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Attitudes and Behavior of Deer Hunters in a Maryland Forest

1974; Wiley; Volume: 38; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/3800193

1937-2817

James J. Kennedy,

Economic and Environmental Valuation

This paper examines the attitudes and behavior of hunters using the Pocomoke State Forest, Maryland, during the 1969 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) season. Three hundred seventythree responses to a mailed questionnaire indicate that these hunters will tolerate rather high hunter densities. They reacted negatively only to hunters who were careless or unsafe. Results also suggest that the enjoyment of getting out-of-doors and the pleasure of one's companions might be of equal or greater importance to hunting satisfaction than shooting a deer. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(1):1-8 Like all natural resource professionals, wildlife managers are under pressure to become more people-oriented. It is no longer adequate to merely know how to produce wildlife. Managers must have some understanding of their clients who enjoy wildlife for hunting, for observation, or for both (Hendee 1972). This paper examines a sample of hunters using the Pocomoke State Forest, Maryland, during the 1969 deer season. The area was selected as a case study by the state of Maryland's forest and wildlife agencies because it was experiencing increased pressures for timber harvest, camping, and hunting. Since deer hunters using the forest were mostly urbanites from the Baltimore metropolitan area, some wildlife managers might consider their opinions about hunting atypical. No claim is made that the Pocomoke sample is characteristic of Maryland or Atlantic seaboard deer hunters. Hopefully, this case study will motivate research more representative of state or regional hunter populations. Of the many aspects of deer hunting explored in the mailed questionnaire, this paper examines only two: the effect that other hunters have upon deer hunting enjoyment and the importance of shooting a deer in the total hunting experience. For a complete description of research design, methods, and results see Kennedy (1970).