Jordan Petchenik

Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin: Hunter Behavior, Perceived Risk, and Agency Trust

License sales for the 2002 Wisconsin gun deer hunting season declined approximately 11% following the discovery of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the state. This article examines the extent to which CWD influenced 2001 Wisconsin deer hunters who did not participate in the 2002 season. The article also compares 2002 hunters against those who dropped out in 2002 relative to their perceptions of risks associated with CWD and their trust in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Data were obtained from a survey of 2001 resident Wisconsin deer hunters (n=1,373, response rate=67%). A cluster analysis of 14 possible reasons for not hunting indicated that about half (estimate=52%±5%) of the 2001 Wisconsin hunters that did not participate in the 2002 season did not hunt because of CWD. The remaining non-hunters dropped out of gun deer hunting for a variety of reasons unrelated to CWD (e.g., not enough time, conflicting responsibilities). Individuals who dropped out for non-CWD reasons gave responses on perceived CWD risk and trust in WDNR that were statistically equivalent to those of 2002 gun hunters. Non-hunters who did not participate due to CWD were less likely to believe the information provided by the WDNR and were less trusting of this agency compared to those who hunted. These findings reinforce the role of social trust in fostering a positive relationship with an agency’s stakeholders.

Social Aspects of Muskellunge Management in Wisconsin

Abstract Public opinion plays an important part in the successful development of a fisheries management plan. We used a mail questionnaire to survey 1,400 anglers who fish for muskellunge Esox masquinongy in Wisconsin. The survey included defined groups of muskellunge anglers separated by muskellunge club affiliation and geographic location and general anglers selected from a random sample of angler license sales. The survey questions were designed to obtain opinions regarding muskellunge fishery and trophy management in Wisconsin in terms of angling behaviors, regulation options, and perceived problems. All anglers generally preferred fishing with artificial lures and practiced the voluntary live release of legal-length muskellunge. Muskellunge anglers considered a trophy muskellunge to be at least 40 in long, with a preferred length of 50 in or longer. Muskellunge anglers also supported regulations for muskellunge that were based on a waters biological potential, along with increased restrictions on re...

A Cautionary Note on Using the Internet to Survey Recent Hunter Education Graduates

This Findings Abstract presents the results of a single-contact Web-based survey administered to recent graduates of Wisconsin’s hunter education program. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) initiated a hunter education program in 1967. A 1985 state law mandated that all hunters born on or after January 1, 1973 must earn a certificate of accomplishment in hunter education before purchasing a hunting license (Wis. Stat. 29.591). To obtain a certificate, students must pass both a written examination and a practical exam with a firearm. As of 2009, 955,827 students have graduated from Wisconsin’s hunter education program (WDNR, 2010). The first statewide evaluation of the students’ experiences with the program was conducted in 2009. The assessment included a single-contact Internet survey that was posted on “dnr.wi.gov” from April 20, 2009 to December 31, 2009. All students that graduated from the hunter education program during those dates (n = 16,560) were asked by a letter that accompanied their graduation certificate to evaluate their Wisconsin hunter education experience. Given the drawbacks of Internet surveys (Dillman & Bowker, 2001; Dillman, 2007; Duda & Nobile, 2010) our reliance on this method was not without concern. For example, a recent meta-analysis found that Web surveys, on average, result in response rates 11% lower than those from other survey modes (Lozar Manfreda, Bosnjak, Berzelak, Haas, & Vehovar, 2008). Other drawbacks include (a) software incompatibilities such as old Web browsers incapable of displaying the questionnaire as the researcher intended and (b) slow transmission speeds resulting in lengthy download times (Dillman, 2007). Despite these drawbacks, hunter education administrators and the authors elected to utilize the Internet to survey recent hunter education graduates. Several reasons were behind the decision. First, the WDNR has had historical success with surveys. Response rates from mail surveys conducted by the WDNR have ranged from 62% to 93%. Response rates after a single contact (no advance letter) have typically ranged from 25% to 40% (Petchenik, DNR, personal data, 1987–2010). Second, Internet surveys typically cost less

CWD After “the Fire”: Six Reasons Why Hunters Resisted Wisconsin's Eradication Effort

