Progress 12/01/04 to 11/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project started in 1982 with the first statewide examination of the attitudes, activities, and expectations of Texas hunters. This seminal study was followed by examinations of specific hunter groups including turkey, quail, white-tailed deer, waterfowl, youth, and female hunters. Two separate studies of the general public examined their participation rates in selected wildlife-related recreational activities, i.e., consumptive and nonconsumptive. Specific studies of birders and women involved in the Becoming and Outdoors Woman followed the more general public study. Later, landowners were specific targets for research regarding their involvement in lease-hunting and feral hog management. Two studies that dealt with specific animal groups investigated efforts to mitigate fox squirrel damage to pecan orchards in Ardmore, Ok and feral cat management on the TAMU campus. Over the last ten years of this project, research efforts have concentrated on what the general public knows about urban wildlife, who to go to for information about urban wildlife, and management of specific urban wildlife species. In the latter case, one of the last studies focused on Lakeway and Hollywood Park residents' attitudes, knowledge, and activities related to white-tailed deer management in their communities. In addition to dozens of peer reviewed professional journal articles; the results of project research have appeared in AgriLife extension fact sheets and publications, popular media (print and electronic), and new courses for graduates and undergraduates, e.g., Human Dimensions in Natural Resource Management and Urban Wildlife Management. In the latter case, the project director and former Ph.D. students wrote a textbook on urban wildlife management that is used by 17 other colleges and universities, state and Federal natural resource agencies, and municipalities involved in urban wildlife management. This is the only textbook on the topic. The textbook became the center piece for the development, administration, and delivery of an online course in urban wildlife management for undergraduates, graduates (through a distance education course), and working professional (through a continuing education program). PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
In the early days of this project, there were only a hand full of scientists engaged in the human dimensions of wildlife management research. It was an area of research that was hardly mentioned among wildlife management professional groups. Today, there is an international organization of HD researchers who hold an annual conference and submit their publications in a journal titled: Human Dimensions in Wildlife Management. It should be noted that AgriLife Research faculty were the early leaders in HD research and became nationally and internationally known for their contributions. HD research was the segue into research on urban wildlife management given the need to understand people's views about wildlife in their back yards. Once again, AgriLIfe Research faculty were at the front of this emerging research field as they conducted studies on feral cats, feral hogs, white-tailed deer, and fox squirrels in urban environments. There was a particular sensitivity and need to disseminate the status of information to the whole community through a variety of information delivery options. These included again extension publications, and presentations at home owners' association meetings and public television. Project research provided a broader view of the best wildlife management practices with a more holistic approach to the process. For example, the educational needs and the involvement of the public has become a primary consideration in all wildlife-related research, particularly in urban areas. As such, the wildlife management discipline has been changed forever in terms of how we conduct our business, train future professionals, and disseminate the results of our research.
Publications
- Cathey, J.C., S.L. Locke, C.E. Adams, R. Ramirez, J. Alderson, and K. Schwausch. 2010. Managing Overabundant White-tailed Deer. AgriLIFE Extension Publication. Texas A&M University. College Station, TX 13pp.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Urbanization throughout much of Texas has resulted in diminished wildlife habitat, resulting from fragmented landscapes. Several previous studies addressed the public's attitudes concerning the most acceptable white-tailed deer management techniques in urban areas. As a departure from these studies on urban residents' acceptance of alternative urban deer management strategies, this study assessed the types of information required by urban residents to more fully understand the best management practices for urban deer herds. Two Texas communities, Lakeway and Hollywood Park, were chosen for this study. Since the 1990s, urban deer herds have negatively impacted these communities through increased deer-vehicle collisions, defined browse lines throughout the community, and human-deer encounters. The current number of households in each community was determined and used to calculate the household sample size in Lakeway (N= 4,090, n = 704) and Hollywood Park (N= 1,547, n = 616). An Internet survey was developed which asked an adult resident of each selected household about his or her knowledge of factors that lead to population growth in urban white-tailed deer populations, personal encounters with an urban deer herd in the community, the types of management options he or she would choose in dealing with the urban deer herd, and why and what types of information the respondent would most like to have regarding urban deer management. Finally, demographic information was asked such as age, gender, level of education and years of residency in the neighborhood. PARTICIPANTS: Participants are usually survey respondents relevant to populations studied on various projects, e.g., hunters, urban residents. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences are specific user groups, consumptive or nonconsumptive, of the wildlife resources of the state. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The information derived from this study reveals the public's knowledge, attitudes, actions, and expectations concerning over-abundant white-tailed deer populations in Lakeway and Hollywood Park, Texas. This information can be used to assist communities such as Lakeway and Hollywood Park, as well as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, to develop appropriate educational materials that will provide relevant, current, and accurate information about urban deer population ecology and management for the urban resident. The methods of this study will serve as a useful tool for others to develop pro-active management strategies for controlling over-abundant urban white-tailed deer populations and aid in reducing the conflict between urban deer managers and the public.
