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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://ehspest.com/images/canadian-geese-2.jpgPhoto Source: http://blog.birdbgone.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/geese-golf_zpsefd7f279.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
• 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
Results
Component 1: ExistenceNon-
huntersHunters 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: RightsNon-
huntersHunters 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: DoministicNon-
huntersHunters 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
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
Summary of Average Scores:
Strongly Disapprove
Strongly Approve
Unsure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Existence Rights Doministic
Non-hunters Hunters
Summary of Average Scores:
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Disagree Unsure Agree
Non-hunters Hunters
χ² = 38.128, p < 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.116
It is necessary to maintain stable populations of Canada geese
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
No Yes
Non-hunters Hunters
χ² = 6.782, p<0.01, Cramer’s V = 0.049
Do you approve of population management of Canada geese?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
No Yes
Non-hunters Hunters
χ² = 56.529, p<0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.144
Do you approve of lethal management of Canada geese?
Strongly Disapprove
Strongly Approve
Unsure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Hunting Processing adults formeat
Destroying of adults
Non-hunters Hunters
Of the people who approve of lethal management:
ƞ = 0.117***F-value = 23.655
ƞ = 0.029 F-value = 1.507
ƞ = 0.166***F-value = 52.000 ***p<0.001
0%
20%
40%
60%
Disapprove Unsure Approve
Non-hunters Hunters
χ² = 54.374, p<0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.168
Lethal Management Strategy: Destroying nests with eggs
0%
20%
40%
60%
Disapprove Unsure Approve
Non-hunters Hunters
χ² = 51.762, p<0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.166
Lethal Management Strategy: Shaking eggs
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