at universities across the United States
Abstract Declines in hunter numbers across the United States make hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) a high priority for wildlife management. As wildlife management agencies and nongovernmental organizations seek to reach new audiences, college campuses present a unique opportunity to cultivate nontraditional path hunters. Despite recent proliferation of R3 initiatives, little research has evaluated effects of hunting programs on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of new hunters. We designed and implemented Getting Started Outdoors: Hunting 101 workshops specifically targeting college students without previous hunting experience, and we assessed workshop efficacy with a theoreticallyâgrounded approach to workshop evaluation. Using quantitative and qualitative analysis of surveys conducted before, shortly after, and 12â18 months after workshops, we assessed impacts of R3 efforts at large public universities in 16 different U.S. states. Across all states, 19 workshops attracted 314 total participants, with 255 completing both preâ and postâworkshop assessments and 133 completing the followâup surveys. Workshops significantly increased participants' confidence in hunting, reduced barriers related to inadequate knowledge and skills, and fostered positive views of hunters and hunting. Immediately after workshops, most participants said they would definitely (50%) or probably (34%) hunt in the future; 82% said they would likely (or very likely) purchase a hunting license. Over one year after the workshops, 34% of workshop participants reported having hunted, and another 45% said they would probably hunt in the future. Overall, workshops attracted a diverse population of potential hunters, increased interest in future hunting, and created hunting advocates. Findings highlight the potentially powerful impact that R3 programs focused on diverse college students can have on the future of hunting across the United States