Publications
- Adams, C.E., and Kieran J. Lindsey. 2009. Urban Wildlife Management. 2nd ed. Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL. 400pp.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In order to determine the extent of human/white-tailed deer and Canada geese conflicts nationally, an online survey of wildlife biologists was conducted in the Fall 2008. Respondents came from the TWS listserv; and big game, waterfowl, and urban wildlife biologists from each state DNR. The national assessment was designed around four objectives. Most (80%) of the 204 respondents reported that some or many communities in their state were experiencing human/white-tailed deer conflicts, and 84% of 150 respondents reported human/Canada geese conflicts. It would not be overstating the case to say that every state within the national distribution of white-tailed deer and Canada geese have human/wildlife conflicts with these game animals in urban areas. Twenty-one states identified 190 communities that had human/ white-tailed deer conflicts and 20 states identified 307 communities with human/Canada geese conflicts. Washington, DC was included in both lists. This national assessment only scratched the surface of the magnitude, i.e., the universality, of human/white-tailed deer and Canada geese conflicts in urban areas. Compared to ten years ago, there was majority agreement among respondents that citizen and community reports concerning white-tailed deer (71%) and Canada geese (63%) conflicts had increased. However, respondents also reported that 25% of the listed communities had no management plans for either urban white-tailed deer or resident Canada geese, or they did not know if management plans existed (24 and 41%, respectively). The majority (85%) of respondents identified the state game agency as the management authority at the state level for both white-tailed deer and Canada geese. The community-level authority was the city council for white-tailed deer, but USDA Aphis Wildlife Service's was the second choice over city council for resident Canada geese. Homeowners' associations, city mayor, and community residents were considered players in the management process by only a few (20%) of the respondents. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The top three issues of importance in urban white-tailed deer management were public safety, property damage, and public education. Media involvement was of least importance. The top three issues of importance in resident Canada goose management were state and federal laws, property damage, and public education. Again, media involvement was the least important issue to be considered in the management process.
Publications
- Adams, C.E., and J.K. Thomas. 2008. Texas Rattlesnake Roundups. TAMU Press. 111pp.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
In 2007, we conducted a national study to determine the degree to which Youth Hunting Programs (YHP) (1) influenced participants' attitudes, activities, future expectations, and knowledge concerning hunting,; (2) provided tangible or intangible hallmarks of a successful experiences for the child; and (3) promoted the hunting heritage in the United States. Respondents consisted of hunter education personnel from all 50 state departments of natural resources (DNRs) in the United States. Response rate was 100%. Descriptive statistical analysis of survey data revealed that: Most YHP participants were Caucasian males with a family history of hunting participation who have hunted prior to involvement with the program. Most state DNRs did not keep records of who or how many participate in the YHPs. Even though state DNRs promote YHPs as a means of ensuring the future of hunting in their states, the claim cannot be substantiated. YHP participants hunted for a much wider
variety of big game, upland game, and waterfowl, but not small game. There was a significant investment of time, money, and personnel invested by state DNRs in YHPs.
Impacts
One critical recommendation to YHP organizers was to change their mission statement to more accurately reflect what the program is accomplishing.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
In 2006, we conducted a study to determine the degree to which the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) (1) influenced participants attitudes, activities, future expectations, and knowledge concerning hunting,; (2) provided tangible or intangible hallmarks of a successful experiences for the child; and (3) promoted the hunting heritage in Texas. Respondents names and addresses were obtained from the lists of past participants provided by the TYHP administrators. Past participants (n 2,454) were sent a postcard inviting them to complete an online questionnaire hosted by Web Surveyor. A follow-up reminder was sent two weeks later. Response rate was 20 percent. A non response follow up was conducted on 30 individuals. Descriptive statistical analysis of survey data revealed that: Most TYHP survey respondents were Caucasian males from middle to upper-middle income households with a family history of hunting participation who have hunted prior to involvement with the program
and live in central and southeastern Texas. 85 percent of survey respondents learned about TYHP through a family member, friend, hunter education class, or someone associated with the TYHP. 92.5 percent of survey respondents ranked their TYHP experience as a 5 or 6 on a scale of 0 6; 94.3percent said they would like to go on another program hunt. 93.6 percent of survey respondents consider themselves to be hunters, and 91.8 percent currently have a Texas hunting license. Nearly 75 percent of survey respondents have gone hunting since their TYHP experience, and 70 percent have gone hunting three or more times since their program hunt(s). Survey participants report hunting for a much wider variety of game, including small game, during private hunts than during TYHP events. Factors such as expense, busy lives, and uncertainty about where to hunt were listed by those survey respondents who have not gone hunting since their TYHP experience.
