Student Attitudes and State Regulations Involving the Harvest of Marked Animals
Wildlife Ecology and Management Elizabeth Hartmann
Wildlife researchers often mark animals to monitor populations, but these individuals may be harvested, potentially biasing data. Attitudes toward harvesting marked animals vary based on experience, identity, and exposure to wildlife-related education. State hunting regulations shape these attitudes and can influence how harvest affects individual research objectives. This study examines how student attitudes toward harvesting marked animals vary between hunters and non-hunters and across academic majors, alongside a nationwide review of state regulations on the harvest of radiocollared animals. A Qualtrics survey was distributed to students through introductory CNR courses and a campus-wide email to student organizations. Participants received comparable questions tailored to their hunter status. For the review, state hunting regulation guides were located through agency websites. Systematic Google searches were conducted to determine each state’s stance on harvesting radiocollared animals. Stances were categorized by species as encouraged, discouraged, or neutral. I hypothesize that students majoring outside natural resources will be more likely to support the harvest of marked animals, while non-hunters will be less likely to support the harvest of marked animals. Survey data collection is ongoing. Currently, preliminary findings from the review indicate that most states take a neutral or discouraged stance on the harvest of radiocollared animals. This research will help wildlife professionals create informed management plans by understanding how hunter status and educational backgrounds shape attitudes about the harvest of marked animals and will provide a reference for researchers to consider harvest restrictions for marked populations.
Advisors: Cady Sartini, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Human Dimensions
Type: Poster
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
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