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Human activities, including the movement of harvested cervids, pose significant risks for spreading chronic wasting disease (CWD) to new locations. This study used hierarchical agglomerative clustering to compare Minnesota, USA hunters' carcass disposal habits and likelihood of CWD testing as a function of individual differences in risk perceptions and hunting area. We utilized a survey of Minnesota hunters conducted during Spring 2020 that included a random sample of individuals that hunt statewide and in a local disease management zone (N = 5,000, response rate = 33%). We did not detect a significant difference in disposal behaviors as a function of CWD risk perceptions, but rather because of increased accessibility of low-risk disposal methods. Conversely, we found perceived likelihood of conducting CWD testing was positively associated with perceptions of risk. These findings have implications for vector tracing for future CWD outbreaks and highlight the benefit of understanding constituent habits and regulation compliance in disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing wildlife diseases is a constant challenge in wildlife management and may require increasing attention as climate change increases the range, spread, and transmission cycles of some of these diseases in North America. The present study quantified hunters' compliance with chronic wasting disease (CWD) risk-reduction practices across 26 deer management units (DMUs) in Ohio. We assessed self-reported, typical deer processing behaviors among hunters who reported hunting in and near the Disease Surveillance Area (DSA). Results indicate that noncompliance with deer processing recommendations was considerably higher in the DMU encompassing the DSA. Addressing noncompliance will likely require locally focused communication and outreach centered on the risk of CWD in the area. Communication that highlights the wider prevailing norms of the following recommendations (60–70% of Ohio hunters either take their deer to a processor or put unused parts in the trash or landfill) may influence behavior change, especially in combination with more tailored, culturally driven outreach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recolonization of French forests by wolves is met with mixed feelings. While the spotlight is on predation of wolves on livestock, the potential benefit of the return of wolves has attracted less attention. Previous research has failed to assess the economic value of these benefits and focused only on the cost of predation. Our study proposes a modeling exercise to evaluate one of the services provided by wolves, namely, the reduction of collisions between wildlife and vehicles in France. We estimated that in 2018 the consumption of roe deer and wild boar by wolves saved between 2.4–7.8 million euros by preventing casualties and damage to property in road collisions. Offsetting this benefit with the costs of managing livestock predation could move the debate away from a simple clash between herders and environmentalists toward a more systemic approach and thus improve coexistence between wolves and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in public values, beliefs, and expectations are leading to calls for transformational change in natural resource management agencies. Paradoxically, however, organizational features of management agencies condition them to seek stability rather than change. We evaluated quantitative data from 2012 to 2017 surveys of personnel and coded employee focus groups and individual interviews to evaluate an organizational change effort within a state wildlife agency (SWA). Results suggested that employees perceived increased positive changes and increased support from management for the change initiative, which contributed to greater personal commitment to the change initiative. No differences, however, were detected in other indicators of change in the culture, such as openness to new ideas, over the five-year period. Qualitative findings revealed specific drivers and barriers to change. We interpret these findings and provide recommendations to leaders in other SWAs who may be considering organizational change efforts. Our findings suggest that tempered expectations among stakeholders and organizations are warranted regarding the rate and magnitude at which organizational change can occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about bats often underlie social support for bat management and intentions to conserve bats. Effective bat conservation and management hinges on understanding these drivers across contexts. Lands classified as wildland-urban interface (WUI) are rapidly expanding in the USA, increasing the likelihood of human-bat interactions from management practices and encroachment on forested landscapes. We surveyed 410 households in one Arizona WUI community to assess residents' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and emotions toward bats, and differences among these variables associated with demographic traits, past encounters with bats, support for bat management, and willingness to place artificial bat roosts on their properties. Greater knowledge and positive attitudes, beliefs, and emotions positively predicted willingness to place roosts 59% to 85% of the time, varying across demographic groups; they did not predict support for bat management. Our findings demonstrated that contexts and demographic traits are important considerations for bat conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal governments are emerging as important stakeholders in managing the populations and geographic distributions of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in urban and suburban areas of the Northeastern United States. To understand the variation in municipal-level concerns about deer and municipal policies related to deer management, we distributed a questionnaire to all 351 municipalities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2017 (response rate = 74%) and collected data on local bylaws that influence hunting access. We found that concerns about deer vary across the state and some municipalities are taking action to manage increasing deer populations. In particular, our analysis established the importance of deer and deer management in the suburban regions of Massachusetts, while uncovering many local differences within similar suburban areas. The varying relationships between deer populations, public concerns, and municipal actions illustrated the complex role of municipal decision-makers in shaping wildlife management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poaching represents one of the most important issues in wildlife management and biodiversity conservation. In this paper, we analyzed effects of socioeconomic, institutional, and locational characteristics of villages in the periphery of the W Reserve in West Africa on poaching. We used a reduced form model and unique data from 93 villages. Our empirical results showed that population size and distance of the villages to the reserve were related to poaching in the reserve. Villages with larger populations and in closer proximity to the reserve were associated with greater poaching in the reserve. Overall, these results suggest that policies to reduce poaching in the reserve must be considered in a comprehensive framework and include migration incentives for villages with larger populations and are closer to the reserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been recommended that wildlife management should be tailored to either wildlife value orientations (WVOs) or social identities (SIs) because both can influence stakeholders' attitudes. However, a comparison of associations of WVOs and SIs with attitudes of stakeholders is lacking in the literature. We examined WVOs and attitudes toward red deer management among 834 individuals, encompassing foresters, hunting tenants, and conservationists (presumed to have strong SIs), as well as citizens, councilors, and forest owners (presumed to have weak SIs). Foresters' and hunting tenants' attitudes did not differ, despite the presence of different WVOs among each group, whereas conservationists' attitudes partly and citizens,' councilors' and forest owners' attitudes were strongly associated with different WVOs. Those with strong SIs should be addressed in terms of self-concepts and group processes. We recommend qualitative research on the SIs of stakeholders and quantitative research on the linkages of SIs and other social-psychological concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding hunting motivations across skill levels is useful for addressing the decline in hunting participation in North America and allows managers to target their recruitment and retention strategies to hunters with different skill levels. We used principal component analysis and ANOVA to explore similarities and differences between three self-assessed hunting skill levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) in six motivations: (a) cultural traditions, (b) being outdoors, (c) challenge, (d) solitude, (e) social, and (f) meat. Our research illustrates that "cultural traditions" as a motivation construct plays an important role for Alaskan hunters. We found that advanced hunters were motivated primarily by cultural and social factors, thus emphasizing the need to focus on retention management strategies around these motivations. Hunting for meat was the most important motivation for intermediate hunters. For the motivations of being outdoors and challenge, there were no statistically significant differences between the three skill levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizens can engage in wildlife conservation by participating in citizen science (CS) projects about wildlife. Interest in wildlife and science has been found to be one motivation for CS participation. Yet, we suggest that emotional responses, such as compassion for suffering, injured, or distressed wildlife, are relevant motivations that have so far been understudied. Compassion is known to increase behavioral intentions to alleviate suffering and, thus, is likely to have beneficial consequences for wildlife CS projects. Therefore, our two studies investigated the impact of different wildlife photographs on compassion, attitudes toward CS, and intentions to engage in CS. We found that photographs of distressed raccoons and foxes increased compassion, which thereby increased attitudes toward CS projects and some intentions to participate in these projects. Thus, compassion may be a relevant factor for increasing citizens' engagement in wildlife conservation. We discuss the implications of our findings for CS and wildlife conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has impacted wildlife management in Canada. An integral partner in CWD management is the hunting community. This article empirically explored the response of Alberta mule deer hunters to CWD by modeling license application trends in areas where CWD has been positively detected in wild cervids. The relationship between resident draw applications and covariates of CWD prevalence, hunting quotas, draw success rates, licenses, and environmental indicators was examined with a fixed effects (FE) regression model. Results indicated that hunters are continuing to apply to hunt mule deer in areas with CWD and this relationship is not statistically impacted by the increasing prevalence of CWD. This outcome may be because CWD prevalence in Alberta is relatively low (but increasing), which is consistent with the literature indicating that few hunters avoid CWD zones until prevalence increases dramatically. Results also suggest that hunter-based strategies remain effective options for management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustaining public support for new and existing protected areas including wildlife management areas (WMA) requires demonstrating whether and how protected areas can bring economic benefit to local stakeholders. This is particularly critical in rural areas where increasing acres in WMAs may lead to reduction in tax revenue available that local governments need for provision of many public services. This study presents an approach to characterize economic contribution of WMA related expenditures by visitors and wildlife agency on county and state level economy. While the results are based on data from Tennessee WMAs, the economic multipliers presented here may be applicable to other comparable places in projecting economic impacts of WMA related activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assessed household perceptions of the effects of wildlife management strategies on subsistence poaching in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. A total of 226 households in the Okavango Delta villages of Ditshiping, Khwai, Tubu, and Habu were interviewed about their views regarding wildlife legislation, policies, strategies, and possible impacts on subsistence