Impacts
One critical recommendation to TYHP organizers was to change their mission statement to more accurately reflect what the program is accomplishing.
Publications
- Lindsey, K.J., and C.E. Adams. 2006. Public demand for information and assistance at the human-wildlife interface. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 11:267-283.
- Lindsey, K.J., and C.E. Adams. 2006. Natural resource agency response to public queries on wildlife rehabilitation topics. J. Wildlife Rehab. 28:14-20.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
In 2003, we conducted a study to determine the consequences of feral hog invasions in several ecoregions of Texas. We examined the observations, experiences, and actions of landowners and managers concerning feral hogs on their property. We used purposive sampling of landowners and mangers who fit 1 or more of 3 selection criteria. There were 775 survey participants. Sampling error based on the farms (includes ranches) in Texas and in each region was +3%, y = 0.05. The majority (74%) of respondents were ranchers and 18% were farmers. Most of the respondents felt that feral hogs came from the neighbors property and were an agricultural pest. Rooting, wallowing, and crop damage were the major forms of damage caused by feral hogs. The average economic loss due to hog damage was $7,515. Hog control was an incidental process. The average cost for hog control was $2,631. There was strong support for programs related to feral hog management and control, but only half of the
survey participants responded to the question. The average quiz score of 11.5 indicated that respondents could correctly respond to 50% of the 26 questions. Region was found to have an effect (P < 0.05) on all questions that were tested except 1. Management implications included needed educational programs about feral hogs, how landowners can make better use of feral hogs on their property, ongoing education efforts about feral hogs, and the impact of this study on the public policy and decision making process.
Impacts
The Trans Pecos region represented only 15% of the regional totals, but had the highest number of responses at the county level. Overall, the potential for a coordinated feral hog management system throughout Texas will require an intensive amount of cooperation between the landowners and private and state and Federal wildlife management control agencies.
Publications
- Adams, C.E., B.J. Higginbotham, D. Rollins, R.B. Taylor, R. Skiles, M. Mapston, and S. Turman. 2005. Regional perspectives and opportunities for feral hog management in Texas. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 33 (in press).
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Wildlife in the City. Examining the Need for Wildlife Information Transfer - Eighty percent of Americans now live in cities and towns with populations of 50,000 or more. Urban stakeholders are interested in a variety of non-traditional wildlife issues including human wildlife conflicts, creating backyard habitat, and what to do when they find an injured or orphaned wild animal. Most are not prepared for the realities of living with wildlife. Urban Americans, conditioned to expect support services from government sources, often are unsure who to contact with questions about wildlife. Between January and June we conducted a review of the published literature on wildlife information transfer using electronic databases, internet searches, and reference tracing. It is clear from our review that wildlife professionals need to recognize an emerging and growing need for effective information transfer programs that offer the urban public intellectual tools to effectively
address their human wildlife encounters
Impacts
The Trans Pecos region represented only 15% of the regional totals, but had the highest number of responses at the county level. Overall, the potential for a coordinated feral hog management system throughout Texas will require an intensive amount of cooperation between the landowners and private and state and Federal wildlife management control agencies.
Publications
- Adams, C.E., R.D. Brown, and B.J. Higginbotham. 2004. Developing a plan for future hunting participation. Wildlife Society Bulletin (in press)
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
We conducted a study that examined the attitudes and actions of landowners concerning feral hog management. Study objectives were to determine the level of landowner: 1. knowledge about feral hog natural history and management. 2. interest in selected feral hog management options. The study was conducted in the Trans Pecos, Edwards Plateau, Rolling Plains, and South Texas Brush Country ecological regions of Texas. Our total effective response rate was 63.5% (289 out of 455 possible respondents). Most respondents were ranchers and lived on their land. Seventy-six Texas counties were represented. The record of first sightings of feral hogs by ecological region demonstrated that the Trans Pecos was the most recent invasion area by feral hogs. Most respondents felt that hogs immigrated from other areas on to their land; that hog numbers were increasing; and hogs represented a financial liability causing all sorts of damage to the land, fences, and crops. The average
financial loss due to hog damage was $14,507 (n = 111 respondents). The average feral hog management cost was $5,707 (n = 56 respondents). Most respondents said that their level of feral hog control was incidental compared to doing nothing and intensive control. Shooting and trapping were the primary control methods conducted by hunters or the landowner. Less than 30% of the respondents were interested in methods of combining forces to conduct feral hog management.
Impacts
The Trans Pecos region represented only 15% of the regional totals, but had the highest number of responses at the county level. Overall, the potential for a coordinated feral hog management system throughout Texas will require an intensive amount of cooperation between the landowners and private and state and Federal wildlife management control agencies.
