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
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
Perceived as a pest in some areas -Aesthetics of natural areas -Human health -Economy Photo Source: http://blog.birdbgone.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/geese-golf_zpsefd7f279.jpg Photo Source: http://ehspest.com/images/canadian-geese-2.jpg
Study Objectives 1. Understand perceptions of Canada goose management 2. Investigate attitudes toward Canada geese by hunting participation
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?
Methods Mail survey (n=8,000) Survey Sampling International provided databases 4,000 Agriculture Producers - Champaign, McLean, Macon, and Sangamon counties - 47.6% response rate (n=1,849) 4,000 Homeowners - Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington- Normal, Decatur, and Springfield - 35.3% response rate (n=1,295)
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
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
Respondents Non-hunters 77.5% 22.5% Hunters
Component 1: Existence Nonhunters Hunters F-value ƞ We should be sure that future generations have an abundance of Canada geese. 4.53 5.19 88.773*** 0.172 Seeing Canada geese makes me feel connected to nature. 4.49 4.95 38.629*** 0.115 It is important for me to know there are healthy populations of Canada geese. 4.75 5.27 55.911*** 0.138 Seeing Canada geese in my day-to-day routine gives me a positive feeling. 4.03 4.45 29.848*** 0.101 Canada geese represent species that coexist with humans. 4.61 5.04 42.481*** 0.120 ***p<0.001
Component 2: Rights Nonhunters Hunters F-value ƞ I care about wildlife as much as I do about people. 3.70 3.81 1.707 0.024 Waterfowl should have the same rights as humans. 2.53 2.08 45.73*** 0.125 Waterfowl should have the same rights as pets, but not humans. 3.43 3.20 9.264** 0.057 **p<0.01, ***p<0.001
Component 3: Doministic Nonhunters Hunters F-value ƞ Canada goose populations should be managed to benefit humans. 4.97 5.14 5.876* 0.045 When needs of Canada geese conflict with those of humans, the geese should be removed. 5.08 5.06 0.178 0.008 Canada geese populations need to be strictly controlled. 4.53 4.54 0.051 0.004 The needs of humans should take priority over Canada goose protection. 5.15 5.01 3.400 0.034 *p<0.05
Summary of Average Scores: Component Non-hunters Hunters F-value ƞ Existence 4.48 4.97 74.054*** 0.160 Rights 3.22 3.01 12.818*** 0.067 Doministic 4.94 4.95 0.082 0.005 ***p<0.001
Strongly Approve Unsure Strongly Disapprove 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Summary of Average Scores: Non-hunters Hunters Existence Rights Doministic
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% It is necessary to maintain stable populations of Canada geese Non-hunters Hunters 0% Disagree Unsure Agree χ² = 38.128, p < 0.001, Cramer s V = 0.116
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
Do you approve of lethal management of Canada geese? 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% No Non-hunters Hunters Yes χ² = 56.529, p<0.001, Cramer s V = 0.144
Of the people who approve of lethal management: Strongly Approve Unsure Strongly Disapprove ***p<0.001 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Hunting ƞ = 0.166*** F-value = 52.000 Non-hunters Processing adults for meat ƞ = 0.029 F-value = 1.507 Hunters Destroying of adults ƞ = 0.117*** F-value = 23.655
Lethal Management Strategy: Destroying nests with eggs 60% Non-hunters Hunters 40% 20% 0% Disapprove Unsure Approve χ² = 54.374, p<0.001, Cramer s V = 0.168
Lethal Management Strategy: Shaking eggs 60% Non-hunters Hunters 40% 20% 0% Disapprove Unsure Approve χ² = 51.762, p<0.001, Cramer s V = 0.166
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
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
Questions? Photo Source: http://www.rspb.org.uk/images/1012926_tcm9-138318.jpg?width=1170&crop=(0,872,3756,2436)