poaching. Informed by the Routine Activities Theory, this study revealed that households perceived Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) as an effective strategy to reduce subsistence poaching. However, following the 2014 government moratorium on wildlife hunting, CBNRM became ineffective in reducing poaching. The hunting ban was perceived by households to have resulted in loss of trophy hunting income, joblessness, lack of game meat, and increases in subsistence poaching. CBNRM and the hunting ban were conflicting strategies, the simultaneous implementation of which led to the alienation of local communities in wildlife management and the perceived upsurge in subsistence poaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife management often requires accurate estimates of hunter participation and species harvested. Sending pre-season hunting cards for recording activity can improve the accuracy of estimates. This research note examined the influence of record cards on the shape of waterfowl hunting survey response distributions. Data were obtained from a 2013–2014 mail survey of 1,796 waterfowl hunters in Illinois. Results indicated that individuals who received a record card were: (a) more likely to report small harvest and days hunting values (beginning of distribution), and (b) less likely to give responses that contributed to heaping (middle of distribution) compared to non-record card recipients. Record cards did not influence the end of the distribution, as frequency functions for all respondents were long-tailed distributions. Results imply that record card responses are more accurate than non-record card responses. Non-record card estimates were approximately 10% biased. Results supported continued use of record cards to limit bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Arctic Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) Herd (CACH) of Arctic Alaska rapidly declined (approximately 70%) between 2010–2016, which has generated hunter concerns and more conservative hunting regulations. Stakeholders expressed interest in exploring opportunities for a more effective exchange of information to facilitate management. We conducted a survey to identify hunters' insights into CACH dynamics and to estimate the extent and effectiveness of stakeholder communication channels. Most hunters (69%) perceived a decline in caribou numbers where they hunt because of shifts in caribou movement. Approximately half of hunters (46%) communicated with other stakeholders and primarily shared their thoughts through solely informal (29%) rather than formal (2%) communication channels. Informal channels were perceived as equally or more effective than formal channels for influencing management. We provided a revised model of hunter engagement in the regulatory process. Our research contributes to knowledge on stakeholder communication channels, an understudied topic within wildlife management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are fascinating wildlife species. Yet, many citizens tend to perceive them as threatening. Such perceptions could influence citizens' knowledge acquisition about bats. In terms of wildlife management, it is important to understand what citizens who perceive bats as threatening learn about bats. Evolutionarily, it is likely that humans process negative information about threatening bats more attentively as they may encounter them again in the future. Therefore, this study investigated how representations of bats as threatening affected participants' recall of information by comparing a threatening representation to other representations of bats as cute, neutral, and imperiled. We hypothesized and found that representations of bats as threatening elicited recall of more negative pieces of information and more pieces of information overall than representations of bats as imperiled, neutral, or cute. Thus, threatening bats increased citizens' knowledge acquisition. We discuss the implications for wildlife management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nonprofit tourism organization, Spirit Way Inc., has been attempting to brand Thompson, Manitoba as the "Wolf Capital of the World" (WCOTW). Success of this initiative, however, requires local support. It was hypothesized that general attitude toward wolves mediates relationships between existence value of wolves and three behavioral intentions, including support. The relationship between existence value and attitude toward wolves was predicted to be positive. Positive relationships were also predicted between attitude and: (a) willingness to pay for the WCOTW, (b) support for the WCOTW, and (c) interest in visiting wolf exhibits/enclosures. Data were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to a random sample of Thompson residents (n = 389, response rate = 77%). Results indicated that attitude fully mediated relationships between existence value and the three behavioral intentions. Attitude was also positively related to each intention. Understanding concepts related to support for an initiative facilitates educational efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional methods of assessing human-animal interactions include questionnaires or targeted interviews. More people typically use the internet as their primary source of information and now the availability and ease of collecting data from internet search terms mean that patterns of human-animal interactions can be assessed. In this study, internet search data of human-red fox interactions were analyzed for annual and monthly patterns. In general, patterns of internet searches were highest during April–August, reflecting key events for foxes such as denning and cub rearing. Increased searches for human-fox conflict solutions during this same period may also reflect changes in human behavior (e.g., increased garden usage). Annual increases in some search terms suggested an increasing awareness of foxes and problems with the species. This study shows that internet searches can show clear seasonal patterns that are associated with important periods of species biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Delphi exercise involving 17 senior national parks' biologists in the United States of America and Canada examined how evolving concepts of wildlife health resonated with Parks' needs. Participants examined wildlife health as a multi-factorial cumulative effect that provides capacity to cope with a changing world. They agreed that this concept of health was consistent with