Publications
- Adams, C.E. 2003. The infrastructure for urban wildlife management is missing. Trans. North. American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. 68 (in press).
- Steen, S. J. and C.E. Adams. 2003. Public Preferences For Free-ranging Domestic Cat, Felis catus, Management Options. Wildlife Society Bulletin 31:334-339.
- Adams, C.E., R.D. Brown, and B.J. Higginbotham. 2003. Developing a plan for future hunting participation. Wildlife Society Bulletin (submitted)
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The Infrastructure for Conducting Urban Wildlife Management: We conducted a national survey to determine how well land grant universities and state wildlife agencies were prepared to address urban wildlife management issues. Survey questions determined: 1. relevant urban wildlife management issues, 2. number of urban wildlife biologists, 3. qualifications and tasks that differentiate urban from other wildlife biologists, 4. number of wildlife biologists, 5. degree of university or state agency responsibility for urban wildlife management, and 6. number of universities and colleges that offer at least a B.S. degree in wildlife sciences and/or courses in urban wildlife management. Response rates were 80% and 94% from universities (n=37) and state wildlife agencies (n=46), respectively. Survey results can be considered as an accurate portrayal of national trends. Eighty five per cent admitted that urban wildlife management is a growing concern in natural resource
management. Ninety per cent agreed that urban human populations needed educational programs about the wildlife around them. Only two thirds (62-67%) felt that there was a growing human curiosity about the wildlife in their urban habitats. Yet nearly two-thirds to over three-quarters (60-83%) of the respondents agreed that there is a growing concern about dangerous human/wildlife encounters in urban environments; urban humans need to be shown how to reconnect with the natural world around them; urban habitats provide plenty of food, water, and shelter for many wildlife species; and the number of many species of urban wildlife are increasing to nuisance levels. Few (10-11%) of the respondents agreed that urban wildlife management will probably become the dominant future focus in their states. Respondents reported the employment of 7 and 46 urban wildlife biologists compared to 545 and 5,409 traditional wildlife biologists in their university and agency, respectively. Nearly half (44%)
of the respondents said there were few to no qualifications that differentiate urban from other wildlife biologists. Only 36% of the university and 29% of the agency respondents said there were few to no tasks that differentiate urban from other wildlife biologists.
Impacts
Study to determine effects of feral cat populations on selected endemic fauna.
Publications
- Steen, S.J. and C.E. Adams. 2003. Public preferences foir free-ranging domestic cat. Wildlife Society Bulletin inn press.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
An Update on the Impacts of feral cat colonies on bird, rodent, and herptile communities: Control of feral cat populations is a controversial issue among animal professionals in the United States and abroad. At the center of controversy is the debate concerning the impact of feral cats on native species populations. In an effort to address this question, we are conducting a study to assess the impact of feral cat colonies on bird, rodent, and herptile communities. Our objectives for this study are: 1. Measure and compare the rodent abundance between sites with feral cat colonies and sites without feral cat colonies, 2. Measure and compare the bird abundance and diversity between sites with feral cat colonies and sites without feral cat colonies, 3. Measure and compare the herptile abundance and diversity between sites with feral cat colonies and sites without feral cat colonies. We constructed Shannon-Weiner diversity indices for experimental and control sites 1-3
after trap cycles 1 and 2 and for experimental and control sites 2 and 3 after trap cycles 3 and 4. We used t-tests to determine significant differences in both small mammal and herpitle diversity between experimental sites and control sites. Additionally, we used t-tests to determine if the diversities of small mammals and herptiles changed significantly after the reduction of cat densities on experimental sites 2 and 3. Before cat removal we found significant differences in small mammal diversities between experimental site 1 and control site 1, between experimental site 2 and control site 2, and between experimental site 3 and control site 3. No significant differences were found in herptile diversities. After cat removal we found no significant differences in small mammal or herptile diversities between experimental site 2 and control site 2 or between experimental site 3 and control site 3. Experimental site 2 showed a significant increase in small mammal diversity after cat
densities were reduced. Additionally, our results suggest that variables other than cat density were affecting the diversity of herptiles at all 3 experimental sites. However, we were limited to what specific methods of herptile sampling we could employ because of landowner concerns. As a result, our samples of herptiles may not be truly representative of the communities at either experimental or control sites.
