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

Respondents

Non-hunters

Hunters

77.5%

22.5%

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

Questions?

Photo Source: http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/1012926_tcm9-138318.jpg?width=1170&crop=(0,872,3756,2436)