December 7-10, 2003 - www.midwest2003.com
Hunter Perceptions and Potential Behavioral Changes Related to Chronic Wasting Disease in Illinois
Managing The Threats Of CWD - The Missouri State Task Force Approach
A Statewide Surveillance Effort for Detecting Chronic Wasting Disease in Wild White-tailed Deer in Missouri
Prion Protein Gene Heterogeneity in Wisconsin Free-ranging White-tail Deer: Implications for Susceptibility
Chronic Wasting Disease Research in the U.S. Geological Survey
Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin White-tailed Deer: Preliminary Findings and Future Research
Interagency Research and the Management on Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin
Choice Modeling of Hunter and Non-hunter Preferences for White-tailed Deer Populations in Michigan
Do Landscape Features Influence Whether Deer are Overabundant in Missouri State Parks?
Hunter Attitudes Toward High Fence Enclosure Shooting Operations
Assessing Purchase Histories and Attitudes of Michigan
Resident Antlerless Deer License Buyers
Chronology of Chronic Wasting Disease Monitoring and Control Efforts in Nebraska Deer November 1997 - February 2003
Richard Bischof, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 North 33rd
St., Lincoln, NE
68503; 402-471-5174; FAX 402-471-5528; rbischof@ngpc.state.ne.us
Justin R. Boner, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 North 33rd
St., Lincoln, NE
68503; 402-471-5413; FAX 402-471-5528; jboner@ngpc.state.ne.us
Bruce L. Morrison, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 North 33rd
St., Lincoln, NE
68503; 402-471-5430; FAX 402-471-5528; morrison@ngpc.state.ne.us
Dave W. Oates, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 North 33rd St.,
Lincoln, NE
68503; 402-471-5441; FAX 402-471-5528; doates@ngpc.state.ne.us
Mace A. Hack, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 North 33rd St.,
Lincoln, NE
68503; 402-471-5434; FAX 402-471-5528; mhack@ngpc.state.ne.us
Monitoring for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Nebraska began in 1997
in areas of the state adjacent to Colorado's and Wyoming's endemic regions.
Between November 1997 and February 2003, 6,477 deer - 53% mule deer, 47%
white-tailed deer - were tested for CWD. Of these samples, 5,788 were collected
from hunters during regular hunting seasons, and 689 samples were collected
by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) staff during culling activities
and targeted collections.CWD was first detected in Nebraska's wild deer
herds in 2000. Of 6,304 wild deer tested between November 1997 and February
2003, 11 mule deer and 16 white-tailed deer - including adults, yearlings,
and fawns - were positive for CWD. The disease currently occurs in 5 Nebraska
Panhandle counties, and appears to be spreading along topographic corridors.
Since the detection of CWD in Nebraska's wild deer, monitoring efforts
have been paired with localized reductions of deer population densities
to slow the potential spread of the disease. Sample collections over the
past six years have been growing in both size and geographic range. CWD
infections confirmed in the southern and central Nebraska Panhandle may
be attributed to natural immigration of the disease with animals coming
from Wyoming or Colorado. Analysis of the spatial distribution of infection
rates suggests that in at least one instance a game ranch functioned as
a point source for CWD infection of deer in the surrounding area.
Hunter Perceptions and Potential Behavioral Changes Related to Chronic Wasting Disease in Illinois
Craig A. Miller, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody Dr.,
Champaign, IL 61820; 217-
333-7485; FAX 217-244-5313; craigm@inhs.uiuc.edu
Christopher Collingan, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody
Dr., Champaign, IL 61820;
217-265-5124
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has become an important issue throughout
the United States and
of particular concern in the Midwest. Aside from the biological issues
surrounding CWD (e.g.
transmission, impact on deer herd), many important social issues exist
as well. Of particular
importance is hunter reaction to the presence of the disease. A mail-back
survey of 3,418 Illinois
deer hunters was conducted during spring 2003 to investigate hunter
perceptions of the disease,
determine hunters' behavioral responses to CWD, and model potential
impact of CWD on deer
hunting through hunter participation. We received 2,683 (79%) completed
questionnaires from the
deer hunters surveyed. (102) A smaller percentage of hunters (3%) ranked
CWD in the "High
Risk" category than West Nile Disease (7%) or Lyme's Disease (5%),
although more hunters
(12%) were undecided about CWD's risk than any other disease or risk
factor presented. K-
means cluster analysis provided 4 clusters of hunters based on risk
perception and illustrated a
group of hunters having great concern about CWD and West Nile Disease.