Impacts
Study to determine effects of feral cat populations on selected endemic fauna.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Impact of feral cat colonies on bird, rodent, and herptile communities: Control of feral cat populations is a controversial issue among animal professionals in the United States and abroad. At the center of controversy is the debate concerning the impact of feral cats on native species populations. In an effort to address this question, we are conducting a study to assess the impact of feral cat colonies on bird, rodent, and herptile communities. Our objectives for this study are: Measure and compare the rodent abundance between sites with feral cat colonies and sites without feral cat colonies. Measure and compare the bird abundance and diversity between sites with feral cat colonies and sites without feral cat colonies. Measure and compare the herptile abundance and diversity between sites with feral cat colonies and sites without feral cat colonies. We located 3 cat colony caretakers who permitted us to use their property as our study sites. In addition, we located
3 control areas in which there were no cat colonies. At each of the six study sites we measured bird, rodent, and herptile abundance and diversity. Our preliminary results indicate differences in rodent and herptile abundance and diversity between areas with cat colonies and areas without cat colonies.
Impacts
This study will be one of the first to determine actual predatory effects of feral cat populations on selected endemic fauna. Few prior studies have been able to monitor return of endemic fauna after removal of cat colonies.
Publications
- Adams, C.E., Wilkins, N., and Cooke, J. 2000. A place to hunt: change in the organization of recreational hunting using Texas as a case study. Wildl. Soc. Bull. In press.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Outdoor Education Program Evaluation: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) offers at least 25 different outdoor recreational and outreach educational programs that target different audiences and utilize different types of delivery systems. This study was designed to produce a measurement instrument that evaluated program effectiveness, test the instrument on past participants in selected programs and design a strategy to use the instrument to evaluate future participants in TPWD outdoor recreational and outreach educational programs. The questionnaire determined respondents': (1) history of program participation, (2) knowledge of TPWD's mission and purpose, (3) level of involvement in selected outdoor recreational activities before and after program participation, (4) knowledge of basic outdoor recreational regulations and behaviors, (5) level of compliance with a variety of outdoor recreational behaviors, (6) attitudinal position on opposing statements on
outdoor recreational ethics or behaviors, and (7) demographic characteristics. The four test programs were angler, boater, and hunter education and Becoming an Outdoor Woman Workshop (BOW). Sampling error was high for the angler and boater education programs, but well within statistically acceptable ranges of repeatable results for the hunter education and BOW workshop participants. Nearly all of the demographic comparisons of respondents by program type were significantly different and biased by the inclusion of BOW participants. The majority of program participation was within the last two years; took place at a camp or school and was led by school teachers, game wardens or volunteers. Respondents' agency awareness, general knowledge, behavior given various scenarios, positions on dichotomous statements and change in outdoor recreational activity were measured. Respondents' comments focused on BOW workshops, the questionnaire and TPWD. Study findings are discussed in the context of
the program evaluation process. Several recommendations for future program evaluations and concluding remarks are included in this report. Intraspecific spatial dynamics of urban stray cats: Supporters of the TTVAR approach for the control of stray cat populations assume that a group of cats sharing a common food source will defend their space and resources from immigrating individuals. Previous studies indicated that group-living domestic cats exhibit a high degree of home range overlap. This study was designed to examine the spatial relationships among cats managed with the TTVAR method on the Texas A&M University campus.
Impacts
Urban societies are disconnected from the natural world and do not realize the impacts they make onthe environment.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
A study of Texas turkey hunters was conducted. The names of a random sample turkey stamp purchasers was drawn from the 1994-1995 season list. All members of the Texas Chapter of the Wild Turkey Federation were added to the respondent pool. Turkey hunters were sent a questionnaire that asked about their hunting methods, locations, access, and travel distance; opinions and attitudes on selected turkey management regulations or programs; factors that promote or prevent their participation in turkey hunting; factors that limit turkey populations in Texas and selected demographic characteristics. Questionnaires were returned by 1,350 turkey stamp purchasers and 729 of the Wild Turkey Federation members. About 2% of the respondents from both groups were not turkey hunters. The responses from the 2,014 turkey hunters in this study are generalizable to the Texas turkey hunter population at + 3%. On average, respondents began hunting turkeys when they were 30 years old and
have hunted for 17.5 years. The average age of respondents was 47 years old and the majority were white males. Over one-third hunted turkey in the Fall and Spring while 33% and 13%, respectively reported hunting during the Fall and Spring only. However, most of the Fall turkey hunters are also hunting white-tails and would not be hunting for turkey exclusively. Most respondents selected 2 out of 6 management strategies to increase Rio Grande turkey production in Texas. These were to allow gobbler only harvest for Fall and Spring seasons and implement a 1 bird bag limit. Hunters believed that predators, loss of habitat, change in habitat and adverse weather conditions were the factors that most limited turkey populations in Texas.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Adams, C.E., and Moreno, M. 1998. A comparative study of minority and majority natural resource professionals in the southeastern United States. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 26 in press.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
We completed a statewide study concerning the number and county distribution of game wardens in Texas. The data analyzed in this study were obtained from several state agencies and from a mail-out survey of Texas game wardens of which a majority are white males. Analysis of the secondary data proceeded in five stages: exploratory analysis, variable transformation, computation of bivariate correlations, maximum R-square variable selection, and manpower estimation. Game wardens and their captains returned 685 of 690 mailed questionnaires (99% response rate). All 254 counties were represented one or more times. The strongest correlations with the number of game warden hours per county were with the average numbers of water safety and fishing violations issued and numbers of recreational and commercial fishing licenses sold from 1991 to 1996. The regression model explained 78 percent of the total variation in the distribution of game wardens and estimated that there was a
