Search

Data from two studies examined the: (a) attitudes and behavioral intentions of the public regarding the use of genetic engineering (GE) for addressing chestnut blight and helping to restore America...

Research models applying social exchange theory to examine factors predicting residents’ support for tourism have been challenged for their inability to explain support fully. Recent studies drawin...

This article examines overtourism indicators at Kailua Beach Park in Hawaiʻi, and demonstrates a systematic approach to assessing carrying capacity by pairing descriptive indicators with more commo...

This article examines public values and attitudes associated with the current marine reserves (MRs) in Oregon (United States), and how attitudes might change if these areas were to be designated as...

This article examined constraints to visiting urban parks and natural areas in the Portland, Oregon (USA) metropolitan region, as well as spatial attributes of these constraints. Data were ...

This research note examined encounters, norms, crowding, satisfaction, and displacement among people snorkeling and scuba diving with manta rays at sites in Hawaii. These sites are popular with up ...

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 C...

This article examined relationships among hunter perceptions of personal health risks from chronic wasting disease (CWD), knowledge and information about CWD, and perceptions of other hunting, wildlife, and health risks. Data were obtained from surveys of 2,725 deer and elk hunters in Colorado. Cluster analysis grouped hunters into no (42%), slight (44%), and moderate (14%) risk groups based on perceptions of personal health risks from CWD (e.g., concern about health, become ill from CWD). There were minimal differences among groups in demographics, information sources, and knowledge about CWD. Hunters who perceived higher health risks from CWD (i.e., moderate risk), however, perceived greater risks associated with CWD to other humans, CWD to wildlife, hunting to personal health, other diseases to health, and the future of hunting. These findings illustrated the concept of risk sensitivity where hunters who perceived higher risks from CWD were predisposed to rate all other risks as large.

Scuba diving and snorkeling with manta rays (M. birostris, M. alfredi) at sites in Hawaii, USA, have become popular, with upward of 30 tour boats and 300 participants daily. This article examined whether conflicts are occurring within and between these activities and if so, what types of conflict are prevalent and how would participants respond (support restrictions, sanction others). Data from surveys of 444 participants following evening trips to view manta rays showed that 79% of snorkelers experienced in-group conflict with other snorkelers, and 53% of scuba divers reported conflict with other divers. Most conflicts were interpersonal (physical interactions among individuals interfering with experiences). Conflict behaviors included bumping into people (up to 92%), not being aware (up to 73%), and blinding people with underwater flashlights (up to 56%). There were fewer out-group conflicts between different activities (snorkelers vs. scuba divers) and minimal social values conflicts (negative ...

This article examined coastal resident attitudes and behavioral intentions associated with new marine reserves (MRs) in Oregon, as well as resident perceived similarity and trust in the lead managing agency (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife). Data were obtained from a survey of residents along the Oregon coast (n = 596). Most residents perceived moderate similarity and trust in the agency, had stronger attitudes toward potential advantages of MRs, and would vote in support for the establishment of these reserves. Those living nearest the reserves had the most positive attitudes and were most supportive. Residents who perceived themselves as similar to the agency were more likely to trust this agency, and those with higher trust had stronger attitudes toward advantages of MRs and less agreement with disadvantages of the reserves. Residents with stronger attitudes toward advantages were most likely to vote for MRs, whereas those who agreed with disadvantages were less supportive.

This article examines environmental education by focusing on recreationist expectations for interpretation on marine tours, satisfaction with this interpretation and whether expectations were met, and how these perceptions correlate with components of the norm activation model. Recreationists surveyed before and after tours to Molokini, Hawaii (n = 439) had high pre-trip expectations for interpretation (e.g., about reefs, history), but satisfaction was lower and expectations for many recreationists were not met. Those who had their expectations met had higher problem awareness and ascribed more responsibility (i.e., norm activation) than those who did not, suggesting that interpretation is desired and may promote pro-environmental behavior.

Limited research has examined landowner acceptance of using incentives for managing wildlife (e.g., compensation schemes). We examined acceptance of strategies for managing beaver impacts, use of i...

This article focuses on the collaborative and voluntary Wilderness Best Management Practices (WBMP) for managing recreation in Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness in Alaska. Stakeholder definitions of wilderness, opinions about the WBMP, and whether these opinions are reflective of their perceptions of wilderness are examined. Interviews with tour operators, agency personnel, cruise industry representatives, and local residents showed that most expressed some degree of purism in their definitions of wilderness (e.g. solitude and minimal impact), although cruise representatives had less purist definitions. With the exception of cruise representatives, most felt that the wilderness character of this area is threatened by vessel traffic. Most supported the WBMP as alternatives to regulations because they allowed for freedom and input, but many felt that these practices may be unable to address future impacts. A few small and more purist operators felt that if the wilderness characteristics were threatened, the...

Recreationists who encounter more people than their normative tolerance for seeing others usually feel more crowded than those encountering fewer than their norm. This research note extends this ob...