Parks' goals and provided insight on various aspects of wildlife health in national parks. Social and environmental determinants of health were perceived to be greater threats to wildlife health than etiological hazards such as pathogens, the more typical focus of wildlife health efforts. While social and anthropogenic factors are primary drivers of these threats, participants did not explicitly rank social variables as the more important drivers of wildlife health nor did the majority view health as a social construct. The results clearly show support for moving toward a contemporary approach of wildlife health management, as opposed to disease management, and for the need of collective, team-based approaches to protecting the suite of determinants of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined wildlife value orientations (WVOs) among university students on MScs focusing on the environment, nature management and conservation, animal science and disease control – in short, wildlife majors – who are pre-professional. It used a US survey instrument on WVOs delivered via an Internet-based questionnaire in 2018 (n = 180). Most respondents were mutualists. Forest and Nature Management students were more utilitarian than students on other MSc programs. The results can be used to check on, or anticipate, potential differences in value orientation between stakeholders and the public, and they may help to improve communication and limit potential conflict. Whether wildlife professionals or the public should (potentially) adjust their values is an open question. Future studies should explore value orientations of accomplished conservation and wildlife management professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife managers can use wildlife value orientations (WVOs) to help predict public acceptance of management actions. However, WVOs may only be effective if they have high predictive value and research on small and non-charismatic wildlife has indicated this is not universally true. In this paper, we report the findings of a survey (n= 376) that evaluated the predictive value of WVOs (domination and mutualism) for six mid-size predator species across three conflict scenarios (no conflict, property damage, threats to humans/pets) and four management actions (do nothing, trap and relocate, citizen lethal trap/hunt, lethal removal by control experts). WVOs explained the most variance for lethal management actions (citizens hunt/trap 22–40%; experts lethally remove 14–31%), and least for trapping and relocating (<1–10%). Species was related to the predictive power of WVOs, as the most variation was explained for coyotes, and least for otters. Findings demonstrate that WVOs provide valuable insights for management decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful rewilding of large carnivores depends on public acceptance, but the public frequently has little awareness about wildlife and specific reintroduction proposals. This article evaluated the determinants of public support for grizzly bear reintroduction in California to understand how value orientations, political ideology, and demographics predict attitudes when the public has little species-specific knowledge. We surveyed 980 Californians, showing that value orientations, awareness, and perceptions of costs and benefits shaped attitudes toward grizzly reintroduction, even when only one-quarter of the respondents knew that grizzly bears were extirpated from California. Almost two-thirds of respondents were supportive of reintroduction, rationalizing their support with assessments of societal and ecological costs and benefits. Lack of public awareness, perceptions of personal threats, and willingness to rationalize stated preferences provide cautionary notes to managers. Our results suggest that managers should offer early articulation of costs, benefits, and threats before reintroductions become politicized and opposition becomes entrenched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public support ensures hunting persists as a recreation opportunity and tool for wildlife management. Non-hunters' attitudes are particularly important, as they comprise large majorities in most countries. While public opinion data consistently show widespread positive attitudes toward hunting, declining hunting participation and increasing urbanization portend an uncertain future. Some surveys show attitudes toward hunting vary based on message aspect, yet few experiments have investigated whether particular messages induce attitude change, especially among non-hunters. Here, we report results from a preliminary randomized controlled trial testing message impact on non-hunters' attitudes toward hunting. Attitudes were significantly improved when non-hunters received messages emphasizing that hunting provides a local, organic source of meat, and is governed by regulations informed by wildlife biology. Other messages were less effective. To maintain public support for hunting, more research is needed to better understand the mechanisms and audiences for which these and other messages may improve attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of wildlife populations has changed in the last century, coinciding with decreasing hunter populations and interest. Supply and demand suggest that reducing available harvest permits should increase the perceived value of permits, leading to an increase in hunter interest and motivation. We used annual harvest data and hunter surveys to study the effects of decreasing the supply of permits over two decades in Wisconsin. The number of permits issued was important in the top models for annual bobcat harvest and hunter participation. The decrease in the supply of permits was strongly correlated with increases in the number of applications for permits (R2 =.82) and hunter participation (R2 =.93), whereas increased hunter interest (applications and participation) was correlated with hunter success (percent of filled permits; R2applications =.90, R2participation =.93). This increasing trend in hunter populations and interest runs counter to general decreasing trends across North America and highlights the critical role of permit supply in wildlife management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meanings attached to animals speak to context-specific socio-political differences that are crucial to the success of conservation and wildlife management programs. The social construction of animals, however, remains underrepresented in wildlife management scholarship and practice. We conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with farmers and urbanites, and analyzed the case of the Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. People had negative perceptions of this species that revealed three themes about its labeling: (a) the bird as foreign; (b) the bird as a threat to livelihoods, the nation, and other species; and (c) the bird as a criminal. We have identified this phenomenon as an example of eco-xenophobia, which describes how non-human species come to be classified as foreign or as "other" and not the "rightful" occupants of a territory. We concluded that the narratives associated with animals cannot be ignored, especially when species become focal in wildlife management and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changing attitudes and behaviors of a targeted audience are common ambitions of outreach campaigns. Anthropomorphized images are used to promote and facilitate conservation and environmental messaging. To evaluate their effectiveness as a messaging tactic, Indiana adults were surveyed to examine if attitudes and behavioral intentions (BIs) differed due to image type (cartoon vs. photograph) for three non-charismatic wildlife species. Wildlife management professionals (WMPs) were also interviewed to evaluate their perspectives. Unexpectedly, the surveyed population's increase in attitudes and BIs was species dependent and the cartoon was not unanimously better received. Only one cartoon species was able to elicit a significantly more positive measure than its photograph. WMPs highlighted the cartoon's need for mass appeal, accuracy, and clear messaging. The ability of cartoons to selectively impact attitudes, in conjunction with the support of WMPs, demonstrates that with thoughtful application, cartoons can sometimes be an effective messaging tool for non-charismatic species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-management of resources among Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments offers a holistic approach that invites the inclusion of indigenous knowledge (IK) into conservation and management planning. Although numbers of co-management agreements in Canada are increasing, broad integration of IK-derived information in wildlife management has been limited, leaving an enormous gap in scientific understanding that could otherwise aid in conservation and management initiatives. In this article, we emphasize how wildlife management has benefited from IK integration, often fostered through co-management initiatives, by highlighting several examples of successful past and emerging moose (Alces alces) co-management and IK integration initiatives across Canada. Our examples demonstrate that co-management and IK integration is beneficial in all cases and has resulted in initiatives aimed toward ensuring the sustainability of moose for generations to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization and shifting landowner demographics are changing how and where hunting occurs. We surveyed nonindustrial private landowners (N = 1,843) in North Carolina, USA to examine how demographics and land-use predict whether hunting occurred and hunter density. The optimal logistic regression model correctly predicted whether hunting occurred on 96% of properties. Larger properties, male property ownership, longer ownership tenure, income generation from a property, and landowners originating from rural environments were positively related to whether a property was hunted. Properties with older landowners and properties surrounded by greater housing and road density were less likely to be hunted. Hunter density declined with property size, longer ownership tenure, and the presence of a landowner or family member(s) hunting the property. In the future, increases in hunter density on small properties may facilitate wildlife management through hunting as landscapes become more urbanized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural resource agencies often use mail surveys to collect stakeholder information. A major concern of mail surveys, however, has long been relatively low response rates compared to telephone or face-to-face interviews. Survey research has largely focused on achieving high response rates; however, in some situations even well-designed surveys can have low response rates. We present an example of a three-page (25 questions) survey measuring opinions and attitudes about native fish management in the South Dakota Black Hills region that received a relatively low response rate (21%) using a mailing, postcard reminder, and second mailing of the questionnaire. We compared response rate and data quality of a third mailing of the full questionnaire with a one-page (five questions) questionnaire measuring key variables to evaluate possible nonresponse bias. Within the total survey error (TSE) paradigm we provide evidence that reliable and useful information was collected by this survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public feeding of free-roaming cats subsidizes their population growth, and has consequences in highly interconnected ecosystems including predation of native wildlife and alteration of their behavior and populations. Research is needed to explain, predict, and possibly curb public feeding. We conducted a theoretically informed analysis of key beliefs underlying intentions to feed free-roaming cats in Malaysia, offering new insights as well as management suggestions. Normative beliefs had the strongest associations with behavioral intentions. Management strategies should consider social influences from families and friends of those who feed free-roaming cats, especially cat owners and their significant others. Our results also suggest key behavioral beliefs regarding disadvantages of feeding free-roaming cats could be strengthened through education and other initiatives. The findings are particularly important for Malaysia, which is biodiversity-rich but has a large free-roaming cat population and a high incidence of public feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have important socioeconomic and ecological impacts in the United States. Hunting is considered to be important for the effective management of deer and relies on access to privately owned lands. In 2013, we surveyed nonindustrial private landowners in southeast Minnesota and created two logit models to examine factors that impact landowners’ decision to (a) allow public hunting access and (b) post private property. Parcel