statewide excess of 16 game wardens. In contrast, the game wardens indicated that 160 more game wardens were needed. Over half (59%) of the differences between observed and perceived need were in regions 3 (20), 6 (35), and 8 (39) suggesting that a closer study of these regions and counties be conducted. The large differences between the model estimates and wardens perceptions could have occurred because of a lack of data (e.g., number of anglers, boaters, or campers), incomplete data (e.g., number of hunters for dove, pheasant and waterfowl), and unreliable data (e.g., number of deer, quail and turkey hunters and game harvests) for each county. Game wardens gave the highest importance values to these factors as determinants of game warden need in each county. The accuracy and predictability of future manpower assessments will require county-level information on the number of hunters, anglers, boaters, campers and the miles of flowing streams and rivers, which were unavailable in this
study.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- ADAMS, C.E., THOMAS, J.K. and ROBERTSON, J. 1997. A Texas game warden manpower assessment study. Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast. Fish and Wildl. Agencies 51: (in press).
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
We completed a state-wide study of Missouri residents attitudes concerning alternative urban deer management options. This study was conducted in St. Louis and Kansas City and was the first to address urban wildlife management problems. Sampling was by census blocks within the two cities. The effective response rate was 60% (n = 3,350) of which 51% and 49% were residents, 18 years of age or older, in St. Louis and Kansas City, respectively. Respondents interest or knowledge of white-tailed deer reflected how they regarded various urban deer management strategies. For example, those with little or no interest or knowledge of deer were more likely to accept lethal means of control as were respondents who had encounters with deer that cost them money. This study was conducted primarily as a proactive management strategy by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The agency is planning various methods of urban deer control in the future and used the results of the this
study to gauge public opinion an alternative strategies.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- ADAMS, C. E., LEIFESTER, J., HERRON, J.S.C. 1997. A comparative study of Texas birders and waterfowl hunters. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 24 (accepted for publication).
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
We completed a state-wide study of women hunters. This was the first comparativestudy of male and female hunters. Data on male hunters was taken from a previous study. A questionnaire was mailed to 2,200 female hunting license purchasers to determine initiation patterns, motivations and constraints. Effective response rate was 32.8% (n = 659) giving a +3.5% sampling error at 95% level of confidence. Even though over 100,000 hunting licenses were sold to women during the1993-94 season, between 18 and 30% of our respondents reported that they did not hunt or were not aware they purchased a hunting license. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences between male and female hunters on initiation ages and hunting instructors, but no differences between groups on achievement-oriented hunting motivations was found. Structural and interpersonal constraints contributed more than intrapersonal constraints to variation in females'hunting experience. Texas-female hunters are
initiated into hunting by husbands; motivated to hunt because of achievement, affiliative, and appreciative reasons; and confront few barriers to hunting participation. Family participation in hunting is closely associated witha female's participation.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
We completed two comparative studies of Texas birders (N = 978) and waterfowl hunters (N = 1300, members of Ducks Unlimited) and of majority (N = 955) and minority (N = 938) natural resource professionals in the Southeastern United States. The former study revealed that birders spent 3 times more money, spent more time in the field, took more trips over more days, and covered more miles than the average waterfowl hunter. Birders traveled to every available habitat in every comer of the state, and frequently left the state and country to go birding. Texas birders were older than waterfowl hunters and started birding later in life than waterfowl hunters began hunting. Retired residents should be introduced to birding as a wildlife-related activity. The latter study indicated that there were low but significant (P < 0.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93
Outputs
We completed the study that analyzed Texas crop producer's (N = 2,037) participation in the federal Farm Program, their use of selected conservation practices, and their opinions about U.S. agricultural policies and the environment. Twenty per cent of the respondents participated in the Conservation Reserve Program, but 84% of all producers surveyed received government payments for participation in commodity and other programs. Many producers opposed the environmental provisions in the Farm Act because of their perceived threat to the economic viability of their farms, their perceptions of the regulation's effectiveness and enforceability, and many did not think their farming practices negatively impact the environment. Although 70% thought farmers should be concerned about protecting wetlands for wildlife, only 47% agreed that endangered species and their habitats should be protected on agricultural land. The results of this study determined that farmers are more
likely to participate in conservation programs when the government provides economic incentives and when participation does not threaten farm profitability.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/92 to 12/30/92
Outputs
We completed a study that compared resident and nonresident hunters in Texas. This study revealed that nonresident hunters: (1) are significantly (P < 0.05) different from residents in terms of age, income, occupational status, education, and hunting expenditures; (2) most often pursue white-tailed deer (81%) and wild turkey (43%) during their hunting trips; (3) spend an average of 9 days hunting in Texas; and (4) primarily (60%) come from Louisiana. Resident and nonresident hunters also were compared in terms of hunting license purchases, kinship hunting networks, factors that prevent them from going hunting, reasons for going hunting, where they hunt, and attitudes toward hunting. Further analysis of study results will examine those factors that promote or prevent hunting participation by resident and nonresident hunters.