This article uses data from 1,399 individuals at six sites in Hawaii to examine congruence among their encounters, norms, and satisfaction with six types of facilities (e.g., trash cans, bathrooms, signs) and the actual number of these facili- ties. The majority of users recalled encountering fewer of each facility than the number they believed should be at each site (i.e., their norm) and these users were least satisfied with these facilities. When user norms were compared to the actual number of facilities, however, there were enough of most facilities to meet these norms. Combining the number of facilities with the observation—norm—evalu- ation approach used in many social carrying capacity studies (e.g., encounters, norms, crowding) may be useful for measuring indictors of facility capacity.

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, and 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.

More than 40 years have passed since Shafer (1969) challenged the existence of the “average camper.” 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 “a continuum of behavior from the general to the particular, reflected by equipment and skills used in the sport and activity setting preferences” (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). Since Bryan’s (1977) original work, more than three decades of empirical research examining recreation specialization has improved the understanding of diversity within

This article uses perceptions of commercial tour operators in Juneau, Alaska, to examine the extent to which the commercial outdoor recreation and tourism industry in this area reflects principles of McDonaldization – efficiency, calculability, predictability and control. Data from interviews with 23 operators suggest that this industry in Juneau illustrates these principles. The large-scale nature of this industry in the Juneau area necessitates elements of McDonaldization with examples such as the efficiency of short and packaged activities, the predictability of activities with certainty, the calculability of tour timeframes, and the control that the cruise industry exerts over commercial activities through contracts with tour operators. In contrast, evidence of customization and flexibility occurred alongside examples of McDonaldization, such as independent booking and customizable tours and interpretation. Implications of McDonaldization include increased number and diversity of visitors, as well as ...

This research note compares the commonly used scale of “very unacceptable” to “very acceptable” with an alternative scale of “should definitely not allow” to “should definitely allow” for measuring normative evaluations. Data were obtained from 1,422 users at six sites in Hawaii, and norms were measured in questionnaires with photographs depicting increasing use densities. Responses differed statistically between scales with users feeling that there should be more people allowed than they thought were acceptable at each site. The “acceptance” scale also generated more crystallization or agreement, but lower intensity or importance of use levels than the scale based on “should.” Effect sizes, however, showed that the magnitude of these differences was small or minimal, suggesting that the “acceptance” scale may be appropriate.

This paper examines recreationist and tourist value orientations toward coral reefs (e.g. protection–use, biocentric-anthropocentric), tests a scale for measuring these orientations in recreation and tourism settings, groups individuals based on their orientations and examines demographic and activity differences among groups. Data were obtained from surveys of 2821 users at three coastal and marine sites in Hawai'i. Belief statements about reefs (e.g. “coral reefs have value whether humans are present or not”) were used to measure value orientations. Users agreed with protectionist and disagreed with use-oriented beliefs. Except for one statement (“humans should manage coral reefs so that humans benefit”), the scale provided a reliable and valid measure of value orientations toward reefs. Respondents were grouped into three subgroups (strong protection, moderate protection, mixed protection–use). The largest number of users had strong protectionist orientations toward reefs, and there was no group posses...

Measuring the behavioral, cognitive, and affective dimensions of recreation specialization typically requires multiple variables such as participation, equipment, centrality, and skill. Recent research has tested more efficient approaches such as single-item self-classification measures. This research note extends this approach to fishing and tests the utility of a three-category self-classification measure of specialization (Type I: generalist, casual; Type II: intermediate; Type III: specialist, veteran) by comparing it to a more traditional 16-variable measure of the concept. Data were obtained from onsite surveys of anglers at Lost Lake in Oregon. Consistent with a specialization continuum, respondents who classified themselves as Type I anglers (generalist, casual) reported the lowest mean responses on all variables measuring centrality, skill, equipment, and experience. Type III anglers (specialist, veteran) had the highest scores. Discriminant analysis showed that the specialization variables corre...

Theory suggests that risk perceptions are influenced by trust in managing agencies. Shared goals and values (i.e., perceived similarity) are foundations of trust. This article examines the extent to which hunters perceive personal health risks associated with chronic wasting disease (CWD) (e.g., become ill from CWD) and the influence of perceived similarity and trust in state wildlife agencies as determinants of risk. Data were obtained from surveys (n = 9567) of resident and nonresident deer and elk hunters in eight states. Structural equation models showed that across all strata, hunters' perceptions of similarity with agencies positively influenced trust in agencies to manage CWD, explaining up to 49% of the variance in trust. Hunters who trusted agencies perceived less risk associated with CWD, but trust only explained up to 8% of the variance in risk. Hunters perceived similarity with and trust in wildlife agencies, but still perceived risks associated with CWD.

This article examines the influence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) on displacement and desertion among hunters of varying degrees of specialization. Data were obtained from surveys (n = 9,567) of...

Whale watching is a popular and economically important tourism activity that generates at least $1 billion in annual revenue worldwide (e.g., tours, accommodation, souvenirs) (Hoyt, 2001). Each yea...