(168) The 4 clusters
were used as a dependent variable, along with measures of commitment
to deer hunting, and
relationship of county hunted to CWD counties in a series of nested
logit models designed to
measure hunter participation in the upcoming 2003 deer seasons. Odds
of decreased hunting
participation were dependent on measures of commitment more than concern
about CWD. The
full logit model provided a complex interaction between county hunted
and attitudes toward CWD.
Factors affecting hunter participation and predictions about hunters
attrition due to CWD will be
discussed.
Managing The Threats Of CWD - The Missouri State Task Force Approach
David W. Murphy, Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Eric W. Kurzejeski, Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 S. College
Ave., Columbia, MO
65201; 573-882-9909x3259; FAX 573-882-4517; kurzew@mdc.state.mo.us
As is the case in most states, Chronic Wasting Disease has not been
found in Missouri.
However, the threats associated with CWD - both real and perceived
- have the potential to
impact management of free-ranging as well as captive deer and elk.
Similar to most states, in
Missouri there are a variety of public agencies responsible for the
management of CWD risks and
the provision of public information. Some examples are, animal movement
regulations, hunting
regulations, and public health concerns. Equally important and varied,
are the numerous
stakeholder groups who are directly impacted by the decisions regarding
CWD prevention and
management. These include the captive cervid industry, meat processors,
landowners, deer
hunters and hunting preserve operations and others. To effectively
deal with the threats of CWD
at a state-level these governmental agencies and stakeholder groups
need a common forum from
which to develop recommendations for policy and to provide opportunities
for public education. In
Missouri a State CWD Task Force, made up of a wide diversity of stakeholders
and governmental
agencies was formed in 2002. We review the efforts of this Task Force
and provide examples
of the value of this approach in developing responses to the CWD challenge.
A Statewide Surveillance Effort for Detecting Chronic Wasting Disease in Wild White-tailed Deer in Missouri
Jeff Beringer, Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 S. College
Ave., Columbia, MO 65201;
573-882-9909x3211; berinj@mdc.state.mo.us
Lonnie P. Hansen, Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 S. College
Ave., Columbia, MO
65201; 573-882-9909x3220; hansel@mdc.state.mo.us
Joshua J. Millspaugh, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Science,
University of Missouri, 302
Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211
Tamara Meyer, Missouri Department of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, MO 65201
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a recently recognized infectious neurological
disease of North
Detection of CWD is essential to the management of American deer and
Rocky Mountain elk. CWD infection is determined most often by using an
immunohistochemical (IHC) test for proteinase-resistant prion proteins
in samples of brain stem (obex of the medulla oblongata) and retropharyngeal
lymph node (RLN) and/or tonsil tissues. Two methods of surveillance for
CWD include sample collections from presumed "sick" animals and random
samples from hunter-harvested deer. Targeted surveillance of sick animals
can occur year-round, and has successfully detected new foci of infection
in at least 2 states. However, sick deer may not be apparent in many habitats
and thus targeted surveillance may miss infected animals. Registering harvested
deer occurs in many Midwestern states and offers state agencies an opportunity
for random surveillance of CWD. Sample tissues can be collected on site
at deer check stations or deer heads can be collected with subsequent tissue
extraction occurring in a controlled central location. We evaluated time
budgets, fiscal impacts, and personnel needs for on site tissue collections
versus head collections using a central lab for tissue collections. On-site
extraction of tissue was more cost effective and less labor intensive than
extraction of tissues in a central location. We collected 3.9 deer samples
per person-day when the head was collected in the field and tissue extraction
occurred in a central location. Cost per viable sample (not including salaried
employees or IHC testing) was $9.80. On-site tissuecollections yielded
5.3 samples per person-day and cost per viable sample (not including salaried
employees or IHC testing) was $6.90. In addition, more than 300 person
days of staff time were saved.