Impacts
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Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91
Outputs
We completed statewide analysis of commercial trade of nongame wildlife with an examination of rattlesnake roundups. This study revealed that (1) the Western Diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox, is highly commercialized by a few resident and nonresident dealers; (2) hunters are primarily white males that hunt rattlesnakes by gassing dens or road hunt, and most often hunt in their own county of residence; (3) people who attend roundups are primarily white, male, middle-aged residents of the county where the roundup is held; and (4) Texas has few regulations to control the collection or commercialization of this rattlesnake. Only 19,427 pounds of rattlesnakes were turned into 15 active roundups in 1991. The biological impact of rattlesnake roundups on endemic populations could not be determined accurately without field data. However, historical data on hunter-harvest/year over a five-year period at four roundups indicated slightly decreasing trends.
Impacts
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Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90
Outputs
Completed the statewide analysis of Texas hunting leases and the first phase of the assessment of the commercial trade of nongame wildlife. The first study revealed that hunting lease operations cannot be perceived as a business enterprise in the same sense as ranching and farming. Few records are kept on operating expenses perhaps because investments in facilities and services for hunters and wildlife management techniques are minimal. Few leases offer alternative wildlife-related activities other than hunting. With few exceptions, hunting leases in Texas are: (1) informal agreements between lease operators and hunters, (2) influenced by factors other than profit, (3) limited to state resident hunters, and (4) focused on, although not limited to, white-tailed deer. The second study provided evidence that: (1) the trade of Texas nongame wildlife may be substantial, (2) markets for Texas nongame wildlife and wildlife products are diverse, and (3) Texas nongame
wildlife is readily accessible to commercial exploitation by nonresidents.
Impacts
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Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89
Outputs
Completed (1) assessment of public uses of Texas wildlife on natural areas, (2) national comparison of structural factors affecting public participation in selected wildlife-related activities, and (3) statewide assessment of agriscience teachers' involvement in resource ecology education. The first study revealed majority support for nonconsumptive vs consumptive uses of Texas wildlife, distinct types of activity groups among the Texas public, and majority support for a wide range of wildlife educational programs. The second study revealed that the provision of public lands does not lead to increased utilization of these areas by the public. The third study revealed that agriscience teachers are restructuring their curricula toward a greater emphasis on natural resources and wildlife/fisheries management issues.
Impacts
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Progress 01/01/88 to 12/30/88
Outputs
Research on the socioeconomic issues related to wildlife focused on a statewide assessment of public uses of Texas wildlife and natural areas. The Texas public (N=2,078) consists of four recreational groups--enthusiasts (58%), appreciatives (27%), utilitarian (9%), and nonactivists (6%)--basedon their reported participation in consumptive and/or nonconsumptive activities. Few respondents (19%) knew which State agency manages Texas wildlife. Respondents most desired information on the State's environmental problems, wildlife, and recreational areas. Time and money were the factors that most prevented participation in wildlife-related activities. Respondents supported hunting for food, game management, and predator control but opposed hunting for recreation, making a profit, and trophies. The Texas public has the greatest interest in visiting natural areas containing deer followed by songbirds. Nearly all (92%) of the landowners (N=273) contacted did not want to
allow public access to their property even if additional income could be earned.
Impacts
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Progress 01/01/87 to 12/30/87
Outputs
Research progress on the socioeconomic issues related to wildlife focused on theeducation component of the wildlife mangement paradigm. Data from a national assessment of the status of wildlife education in Information and Education (I&E) divisions of state natural resource agencies in terms of budgets, personnel, and programs revealed that: I&E divisions receive only 2.8% of the total agency budget and are staffed with 2.7% of the total agency personnel, hunter education, agency magazine, and water safety programs receive the highest funding ($167.1, 260.1, and 115.9 thousand, respectively) when compared to other programs, and the national expenditures on hunter education is $13.5 million compared to $4.4 million on teacher education. In Texas, the I&E division receives 2% of the agency budget and are staffed with 1.5% of the total agency personnel. The agency magazine is the primary medium for conservation education utilizing 59% of the I&E personnel.