Recreation conflict has been examined relative to interpersonal (i.e., goal interference) conflict and differences in social values. Although this distinction is useful, prior methodologies for ope...

This article examines: (a) the extent to which chronic wasting disease (CWD) may influence individuals to hunt in other states or quit hunting permanently; (b) hunters' acceptance of strategies for managing the disease; and (c) whether hunters' responses differ by residency, species hunted, and state where they hunted. Data were obtained from mail surveys (n = 9,567) of resident and nonresident deer hunters in eight states and elk hunters in three states. Hunters were shown hypothetical scenarios depicting CWD prevalence levels and human death from the disease. At current prevalence levels in some states, few hunters would change their behavior. If conditions worsen (e.g., 50% prevalence across state, human death), up to 18% of hunters would hunt deer or elk in other states and 37% would quit hunting these species. Arizona and North Dakota hunters were most likely to alter their behavior. Given that CWD is not in these states, it may pose a new risk. In Wisconsin, where hunting is a tradition, hunters wer...

This research note examines hunters' and non-hunters' information sources and knowledge about chronic wasting disease (CWD). Data were obtained from surveys of Colorado (n = 1,315) and Wisconsin (n...

) in several states and provinces. The disease causes abnormalbehavior, emaciation, and death in all infected animals (Williams, Miller, Kreeger, Kahn,& Thorne, 2002). There is no evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans or causeshuman health problems (Belay et al., 2004). Researchers and agency officials are quick topoint out, however, that they are not absolutely certain that it is safe to eat meat frominfected animals (Salman, 2003).Extensive research has examined the pathology, epidemiology, transmission, andclinical signs of CWD (see Williams et al., 2002 for a review). Research on the humandimensions of CWD, however, is limited and has primarily addressed economic impactsof CWD and hunters’ behavior and acceptance of management actions in response to thedisease (e.g., Bishop, 2004; Needham, Vaske, & Manfredo, 2004; Vaske, Needham,Newman, Manfredo, & Petchenik, 2006). Little empirical attention has focused ondescribing hunters’ and non-hunters’ current beliefs about CWD and the extent to whichthese beliefs are consistent across multiple states, years, and interest groups. This findingsabstract helps to address these knowledge gaps.Data were obtained from mail surveys of: (a) residents and non-residents who hunteddeer with a gun in 2003 in Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota,Utah, Wisconsin, or Wyoming; (b) residents and nonresidents who hunted elk with a gunin 2003 in Colorado, Utah, or Wyoming; (c) residents and nonresidents who hunted deeror elk with a gun in 2004 in Colorado; and (d) hunters and non-hunters residing inWisconsin’s southwest CWD eradication zone (i.e., 1,351 mi

This article examines acceptability norms regarding use density reported by hikers and mountain bikers with varying skill levels. It was hypothesized that highly skilled recreationists would rate increasing use densities as less acceptable. In addition, it was predicted that as skill increases, normative agreement/consensus (crystallization) and importance (norm intensity) would increase. Data were obtained from surveys of hikers (n = 275) and mountain bikers (n = 125) at the Whistler Mountain ski area in British Columbia, Canada. Skill level was measured on a four‐point scale from “novice” to “expert.” Norms were measured by acceptability ratings of photographs containing increasing densities of hikers and mountain bikers. As predicted, when hikers’ skill level increased, acceptability of greater hiker densities decreased and norm crystallization and intensity increased. Conversely, no relationships were found between mountain bikers’ skill and their acceptability, agreement, and importance of m...

The impacts of chronic wasting disease (CWD) on hunters’ behavior and beliefs about acceptable management actions are not clearly understood. This article presents findings from an initial phase of a multi-stage, multi-state effort to address these knowledge gaps. Data were obtained from mail surveys (n = 659) of resident and nonresident deer hunters in eight states and elk hunters in three states. Hunters were presented with hypothetical situations of increasing: (1) CWD prevalence (all eight states), and (2) human health risks (two states). Logistic regression equations estimated that at current prevalence levels in some states, 3% (residents) to 5% (nonresidents) of hunters would stop hunting deer/elk in their state. If 50% of the deer or elk across the state were infected, approximately 42% (residents) and 54% (nonresidents) would stop hunting deer/elk in their state. In hypothetical situations where a hunter died from CWD at this prevalence level, the percentage was 68%. Potential for conflict indice...

In North America, there are several popular locations for viewing bears in their natural habitat (e.g., McNeil and Brooks Rivers, Alaska; Knight Inlet, British Columbia; Churchill, Manitoba). As bear viewing has increased in popularity, efforts to understand the experiences and perceptions of bear viewers have received more attention (e.g., Clayton & Mendelsohn, 1993; Lemelin, McCarville, & Smale, 2002; Matt & Aumiller, 2002; Whittaker, 1997). There is little empirical research, however, on: (1) other stakeholders’ (e.g., environmental interest groups, tour companies, government agencies) opinions of bear viewing, and (2) visitors’ and other stakeholders’ perceptions of bear viewing at alpine ski areas in the summer. This study addresses these knowledge gaps.