Prion Protein Gene Heterogeneity in Wisconsin Free-ranging White-tail Deer: Implications for Susceptibility
Judd Aiken, University of Wisconsin, Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, Madison, WI 53706
Jody Johnson, University of Wisconsin, Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, Madison, WI 53706
Murray Clayton, University of Wisconsin, Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, Madison, WI 53706
Debbie McKenzie, University of Wisconsin, Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, Madison, WI 53706
Chad Johnson, University of Wisconsin, Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, Madison, WI 53706
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was first identified in Wisconsin white-tail
deer (Odocoileus virginianis) in February 2002. To determine the genetic
susceptibility of free-ranging deer, in Wisconsin, to CWD, we sequenced
the prion protein (PrP) gene, the only defined susceptibility factor for
prion disease. PrP gene sequence analysis of CWD-positive and CWD-negative
deer from the CWD-effected region in south-central Wisconsin suggests that
at least 96% of the white-tail deer in this region would be genetically
susceptible to CWD. Four unique PrP alleles were identified in the deer
population, one of which, a glutamine to histidine change at codon 95,
had not been previously characterized. The most predominant allele in the
population encodes for glutamine at position 95, glycine at position 96
and serine at position 138 (QGS). Less abundant alleles encoded QSS, QGN
and HGS at the three variable positions. Comparison of CWD-positive with
CWD-negative deer showed a trend towards an over-representation of the
QGS allele and an under-representation of the QSS allele.
Chronic Wasting Disease Research in the U.S. Geological Survey
Scott Wright, U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711-6223; 608-270-2460; FAX 608-270-2415; swright@usgs.gov
Gregory J. Smith, U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Program, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., MS301, Reston, VA 20190; 703-648-4071; FAX 703-648-4238; gregory_smith@usgs.gov
In 2002, the U.S. Congress directed the preparation of a cooperative
plan for assisting States, Federal Agencies, and Tribes in managing Chronic
Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease of deer and elk. As
the research bureau of the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) participated in developing that plan and a subsequent implementation
plan to support State, Tribal, and other Federal Agencies that manage deer
and elk populations. In 2003, the USGS initiated more than $1.0 million
in new research on CWD in addition to the bureau's ongoing studies and
technical assistance to States. New research addresses key management issues
and focuses on: (1) determining the impacts of deer feeding and baiting
practices, (2) evaluating the susceptibility of small mammals to CWD, (3)
developing biomarkers to quickly identify CWD in live animals, (4) determining
transmission pathways, and (5) modeling CWD risk. USGS scientists are also
developing a tissue bank of CWD positive tissues for future use in molecular
and biochemical studies and studies are planned to evaluate genetic resistance
in deer. Quantitative models are being developed to assess risk and to
ultimately assist resource mangers in controlling the disease. Applying
the population ecology, quantitative modeling, and disease ecology research
capabilities routinely used by USGS scientists for migratory birds and
imperiled species to the CWD problem, allows USGS to contribute to the
efforts of numerous wildlife agencies combating this emerging disease.
Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin White-tailed Deer: Preliminary Findings and Future Research
Michael D. Samuel, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Center, 204 Russell Lab, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53711
Christine Ribic, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Center, 204 Russell Lab, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53711
Damien O. Joly, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Center, 204 Russell Lab, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53711
Daniel Grear, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Center, 204 Russell Lab, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53711
Julie Langenberg, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 S.
Webster St., Madison,
WI 53707
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging disease affecting North
American cervids. In spring 2002, CWD was reported in white-tailed deer
in Wisconsin. The discovery of CWD, a disease causing transmissible spongiform
encephalophy, in high-density deer populations in the eastern United States
generated considerable concern about the potential impacts on deer, as
well as potential health risks to humans and domestics. During the past
year > 12,000 deer have been removed from this area to manage the disease.
Removal of these deer also has been used to increase our scientific knowledge
about the susceptibility of age/sex classes of animals, routes of disease
spread among animals, rate of disease transmission, and landscape distribution
of CWD. We report preliminary results from these research studies and describe
additional research to understand disease transmission among free-ranging
deer.
