So far in the semester, we have discussed a variety of conceptual topics on how human characteristic

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• So far in the semester, we have discussed a
  variety of conceptual topics on how human
  characteristics and behaviors affect natural
  resources.
• In the last lecture we also looked at some actual
  data from surveys.
• Today, we will discuss an issue that was
  highlighted by the data we saw in the last class.

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• We are going to talk about the issue of hunter
  participation.
• The intent of this discussion is to take a look
  at a practical application of the things that we
  have learned so far.
• We are also in chapter 15 of the text.

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• Lets start our discussionwhy is hunting an
  important issue for natural resource (more
  specifically, wildlife) managers?
• The text talks about at least five different
  reasons why that is the case.

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• First, regulated hunting is an effective
  management tool for some species.
• In addition to providing substantial economic
  benefits, hunting helps manage populations of
  game species such as deer, elk etc.
• Hunting also helps keep the populations of large
  carnivores at tolerable levels.

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• Second, for many other species hunting is not so
  much a management tool, rather there are real
  concerns of being able to maintain a healthy
  population of these species.
• Some of these species already have declining
  populations.
• These species are usually not a nuisance either.

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• Third, wildlife managers are particularly
  interested in hunting participation because that
  historically had a direct relationship to their
  funding level.
• Wildlife management in North America really
  evolved from game management (remember the title
  of the very first wildlife management text?)
• Wildlife agencies were traditionally funded
  through revenues from hunting license sales,
  later an excise tax on ammunition and hunting
  equipment added additional source of funding.
• For this reason, wildlife managers are always
  interested in understanding hunter expectations,
  motivations, etc.

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• Fourth, Hunting has historically been an integral
  part of the American culture.
• For many, hunting is not just a recreational
  activity, its an activity that binds family
  members, friends and neighbors.
• Many believe hunting is a way to bond with nature
  and develop individual ethics.

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• Last but not least, wildlife managers pay
  particular attention to hunting because of the
  differences in opinions among stakeholders.
• Because of these differences in opinions and
  attitudes toward hunting, conflicts can occur.
• Although one may not think so, some forms of
  hunting have even been controversial as early as
  the mid 1900s. These included certain cruel and
  unusual treatment of animals and certain forms of
  hunting such as market hunting.

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• Understanding peoples attitude toward hunting is
  important for a wildlife manager.
• There have been a number of research in the past
  few decades in this area.
• Results of these research have actually been
  fairly consistent.

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• Peoples attitude toward hunting appears to
  depend on the characteristics of the hunter and
  the purpose of the hunt.
• People are more likely to support hunting for
  food than for sport or trophy.
• A 1995 study by Heberlein and Willebrand found
  that 91 of the respondents supported subsistence
  hunting, 73 supported hunting for recreation and
  meat, and 40 supported hunting for recreation
  and sport.

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• So, what are the different factors that affect
  hunting participation?
• There are a number of factors that play important
  roles. These factors can be divided into two
  major groups Population factors and human
  dimensions factors.

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• There are a number of population factors that
  affect hunting participation.
• These factors basically represent some type of
  changes in certain population characteristics.
• These population-related factors include

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• Urbanization higher the proportion of urban
  population in a state, lower the hunting
  participation rate. States like CA, CT, FL, HI,
  IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, and RI prove that point
• Ethnicity and race racial composition within the
  population is changing, but hunting participation
  remains very low among minorities
• Aging The U.S. has a relatively high proportion
  of aging population, hunting participation tend
  to be lower in the higher age groups

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• The human dimensions factors seek to explain
  questions like why people hunt? How do they start
  hunting? Why do they continue hunting? Or, if
  they quit hunting, why?
• Answers to questions like these are important to
  resource managers because once answers to these
  questions are well-understood, resource managers
  can try to address the problems.
• These factors include

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• Initiation to hunting How did the individual get
  interested in hunting? Influence of a male figure
  appears to be important.
• Year-to-year participation Why do people
  continue or stop? Family and social support (or
  lack thereof) appears to be important.
• Reasons for hunting People hunt for a variety of
  reasons. Decker et al. (1984) found three
  motivationsachievement (such as trophy),
  affiliation (strengthening personal relationships
  with friends and family), and appreciation
  (escape from the daily grind and relax).