Impacts
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Progress 01/01/86 to 12/30/86
Outputs
This project focuses on evaluating and measuring (1) the value of in-school museum exhibitry as a mechanism to promote wildlife education; (2) the wildlife knowledge of urban high school students; (3) the status of wildlife conservation education in state natural resource agencies; and (4) the comparative wildlife orientations and activities of 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students in Taiwan and America. Resultant data indicated that urban high school students have an average to poor understanding of the identification, size, eating habits, present numbers of selected wildlife species within Harris County, Texas, and the effect of urbanization on these populations. However, in-school exhibits significantly (ANOVA, P=.0001) improved student knowledge on these concepts. Other research findings demonstrated significantly (P=.05) different frequencies of Tawiwanese and American students in the action, satisfaction, frustration, and apathetic orientations toward
wildlife largely due to lack of opportunity to participate in wildlife-related activities by Taiwanese students. However, these students rated and ranked wildlife-related activities significantly (ANOVA, P=.0001) higher than their American counterparts.
Impacts
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Progress 01/01/85 to 12/30/85
Outputs
Secondary data analysis of the Texas Hunter Survey (1982) resulted in a 1985 publication in the Wildlife Society Bulletin. The public education aspects of this research program were partially expedited with a symposium at the National Association of Biology Teachers and a publication in the American Biology Teacher. The human wildlife orientations component has produced two articles submitted to the American Biology Teacher and the Journal for Research in Science Teaching. A NSF Grant proposal was submitted to offer an Inservice Wildlife Institute to teachers (K-12) but status is pending. Projects in progress are: (1) the use of in-school museum exhibitry as an educational medium, (2) the wildlife education attitudes, activities, and expectations of state game agencies and schools of wildlife and fisheries sciences, (3) the wildlife orientations of 7th - 12th grade students in Taiwan and American (Victoria, Tx), and (4) an assessment of the status of environmental
education in Texas.
Impacts
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Progress 01/01/84 to 12/30/84
Outputs
Secondary data analysis of the Texas Hunter Survey (1982) resulted in two publications, a TAES Technical Report and an article submitted to Wildlife Society Bulletin. A model to determine human wildlife orientations was developed, field tested, and results were reported in a M.S. thesis. Funding to determine wildlife orientations of the Texas public has been sought from 3 sources with no success. The landowner component of this research program was studied by other investigators. A proposal to analyze the interpretive and recreational potential of the Cullen-Barker Urban Fish and Wildlife Management Area was funded for $56,803. This project established the baseline considerations required to establish a nature center and wildlife habitat management zone within the Barker Reservoir for Harris County, TX, Precinct 3. Results were reported in 3 project reports, Phase I (131p), Phase II (112p) and Phase III (113 p).
Impacts
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Progress 01/01/83 to 12/30/83
Outputs
Initiated a study of public attitudes on critical wildlife and natural habitat issues in Texas. The primary objective is to conduct a public, telephone survey designed to identify patterns of attitudes, activities and expectations of 1,000 Texas residents regarding wildlife and their habitats. Project proposal submitted to Brown Foundation, Inc. 12/15/83. Developed survey instrument designed to characterize human attitudes toward wildlife. Pre-test administered, results analyzed, data and recommendations forthcoming.
Impacts
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Progress 11/01/81 to 09/30/82
Outputs
This project was designed to assess the attitudes and preferences of 4 population subsets of Texas residents: hunters, non-hunters, landowners and wildlife specialists, concerning Texas wildlife and wildlife regulatory policies. A telephone survey of 3081 hunters was conducted during the 1981-82 season and the final report (P.R. No. W-107-R) was submitted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) September 1982. Contracts to survey 1,500 non-hunters from January to December 1983 are being processed. The hunter survey covered demographic characteristics, past and current hunting involvement, game species hunted, environmental issues, attitudes on selected wildlife laws, regulations, and management issues, and sources of wildlife information considered reliable by the hunters sampled. The average Texas hunter was upper-middle class, middle-aged, white, and male. He was raised in rural areas. The average age of initiation into hunting was 14. Parents (59%)
or other relatives (14%) introduced hunting into the respondent's lifestyle. Lifetime hunting experience averaged 22 years. Reduced hunting involvement was indicated by nearly 75% of those sampled. Leasing was not a major access strategy used by hunters. Hunters were committed to hunting as recreation and ways for improving Texas hunting conditions. White-tailed deer was the game species hunted by 75% of those sampled but mixed bag hunting was the norm.
Impacts
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