The Identification, Life History, and Habitat Requirements of the Wildlife Viewer 2002 Mark Damian Duda Responsive Management October 2002

Overview of Presentation Wildlife Values of the U.S. Public: Where does wildlife viewing fall on the spectrum of wildlife values among the public? Wildlife Values of Fish and Wildlife Agency Employees: Where does wildlife viewing fall on the spectrum of importance among fish and wildlife agency employees? Trends in Wildlife Viewing: What are the trends in wildlife viewing participation? Latent Demand for Wildlife Viewing: Is there a latent demand for wildlife viewing? Demand for Wildlife Viewing Information: Does the public want information about wildlife viewing?

Overview of Presentation, Cont. Wildlife Viewing Markets: Is there such a thing as a “General Wildlife Viewer?” Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Environmental Issues: Are wildlife viewers more conservation/environmentally oriented? Wildlife Values of Wildlife Viewers: What kinds of wildlife values do wildlife viewers hold? Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Agency Program Areas: What fish and wildlife agency programs do wildlife viewers support? Wildlife Viewer Donations to Wildlife Organizations: How much money do wildlife viewers donate?

Overview of Presentation, Cont. Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Agency Funding: Do wildlife viewers support increased funding for fish and wildlife agencies? Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Hunting: Are wildlife viewers more likely to oppose hunting? Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Wildlife Viewing: What do wildlife viewers want? Nongame/Nonconsumptive and Species Preference of Wildlife Viewers: What species do wildlife viewers watch? Recreational Interference and Wildlife Viewing: Is there a conflict in the field?

Wildlife Values of the U.S. Public: Where does wildlife viewing fall on the spectrum of wildlife values among the public?

Wildlife Values of Fish and Wildlife Agency Employees: Where does wildlife viewing fall on the spectrum of importance among fish and wildlife agency employees?

Trends in Wildlife Viewing: What are the trends in wildlife viewing participation?

percent change Wildlife watching, total………………………………-13 Residential…………………………………………-15 Observe wildlife……………………………………-23 Photograph wildlife………………………………..-18 Feed wild birds or other wildlife…………………..-17 Visit public parks or areas…………………………-29 Maintain plantings or natural areas………………..-4* Nonresidential……………………………………..-27 Observe wildlife…………………………………..-30 Photograph wildlife……………………………….-34 Feed wildlife……………………………………… Wildlife Watching Participants (U.S. population 16 years and older. Numbers in thousands.) *Not different from zero at the 5 percent level. Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

Latent Demand for Wildlife Viewing: Is there a latent demand for wildlife viewing?

Demand for Wildlife Viewing Information: Does the public want information about wildlife viewing?

Wildlife Viewing Markets: Is there such a thing as a “General Wildlife Viewer?”

Is there such a thing as a “General Wildlife Viewer?” “Birder” Birdwatcher Wildlife Viewer Wildlife Watcher Primary Residential Wildlife Viewer Primary Nonresidential Wildlife Viewer Secondary Residential Wildlife Viewer Secondary Nonresidential Wildlife Viewer Ability to Identify a Specified Number of Birds

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Environmental Issues: Are wildlife viewers more conservation/environmentally oriented?

Attitudes toward Environmental Issues, as Measured by the Following Questions: Would you say there are too many, about the right amount or too few wetlands in North America? Do you think it is important or unimportant to conserve waterfowl populations? Do you think it is important or unimportant to protect and conserve wetlands?

Attitudes toward Environmental Issues, Continued. Residential wildlife viewers are significantly more likely to think that there are too few wetlands in North America. Wildlife viewing trip takers are significantly more likely to think there are too few wetlands in North America. Residential wildlife viewers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to conserve waterfowl populations. Wildlife viewing trip takers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to conserve waterfowl populations.

Attitudes toward Environmental Issues, Continued. Birdwatchers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to conserve waterfowl populations. Residential wildlife viewers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to protect and conserve wetlands. Wildlife viewing trip takers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to protect and conserve wetlands. Birdwatchers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to protect and conserve wetlands.

Wildlife Values of Wildlife Viewers: What kinds of wildlife values do wildlife viewers hold?

Texas residential wildlife viewers, wildlife viewing trip takers, and birdwatchers are all significantly higher in their support/importance ratings for knowing that (exceptions noted): Wildlife exists Fish and wildlife populations are being properly managed People have the opportunity to fish People have the opportunity to hunt People have the opportunity to boat People have the opportunity to view wildlife Ecologically important habitats and lands are being protected and preserved Natural areas exist in Texas for enjoying and experiencing nature Historic sites are protected and preserved Water resources are safe and well protected (unrelated to nonresidential wildlife viewing) People have the opportunity to visit historically significant sites (significantly lower for nonresidential wildlife viewers)

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Agency Program Areas: What fish and wildlife agency programs do wildlife viewers support?

Wildlife Viewer Donations to Wildlife Organizations: How much money do wildlife viewers donate?

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Agency Funding: Do wildlife viewers support increased funding for fish and wildlife agencies?

Would you support or oppose more TPW funding to… Provide additional access to outdoor recreation opportunities? Preserve more historic sites? Enhance efforts for managing and conserving fish and wildlife populations? Buy additional land for conservation of natural resources and outdoor recreation use? *Residential wildlife viewers, wildlife viewing trip takers, and birdwatchers are all significantly higher in their support for funding for these programs.

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Hunting: Are wildlife viewers more likely to oppose hunting?

Attitudes toward Hunting, Measured by the Following Question: In general, do you approve or disapprove of hunting? (Asked of U.S. residents, 18 years of age or older) Residential wildlife viewers are significantly more likely to approve of hunting. Wildlife viewing trip takers are not more likely to approve/disapprove of hunting. Birdwatchers are not more likely to approve/disapprove of hunting.

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Wildlife Viewing: What do wildlife viewers want?

Nongame/Nonconsumptive and Species Preference of Wildlife Viewers: What species do wildlife viewers watch?

Recreational Interference and Wildlife Viewing: Is there a conflict in the field?