Eight years after undertaking an unprecedented attempt to eradicate chronic wasting disease (CWD) from its free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population, Wisconsin wildlife managers are rethinking their strategies in the face of public opposition to their efforts. This article draws on a dozen surveys of hunters and landowners to identify six psychological bases that created deer hunter opposition to the Wisconsin plan. These include opposition to the population goal, conflicts with traditions, conflicts with consumption norms, the uncertainty of the plans efficacy, and perceived lack of credibility in the agency. We argue that these six clusters of attitudinal beliefs made it unlikely that hunter support could have been cultivated regardless of the scope or pace of the CWD eradication effort. Our findings call into question the use of recreational hunting as a viable tool for bringing about severe deer population reductions for disease management.

Hunter and Nonhunter Beliefs about Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin

Abstract We examined beliefs of landowners who hunt and do not hunt regarding chronic wasting disease (CWD) and its management. We mailed surveys to a random sample of 973 Wisconsin, USA, landowners living in the CWD southwest disease eradication zone. Of 613 respondents, 360 (59%) were hunters and 253 (41%) were not hunters. We created multiple item indices to measure respondent beliefs about effects of CWD and its management. Hunters and nonhunters differed on 5 of 6 belief indices. Both groups were, on average, relatively neutral in their trust of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources but landowners who did not hunt reported slightly higher trust. Both groups were neutral or slightly agreed that CWD should be managed and they were concerned about deer (Odocoileus spp.) health and the safety of eating venison. Landowners who did not hunt were more likely than those who hunted to agree with these issues but effect sizes indicated these differences were minimal. Landowners who hunted were more concerned than nonhunters about effects of CWD on deer hunting. Cluster analyses indicated most nonhunting landowners were neutral or not concerned about CWD and its management, whereas most hunting landowners were concerned. Our results suggest that managers should use communication campaigns to increase awareness and mitigate concerns about CWD, increase trust and input related to the disease, and inform publics about CWD management strategies.

Epidemiologic trends in medically-attended tree stand fall injuries among Wisconsin deer hunters

BACKGROUND Tree stand falls are the most common injury to hunters in the USA, but there is limited research on the topic. This study examined the 5-year trends in incident tree stand fall injuries in rural north-central Wisconsin and described patient demographics and injury features. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on five prior hunting seasons, 2009-2013. Cases were ascertained from electronic health records via natural language processing that identified patients from the Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area who received medical attention for a tree stand fall. Annual incidence rates were calculated using the number of hunting license holders in the target population, per administrative data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. RESULTS There were 16,556-16,902 deer hunters in any given year, with 39 (92% male) confirmed medically-attended tree stand fall injuries in 2009-2013. Injuries mainly occurred in the lower extremities (n=23), and included two fatalities and one paralysis case. The risk of tree stand fall injuries went from 6.0 (95% CI: 3.2, 11.1) per 10,000 hunters in 2009 to 3.6 (95% CI: 1.6, 7.9) per 10,000 hunters in 2013, which was not a significant change over 5 years (p=0.79). Most falls occurred among archery hunters, in the evening and when descending from a tree stand. Cases were demographically similar to the general population of Wisconsin deer hunters. CONCLUSIONS The current seasonal incidence rate of tree stand fall injuries is relatively low in rural Wisconsin, but with limited signs of improvement. Continued efforts are needed to promote the long-term safety of the hunting public.

Piloting an “Opt-Out” Option for Wildlife Surveys of the General Public

ABSTRACT Random sample surveys may provide the best way to collect data that accurately represent public attitudes on wildlife issues, but survey response rates have declined in recent years. Often, little information is collected on why people choose not to participate. In a recent survey of public attitudes toward wolves in Wisconsin, we tested a method that allowed recipients to “opt-out” of participating, as well as indicate their reasons for doing so. Including this option increased our survey responses, and data showed significant differences in demographics between full survey respondents and opt-outs. The most frequently cited reasons for opting-out were lack of knowledge of the topic (63%) and trust in the state to manage wolves without their input (31%). Results suggest that providing a means for survey recipients to indicate why they are not participating can yield multiple benefits, although further testing of this method is needed.