Interagency Research and the Management on Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin
Timothy R. Van Deelen, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Research, 107 Sutliff, Rhinelander, WI 54501
Gerald A. Bartelt, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Research, 130 Femrite Dr., Monona, WI 53716
Nancy E. Mathews, Department of Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
Anne M. Oyer, Department of Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
Jordan Petchenik, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Research, 1350 Femrite Dr., Monona, WI 53716
Lesa H. Skuldt, Department of Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
In February 2002 Wisconsin learned of a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
outbreak in its white-tailed deer herd. CWD is poorly understood and has
never occurred in high-density free-ranging deer populations characteristic
of Eastern and Midwestern North America. Consequently, Wisconsin's management
response to CWD required research input ranging from the design of on-going
monitoring and disease surveillance efforts to targeted research projects
designed to provide answers to basic questions on the biology of CWD in
Wisconsin deer. We describe the research triage employed by an interagency
team of researchers in Wisconsin to parse research needs and allocate scarce
funding into (1) priority projects to be conducted in Wisconsin; (2) worthy
projects that should seek outside funding; and (3) important research elsewhere
that Wisconsin could best facilitate through collaborations and donations
of data and/or tissues. Priority areas identified for research in Wisconsin
were (1) the socio-spatial ecology of the affected deer population; (2)
the epidemiology of the Wisconsin outbreak; and (3) the human dimension
of the disease management program. Roughly 1.5 years later, these research
projects are generating new information for the management of CWD in Wisconsin
deer. At present, 27 CWD research projects are being conducted in Wisconsin
and collaboration are occurring on another 12 CWD projects throughout the
country. Project updates will be given for the ecology and human dimensions
research.
Choice Modeling of Hunter and Non-hunter Preferences for White-tailed Deer Populations in Michigan
Kristy A. Wallmo, Fishery Statistics and Economics Division, NMFS, NOAA,
Silver Spring, MD 20901;
301-713-2328; FAX 301-713-4137; Kristy.Wallmo@noaa.gov
Frank Lupi, Department of Agricultural Economics, and Department of
Fisheries and Wildlife,
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823-1039; 517-432-3883;
FAX 517-432-1800; lupi@msu.edu
R. Ben Peyton, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, MI
48823-1222; 517-353-3236; FAX 517-432-1699; peyton@msu.edu
Peter Bull, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI
48823-1222; 517-432-3636; FAX 517-432-1699; bullpe@msu.edu
White-tailed deer populations in Michigan have increased considerably
since the Deer Range Improvement Act of 1972. This has created both advantages
and disadvantages for Michigan residents (e.g., more deer may be beneficial
for hunting and viewing but may result in more deer damage to agriculture
and ecosystems). This situation forces wildlife managers to contend not
only with biological issues but also issues of stakeholder preferences,
which may vary among groups. Using choice modeling, we estimated stakeholder
preferences over the multi-dimensional attributes of deer management in
Michigan. The choice modeling method offers a quantitative approach for
estimating stakeholder preferences and trade-offs among the attributes
of wildlife management. We conducted a mail survey of hunters (n = 1,980,
response rate = 66%) and the general public (n = 2,970, response rate =62%)
to elicit stakeholder choices over the following attributes of deer populations:
the number of deer, number of mature bucks, herd health, agricultural damage,
residential damage, deer vehicle collisions, and ecosystem impacts. Estimation
results show that both hunters and non-hunters have significant preferences
for attributes of deer populations that extend beyond the number of deer
(e.g., herd health, deer-vehicle collisions). While both groups appear
willing to make trade-offs between the size of the deer herd and these
other attributes, non-hunters are relatively more concerned about non-herd
effects such as deer-vehicle collisions than are hunters. Knowledge of
stakeholders' willingness to make trade-offs over attributes associated
with deer populations can be used by agencies to address the inevitable
trade-offs associated with managing the resource.
Do Landscape Features Influence Whether Deer are Overabundant in Missouri State Parks?