characteristics were found to impact landowner decisions to allow hunting access, particularly the size of the property and whether it was posted. Hunting access to small properties was more likely to be restricted to family, friends, and neighbors (83%) compared to medium (74%) or large properties (60%). Hunter concerns (e.g., liability) and knowledge about deer management was significant in both models, suggesting there are opportunities to educate landowners about the importance of allowing public hunting access and available liability protections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examined relationships between proximity to chronic wasting disease (CWD) and perceived risk and trust. The sample included 1,606 hunters in one of 10 northern Illinois counties with CWD, 1,958 hunters in a non-CWD county adjacent to these counties with CWD, and 2,099 hunters from the remaining non-CWD counties in Illinois. Compared to hunters in non-CWD counties, those in CWD counties were hypothesized to: (a) perceive more risk of CWD to humans, (b) perceive more risk of CWD to deer, (c) report less trust in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) CWD information, and (d) have less trust in the IDNR management of CWD. The first two hypotheses were not supported, as hunters in CWD counties perceived less risk to humans and deer than did respondents in non-CWD counties. Hunters in CWD counties, however, were less trusting of the IDNR information and management compared to the other hunters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increased poaching pressures, rhinoceroses have become a financial liability due to expensive anti-poaching security costs required to protect this species. Nonetheless, approximately one-third of South Africa’s rhinoceros population is protected on private lands. In a time when the future existence of rhinoceroses is uncertain, it is important to determine (a) the considerations included in private sector decisions to participate in rhinoceros conservation and (b) how increased conservation of rhinoceroses on private lands may be attained. We conducted semi-structured interviews with private wildlife ranchers and reserve managers in South Africa to answer these questions. Respondents cataloged financial (e.g., security costs, tourism revenues) and nonfinancial (e.g., psychological stresses, emotional attachment) factors that influence their decisions to keep rhinoceroses on their lands. Despite significant costs of rhinoceros ownership, rhinoceros owners were willing to engage in conservation efforts because of the nonfinancial benefits they derive from protecting rhinoceroses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We installed 12 pond levelers to counter flooding by beavers and developed a cost-benefit analysis for these sites in Alberta, Canada. We also documented beaver management approaches throughout Alberta. Over 3 years, one site required regular maintenance until we designed a modified pond leveler; another required minor modifications. Others required almost no maintenance. Based on a “willingness-to-pay” (WTP) of $0 and discount rate of 3%, installing pond levelers resulted in a present value net benefit of $81,519 over 3 years and $179,440 over 7 years. Scenarios incorporating discount rates of 3% and 7%, horizons of either 3 or 7 years, and varying WTPs resulted in significant net benefits. Provincially, municipalities employed up to seven methods to control beavers: most commonly lethal control and dam removal. Total annual costs provided by 48 municipalities and 4 provincial parks districts were $3,139,223; however, cost-accounting was sometimes incomplete, which makes this a conservative estimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liberalized harvest of antlerless moose (Alces alces) in Alaska has resulted in conflict between wildlife managers and hunters. To address this issue, I surveyed moose hunters (n = 845, 35% response rate) to quantify and characterize acceptance of antlerless moose harvest. I found that 16%, 69%, and 15% of hunters thought antlerless hunts were always, sometimes, or never acceptable, respectively. Characteristics of the never acceptable group frequently differed from the other two groups. Using a multinomial logistic regression, I estimated that the odds of a hunter being in the never acceptable group was more likely if he/she strongly distrusted agency data (odds = 4.8), resided in the area with antlerless hunts (odds = 3.5), and had >20 years of moose hunting experience (odds = 3.4). My findings imply that a relatively small proportion of hunters can disproportionately direct wildlife management attention, especially in the absence of scientifically derived information on the human dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culling kangaroos, Australia's most abundant marsupial, is a controversial practice in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The ACT government introduced a kangaroo management plan in response to the growing kangaroo population causing damage in grassland ecosystems. Although some groups (e.g., local government, some researchers) support implementation of this plan, critics claim it is inhumane and lacks concrete evidence. To examine media portrayal of this debate, this study conducted a content analysis of newspaper coverage between 2006 and 2016. Although ACT newspapers were impartial in their presentation of the debate, sources that previous studies found were typically considered trustworthy to speak on the scientific validity of the program were found to have conflicting messages and be less represented in the media. Thus, future research should explore if the messenger is more important than the message in determining influences on public perceptions about the use of lethal control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research note used the potential for conflict index (PCI2) to visually clarify how individualswith a positive, neutral, or negative attitude toward mountain lions vary in support or opposition toward lethal management of this species. Data were obtained from a mail survey of residents (n = 2,668, 59% response rate) in Denver, Colorado. Attitude toward mountain lions was measured with three semantic differential items (good-bad, positive-negative, and beneficial-harmful; Cronbach alpha = .84). Respondents reported their acceptance of lethal management of mountain lions in four scenarios (a mountain lion is seen, kills a pet, injures a person, or kills a person in a residential area). Among those with a negative attitude, killing the mountain lion was acceptable in all scenarios and consensus progressively increased (smaller PCI2 values) as the severity of interaction increased. The reverse was generally true for those with a positive attitude (less consensus was demonstrated by larger PCI2 values). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black bear populations in Alabama have been low since the early part of the 20th century, but an increase in sightings over the past decade has led researchers to believe that populations may be growing, spurring discussions on restoring the species throughout its native range in the state. The rise of a large carnivore population is likely to increase human-wildlife interactions and attract outspoken opinions in support of and against population recovery. We conducted a mail survey of Alabama residents to access public views and opinions toward growing bear populations. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the degree to which residents' attitudes toward black bears could be predicted by demographic, cognitive, and experiential variables. Results demonstrate that the strongest predictors of attitudes toward bears included mutualist and hunting beliefs, trust in the state wildlife management agency, race, and exposure to bear education materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild dogs contribute to a range of negative impacts in Australian peri-urban regions. We identified and prioritized 13 behaviors that peri-urban residents could engage in to reduce the impacts of wild dogs in their communities. Key-informant interviews and stakeholder focus groups were used to develop a list of wild dog-management behaviors. On-line surveys with wild dog experts (n = 10) and periurban residents (n = 302) were used to create a Behavior Prioritization Matrix (BPM), which ranked the behaviors in terms of projected impact, based on: (a) expert estimates of effectiveness, (b) current adoption levels (penetration), and (c) likelihood of future adoption. BPM analysis indicated that increasing community reporting of wild dogs and their impacts would produce the greatest overall benefits for wild dog management. Behaviors rated as highly effective by experts (e.g., baiting and trapping) had low projected impact given that they were unlikely to be adopted by most residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild pigs are a free-ranging invasive species capable of inflicting significant damage on rural property. Wildlife management personnel may benefit from understanding the negative societal impact of wild pigs. A statewide mail survey of randomly selected landowners was conducted in rural Tennessee counties known to have wild pigs. The economic value of damage caused by wild pigs in 2015 in these counties was estimated at $26.22 million, whereas the cost incurred in control and eradication was $2.09 million. Input-output modeling of damage in these counties on the state’s economy showed $32.8 million in lost industrial output, $4.6 million in lost labor income, and 332 jobs or job equivalents affected. Findings are useful in understanding the types of damage, and the extent of these impacts on the rural economy. They could also facilitate comparing the expected benefit with the cost of control programs in Tennessee and comparable areas facing similar invasions from wild pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Wildlife agencies balance the effectiveness of management with public acceptability. Past research has demonstrated stakeholders’ normative beliefs regarding management are influenced by the severity of the human-wildlife interaction, and the harshness of human response. Such beliefs may be more complex when public and private interests intertwine. In Montana, concerns about Brucellosis spreading from wild elk to domestic livestock prompted agencies to consider new management actions on private lands. We investigated how normative beliefs within stakeholder groups related to reciprocity between landowners and the public, and elk population status, using a linear mixed-effects analysis of mail survey responses. Proposed actions were considerably more acceptable in scenarios where landowners reciprocated with public hunting access, and where elk populations were abundant. Acceptability of lethal actions varied substantially across scenarios, indicating a need for a nuanced understanding of how stakeholders perceive different wildlife control measures, especially in private land contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An individual’s decision to support conservation efforts can be affected by personal attitudes. We interviewed 100 indigenous livestock farmers on Ehirovipuka and ≠Khoadi //Hôas communal conservancies in Namibia. As conservancy support groups work with farmers, there is a need to understand what influences farmer decisions to engage in ecotourism activities for livelihood. We evaluated cognitive characteristics of farmers and their attitudes toward 10 species of wildlife. Farmers had negative attitudes toward predators, more positive attitudes toward meat-producing species and a hornbill (Tockussp.), and moderate attitudes toward African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and black rhino (Diceros bicornis), which can cause damage but also attract tourists. We show support for a partial mediation model in which cognitive characteristics of farmers predicted attitudes toward predators and damage animals. The attitudes toward these species, in turn, predicted participation in the ecotourism industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAM) is a slippery construct, used both to explain how North American wildlife conservation developed and as a prescriptive framework. We argue both applications of the NAM are problematic. The roots of wildlife conservation in North America are more complex than those associated with the NAM, and minimizing contributions from diverse sources makes building a diverse wildlife conservation community more difficult than it would otherwise be. The NAM is not inclusive enough of diversity among wildlife species or stakeholders. Principles labeled the bedrock foundation of the NAM exist in flux and at the whim of political systems. Belief that the NAM reflects a foundation of laws more stable than the milieu of governance structures shaping wildlife management can encourage complacency among wildlife conservation advocates. Wildlife management exists in systems