Hunters vs. Non-hunters Attitudes Toward Canada Goose Management in Illinois

Transcription

1 Hunters vs. Non-hunters Attitudes Toward Canada Goose Management in Illinois Laura A. Schweizer Andrew L. Stephenson Craig A. Miller Human Dimensions Research Program Illinois Natural History Survey University of Illinois

2 Background Giant Canada Goose (Branta canadensis maxima) populations in IL are higher than previous years -During 1990, state biologists reported 30,000 breeding Canada geese, with a fall population of 75,000 -In 2007, the spring population estimate of giant Canada geese in Illinois was approximately 105,000

3 Perceived as a pest in some areas -Aesthetics of natural areas -Human health -Economy Photo Source: Photo Source:

4 Study Objectives 1. Understand perceptions of Canada goose management 2. Investigate attitudes toward Canada geese by hunting participation

5 Questions Is there a difference between hunters and non-hunters in existence, rights, and doministic values orientations? Do hunters and non-hunters differ for management preferences?

6 Methods Mail survey (n=8,000) Survey Sampling International provided databases 4,000 Agriculture Producers - Champaign, McLean, Macon, and Sangamon counties % response rate (n=1,849) 4,000 Homeowners - Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington- Normal, Decatur, and Springfield % response rate (n=1,295)

7 Analysis Identify attitudes toward geese: -Principal Component Analysis (PCA) - Extracted 3 components - Created a mean score for each component Compare hunters and non-hunters: -Chi-square and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) -Cramer s V and eta (η) indicate effect size

8 Results Existence Values (α = 0.860; 26.46% of variance) - 5 variables Rights Values (α = 0.633; 15.18% of variance) - 3 variables Doministic Values (α = 0.806; 22.06% of variance) - 4 variables

9 Respondents Non-hunters 77.5% 22.5% Hunters

10 Component 1: Existence Nonhunters Hunters F-value ƞ We should be sure that future generations have an abundance of Canada geese *** Seeing Canada geese makes me feel connected to nature *** It is important for me to know there are healthy populations of Canada geese *** Seeing Canada geese in my day-to-day routine gives me a positive feeling *** Canada geese represent species that coexist with humans *** ***p<0.001

11 Component 2: Rights Nonhunters Hunters F-value ƞ I care about wildlife as much as I do about people Waterfowl should have the same rights as humans *** Waterfowl should have the same rights as pets, but not humans ** **p<0.01, ***p<0.001

12 Component 3: Doministic Nonhunters Hunters F-value ƞ Canada goose populations should be managed to benefit humans * When needs of Canada geese conflict with those of humans, the geese should be removed Canada geese populations need to be strictly controlled The needs of humans should take priority over Canada goose protection *p<0.05

13 Summary of Average Scores: Component Non-hunters Hunters F-value ƞ Existence *** Rights *** Doministic ***p<0.001

14 Strongly Approve Unsure Strongly Disapprove Summary of Average Scores: Non-hunters Hunters Existence Rights Doministic

15 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% It is necessary to maintain stable populations of Canada geese Non-hunters Hunters 0% Disagree Unsure Agree χ² = , p < 0.001, Cramer s V = 0.116

16 Do you approve of population management of Canada geese? 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% No Non-hunters Hunters Yes χ² = 6.782, p<0.01, Cramer s V = 0.049

17 Do you approve of lethal management of Canada geese? 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% No Non-hunters Hunters Yes χ² = , p<0.001, Cramer s V = 0.144

18 Of the people who approve of lethal management: Strongly Approve Unsure Strongly Disapprove ***p< Hunting ƞ = 0.166*** F-value = Non-hunters Processing adults for meat ƞ = F-value = Hunters Destroying of adults ƞ = 0.117*** F-value =

19 Lethal Management Strategy: Destroying nests with eggs 60% Non-hunters Hunters 40% 20% 0% Disapprove Unsure Approve χ² = , p<0.001, Cramer s V = 0.168

20 Lethal Management Strategy: Shaking eggs 60% Non-hunters Hunters 40% 20% 0% Disapprove Unsure Approve χ² = , p<0.001, Cramer s V = 0.166

21 Discussion Hunters scored higher on existence values, lower on rights, and about the same for doministic Phrasing of management can be important - destroying adults Hunters are more likely to approve of lethal management, but against certain types - destroying nests, shaking eggs

22 Acknowledgments Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois Natural History Survey Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Grant W-112-R-22 Staff of the Human Dimensions Research Program All survey respondents

23 Questions? Photo Source: