A Discussion of the Economic Basis for Paid Hunting on Farm Land

Abstract

Farmers are the nation\u27s principal wildlife managers. They control production, growth, and harvest of wildlife on about 76% of the land. The farmer assigns a personal value to wildlife and regulates its abundance accordingly. His need for game and non-game animals is largely supplied by the amount produced as a by-product of his normal farming activities. The presence of wildlife in numbers greater than the farmer\u27s needs produces conditions that adversely affect the farm business. An example is given of the costs associated with intentional management for wildlife and paid hunting on a typical Midwest farm. The farm of 200 acres is under intensive cultivation and requires conversion of 7% or 14 acres of cropland to the exclusive use of wildlife. Annual costs are enumerated as $420 in loss of the former net income from farming the converted acres;$50 for establishing and maintaining the needed vegetation; $60 for costs associated with paid hunting; and$70 as the assumed financial inducement necessary to persuade the land-owner to practice habitat management. The annual price for the hunting privilege is $600. Whether the farmer could find a lessee at this price is debated. It is believed that farmers will manage their land for greater wildlife production if a fair profit can be obtained. Until that time the farm acreage devoted to habitat is likely to remain at present levels