too complex to be beneficially defined by a terse list of principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participatory methods for people with diverse literacy levels are needed for community-based wildlife conservation, particularly in developing countries. The Nominal Group Technique was adapted for 55 illiterate and semi-literate attendees across 10 stakeholder meetings with rural populations in Kenya. Ranking cards with different colors, sizes, and symbols were used concomitant with research assistants to engage community members and prioritize ideas. This Adapted Nominal Group Technique elicited 544 ideas in response to four discussion and ranking questions. This process facilitated participation by individuals with low literacy and those with low levels of formal education. This led to inclusive planning for community projects. This Adapted Nominal Group Technique appears to be promising for application in other developing country settings for rapid exploratory data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the effects of message framing on intentions to participate in seven behaviors to prevent coyote problems, we randomly assigned 461 participants to a control (no message) group or one of four experimental (message) conditions, as part of a 2 (gain versus loss) x 2 (family-referencing versus community-referencing) between-subjects factorial design. We found a significant three-way interaction between gain versus loss framing, point of reference, and past experience with coyotes on intentions to prevent human–coyote conflicts. For people who had encountered coyotes before, the family-referencing, gain-framed message had superior persuasive power; the family-referencing, loss-framed message was more effective in stimulating problem-prevention behavioral intentions for those who had not encountered coyotes. In addition, fear fully mediated the relationship between the three-way interaction and behavioral intentions. Tailoring messages to audiences based on prior experience with coyote problems may improve the efficacy of communication campaigns designed to reduce problem interactions with coyotes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Understanding how and why trapping effort varies among fur trappers is necessary to accurately interpret trends in fur harvest for wildlife management. We mailed questionnaires to 1,760 fur trappers in interior Alaska to characterize motivations for trapping and primary factors affecting trapping effort. A cluster analysis revealed four groups with distinct motivations for trapping: wildlife management (17% of trappers), recreation (39%), subsistence (18%), and solitude (26%) trappers. Perceived furbearer abundance had the greatest effect on trapping effort, while access to land and human conflicts were the most important social issues to trappers. Economic gain was the least important motivation for trapping among respondents. Because trapping effort mirrored furbearer abundance, harvest-based abundance indices may amplify true changes in population sizes. Our findings also suggested that managers seeking to maintain or increase satisfaction among trappers should focus on reducing human conflicts and maximizing the non-monetary benefits of trapping. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Management of black bears (Ursus americanus) in urban settings is of growing concern because they often recolonize areas from which they had been extirpated. Urban landscapes offer much needed bear habitat, buffer habitat losses in other areas, and offer protection for bear populations, but only if conflicts between bears and humans are managed. In collaboration with the Northern Bear Awareness Society in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, a survey of a sample of Prince George residents was conducted to determine their attitudes toward black bears and bear management, including euthanasia (N = 71). These residents tended to feel positively toward black bears, but were split on the issue of euthanasia, with half being firmly opposed and half recognizing the need under certain conditions. There was a significant preference for non-lethal management tools, suggesting an opportunity for governments to explore options for managing human activities that created bear attractants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

State wildlife agencies are increasingly seeking the advice and cooperation of wildlife stakeholders, including that of private hunting cooperatives. While there is some evidence that the interests and actions of private deer cooperatives align with those of state wildlife agencies, little is known about the internal social mechanisms that explain this. Social network theory and analysis can shed some light on these internal group dynamics. This article used egocentric network analysis to examine the effect of peer groups on the antlerless harvest decisions of individuals in private deer cooperatives. Our primary result was that the members of one’s egocentric network influence the harvest behavior of that individual, providing some evidence for the potential of social network theory and analysis to understand and improve on the strategies used to address a variety of resource-related problems in wildlife management and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Despite hunter access influencing harvest success, few studies have quantified characteristics of hunter access. Based on spatially explicit interview data, we used geographic information system (GIS) analyses to calculate access pathways and distances that rural hunters traveled to moose (Alces alces) harvest locations in Interior Alaska. Using Jenks Natural Breaks classification, approximately 53%, 21%, 5%, and 21% of harvest locations occurred along navigable rivers within 0 to 24, 25 to 52, 53 to 86, and >86 km (0 to 14, 15 to 32, 33 to 53, and >53 mi), respectively, from the hunter’s community of residence. We used moose density estimates in the area being accessed by hunters to calculate annual moose harvest. Our results were similar to estimates from independent sources that used more standardized methods (e.g., agency household surveys). This suggests that our access-based approach has potential to provide an alternative method for estimating harvest intensity in areas where harvest report data are considered unreliable. Also, our findings demonstrated how insight on hunter access may help prioritize areas for active management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]