Craig K. Pullins, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, University
of Missouri, 302
Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211; 573-882-0752; FAX
573-884-5070; ckpgfd@missouri.edu
Joshua J. Millspaugh, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences,
University of Missouri, 302
Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211; 573-882-9423; FAX 573-
884-5070; MillspaughJ@missouri.edu
Ronald D. Drobney, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, University
of Missouri, 302
Natural Resources Building, Columbia, MO 65211; 573-882-9420; FAX 573-884-
5070; DrobneyR@missouri.edu
Lonnie P. Hansen, Missouri Department of Conservation, Resource Science
Center, 1110 S.
College Ave., Columbia, MO 65201; 573-882-9909x3220; FAX 573-882-4517;
Hansel@mdc.state.mo.us
Jeff Beringer, Missouri Department of Conservation, Resource Science
Center, 1110 S. College
Ave., Columbia, MO 65201; 573-882-9909x3211; FAX 573-882-4517; berinj@mdc.state.mo.us
White-tailed deer have recently become locally abundant in many environments.
In Missouri, state parks have been challenged to manage overabundant deer
populations. Our objective was to determine if landscape characteristics
(e.g., habitat features, road densities and park data) in and around Missouri
state parks influenced deer density. We developed a priori models related
to landscape factors (e.g., cover, food and human) that might influence
deer density. We categorized deer density in each state park (n = 39) as
low, moderate, or high based on abundance data, browse surveys, and park
managers knowledge of the areas. We estimated landscape characteristics
within state park boundaries and within 0.8 km and 6 km buffers surrounding
the park using a GIS. We used polytomous logistic regression and AIC to
evaluate our a priori models. At the state park scale we found that deer
densities were highest in parks with high proportions of fragmented forest
and open habitats. At the 0.8 km scale, there was a positive relationship
to open habitats, such as agriculture and grasslands, and a negative relationship
to landscape fragmentation and patch shape complexity. At the 6 km scale,
a reduction in both primary and secondary road densities was related to
high deer density. Our results suggest that at local and large scales,
parks offering a combination of open and forested habitats were most associated
with high deer density. Roads were also influential; higher road densities
outside the parks were associated with low deer densities. These data suggest
a combination of habitat and human disturbance features are related to
deer abundance.
Hunter Attitudes Toward High Fence Enclosure Shooting Operations
Craig A. Miller, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody Dr.,
Champaign, IL 61820; 217-333-
7485; FAX 217-244-5313; craigm@inhs.uiuc.edu
Christopher Colligan, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody
Dr., Champaign, IL 61820;
217-265-5124
High fence enclosure shooting operations have become a concern of wildlife
managers in some states. In order to properly understand the issues surrounding
high fence enclosure shooting opportunities, it is necessary to determine
hunter perspectives on these operations. A recent mail survey of 3,418
Illinois deer hunters was conducted during spring 2003 to investigate hunter
attitudes toward high fence enclosures and the shooting opportunities these
operations provide. We received 2,683 (79%) completed questionnaires from
the deer hunters surveyed. Hunters were asked to respond to 11 7-point
Likert-type scale items (1 = "Strongly Disagree, 7 = "Strongly Agree) measuring
attitudes toward high fence shooting of ungulates and exotic game. Most
deer hunters (78%) felt shooting deer or elk inside a high fence enclosure
was an unacceptable practice. A majority of hunters (54%) believed the
practice should be made illegal, a minority of hunters (21%) agreed that
high fence enclosures would help preserve the legacy of hunting in North
America, and most (77%) agreed that shooting game animals inside high fence
enclosures gives hunting a bad name. A majority of deer hunters (65%) disagreed
that shooting game behind high fence enclosures was acceptable as a way
to obtain hides or meat. Principal Components Factor Analysis produced
2 factors of the 11 variables: one that measured high fence enclosure shooting
operations in respect to trophy hunting (Cronbach's alpha = 0.72), and
a second that accounted for ethical questions surrounding the practice
(Cronbach's alpha = 0.83). High fence enclosure shooting operations are
a divisive issue for wildlife managers and hunters, alike. Some individuals
defend the practice as a means of providing meat without having to impact
wildlife populations or as an affordable way to harvest exotic trophies.
Other hunters and managers view the practice as unethical and damaging
to the image of hunting. Results of this study illustrate the attitudes
Illinois deer hunters hold toward the practice.
Intersexual Variation in Body Mass and Intake Relative to Allometry and Sexual Segregation of White-tailed Deer
Kevin L. Monteith, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State
University, Brookings, SD
57006; 605-688-6248; FAX 605-688-4515; kevinleemonteith@hotmail.com
Jon A. Jenks, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University,
Brookings, SD
57006; 605-688-6121; FAX 605-688-4515; jonathan_jenks@sdstate.edu
Lowell E. Schmitz, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks,
Rapid City, SD
57702; 605-394-1752; FAX 605-394-1793; lowell.schmitz@state.sd.us
Perry S. Barboza, Institute of Arctic Biology, and Department of Biology
and Wildlife, University of
Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775; 907-474-7142, FAX 907-474-6967; ffpsb@uaf.edu
R. Terry Bowyer, Institute of Arctic Biology, and Department of Biology
and Wildlife, University of
Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99775; 907-474-5311; FAX 907-474-6967; ffrtb@uaf.edu
Segregation patterns of dimorphic deer form the basis for habitat selection
during spring and summer. However, few manipulative experiments have been
conducted to provide an explanation for segregation in deer. Objectives
of this project were to (1) determine dry matter intake for male, nonreproducing
female, and reproducing female white-tailed deer during spring and summer
and (2) use intersexual differences in digestive efficiency to predict
peak sexual segregation for wild deer in the Northern Great Plains. Reproductive
females were similar in body mass to nonreproductive females before parturition,
but experienced a decrease (P = 0.05) in body mass directly following parturition.
Reproductive females then stabilized and maintained a lower body mass for
the remainder of the study period. Males and nonreproductive females initially
experienced a small drop in body mass, but increased through the remainder
of the study period. Dry matter intake (kg) corrected for body mass (kg)
increased (P = 0.05) in reproductive females following parturition, and
remained high until post weaning. Males and nonreproductive females exhibited
slight increases in dry matter intake with some variability throughout
the sampling period. However, males consumed a more digestible diet (P
= 0.05) than did reproductive and nonreproductive females. Males differed
most from reproductive females in diet quality mid-June through July when
reproducing females experienced peak lactation and intake rates. Based
on these data, we hypothesized that sexual segregation in dimorphic deer
likely peaks immediately following parturition when reproductive females
must meet nutritional demands for intestinal investment and lactation.
Assessing Purchase Histories and Attitudes of Michigan Resident Antlerless Deer License Buyers
Brent A. Rudolph, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 30444, Lansing, MI 48909-7944; 517-373-9565; FAX 517-373-6705; rudolphb@michigan.gov
Maintaining desired white-tailed deer densities requires appropriate
annual antlerless deer harvests. Hunting regulations are often iteratively
modified on an annual basis, with intent to directly influence hunter participation
and harvest (i.e., raising quotas to increase license sales, and therefore
harvest). However, indirect impacts may also result by modifying supply-demand
relationships, and multiple dynamics likely exist between these indirect
impacts and hunter attitudes and experiences. A better understanding of
these dynamics is critical for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
to evaluate quota setting processes, predict success rates, and develop
outreach materials to encourage hunter participation at required levels.
This study represents a pilot effort to assess these dynamics. Resident
hunters in two regions of Michigan have been categorized based on antlerless
license purchase histories from 1998-2002 as infrequent buyers (those that
purchased one or more antlerless licenses in two or fewer years) or frequent
buyers (those that purchased one or more antlerless licenses in three or
more years). A sample of individuals in each category in each region will
be selected to receive a mail survey intended to (1) determine if individuals
in these categories possess contrasting attitudes towards purchasing and
using antlerless licenses, (2) determine whether individuals in either
or both categories rely on any source of information to support their decisions
to purchase and/or use antlerless licenses, and (3) evaluate differential
hunting effort and success between individuals in these categories. Insight
gained may enable targeting individuals for outreach and education based
on license purchase histories.
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