Attitudes, Behavior, and the “Educate-the-Public” Myth

White Pine

Birch

Educate the Public?

Is Education

Enough?

Fishbein & Ajzen’s Theory of Reasoned Action

Attitudes and Animal Rights at Cape Cod National Seashore

What’s All the Fuss?

• 1961 Enabling Legislation Permitted Hunting

• Not Many Hunters (~2000)

• Perhaps 100-200

• Low Profile

• Poor Habitat

Poor Habitat

Poor Habitat

Poor Habitat

Poor Habitat

The Legal Challenge

http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife/factshts/pheasant.htm

2002 - Fund for Animals

The Legal Challenge

2003 - Fund for Animals, Humane Society of US, Area Residents

Stopped the Pheasant HuntConditions Have Changed

Ordered an EIS - All Hunting Programs

Hunting Attitudes

• Hunter Survey– Field

– License

– Volunteer

• Resident Survey– 6 Cape Towns

– Seashore Property

Mailed Questionnaire

August – Sept., 2005

5-Contact Protocol

Hunter – 60.4% (n=413)Resident – 57.9% (n=754)

Hunters

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

-32 -27 -20 -14 -8 -2 4 10 16 22 28

Mean = 21.02

# of

Peo

ple

Attitudes About Hunting in General

Residents

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

-32 -27 -20 -14 -8 -2 4 10 16 22 28

Mean = -1.09

# of

Peo

ple

Attitudes About Hunting in General

Hunting at Cape Cod

5 Positive Statements – 4 Negative Statements

Examples: Positive Statements

Hunting on Cape Cod is an important tradition that should be continued within the Seashore.

Hunting at the Seashore is a unique and valuable experience for hunters.

Additive Index from -18 to +18

Hunting at Cape Cod

5 Positive Statements – 4 Negative Statements

Examples: Negative Statements

There are too many year-round residents on Cape Cod for hunting within the Seashore to be safe.

Hunting conflicts with the conservation of natural resources.

Additive Index from -18 to +18

Hunters

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

-18 -12 -6 0 6 12 18

Mean = 14.25

# of

Peo

ple

Attitudes About Hunting at Cape Cod

Residents

0

10

20

30

40

50

-18 -12 -6 0 6 12 18

Mean = -2.10

# of

Peo

ple

Attitudes About Hunting at Cape Cod

Visitors/Tourists

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

-18 -12 -6 0 6 12 18

Mean = -3.97

# of

Peo

ple

Attitudes About Hunting at Cape Cod

Support for Hunting Regulations at Cape Cod

4 Hunting Favorable Statements – 4 Hunting Negative Statements

Examples: Hunting Favorable Statements

I am not concerned about people hunting 500 feet from buildings.

More areas within Cape Cod National Seashore should be open to hunting.

Additive Index from -16 to +16

Support for Hunting Regulations at Cape Cod

4 Hunting Favorable Statements – 4 Hunting Negative Statements

Examples: Hunting Negative Statements

I believe shooting stocked pheasants is too easy, and should be discontinued.

It is not fair that hunters are allowed to have unleashed dogs at the Seashore, when all others must leash their dogs.

Additive Index from -16 to +16

Hunters

0

10

20

30

40

50

-16 -10 -4 2 8 14

Mean = 9.50

# of

Peo

ple

Attitudes About Hunting Regulations at Cape Cod

Residents

0

10

20

30

40

50

-16 -10 -4 2 8 14

Mean = -4.83

# of

Peo

ple

Attitudes About Hunting Regulations at Cape Cod

Visitors/Tourists

010203040506070

-16 -10 -4 2 8 14

Mean = -5.79

# of

Peo

ple

Attitudes About Hunting Regulations at Cape Cod

Attitude Differences

Who is more likely to oppose hunting in general and hunting at Cape Cod?

• Women• Older people• People with more education• People with higher incomes• Those with less knowledge about wildlife• Frequent birdwatchers

Polling Culture?

• Justify Decisions– Opposition/Support– Avoid Lawsuits– Social Acceptability

•Participatory Democracy– Identify Stakeholders

– Facilitate Discourse

– Consensus Building