Presented at the NASC 5th Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit Friday, December 5, 2008 Mark Damian Duda Responsive Management The Sportsman’s Voice: Hunting

Presented at thePresented at theNASC 5th Annual Sportsman-Legislator SummitNASC 5th Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit

Friday, December 5, 2008Friday, December 5, 2008

Mark Damian DudaMark Damian Duda

Responsive ManagementResponsive Management

The Sportsman’s Voice:The Sportsman’s Voice:Hunting and Fishing in AmericaHunting and Fishing in America

Sponsored by the Sponsored by the Congressional Sportsmen’s FoundationCongressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

The Sportsman’s Voice:The Sportsman’s Voice:Hunting and Fishing in AmericaHunting and Fishing in America

PURPOSE OF BOOK To help promote legislation and programs that

further the mission of fish and wildlife agencies

To help promote legislation and programs that enhance hunting and fishing opportunities

To promote effective exchange of ideas among legislators, hunting and fishing organizations, and fish and wildlife agencies

Responsive Management



40,000 1 million


650,000 7 million


rarely seen 5.5 million


WHY SPORTSMEN’S ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT

There is a large number of sportsmen in the United States(5-year timeframe)

• 18.6 million Americans 16 years old and older hunt

• 44.4 million Americans 16 years old and older fish

The opportunity to hunt and fish is important to the American public, even though many do not hunt or fish.

Sportsmen are essential to species protection and species management.

Sportsmen are integral to habitat conservation.

Hunting and fishing have major economic impacts on the U.S. economy.

Sportsmen vote and wield considerable political clout.


METHODOLOGY Literature review

Review of internal Responsive Management research (700 studies)

Survey of state fish and wildlife agencies

Interviews with key fish and wildlife personnel

50 state level reports

Development of a 417-page manuscript

Review of manuscript by 20 fish and wildlife professionals


TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction

Chapter 1: A History of Hunting, Fishing, and Fish and Wildlife Management in the United States

Chapter 2: Public Attitudes Toward the Environment, Natural Resources, and Wildlife

Chapter 3: Attitudes Toward Hunting and Fishing

Chapter 4: Participation in Hunting and Fishing

Chapter 5: Law Enforcement, Firearms, and Safety Issues

Chapter 6: Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Commissions, Government Acts, and Sportsmen’s and Conservation Organizations

Chapter 7: Funding for the Management of Fish and Wildlife

Chapter 8: The Economic Significance of Hunting and Fishing

Chapter 9: Ballot Initiatives, Referenda, and Sportsmen’s Issues

Chapter 10: The Future of Hunting and Fishing in the United States / Recruitment and Retention Programs


Chapter 1:A History of Hunting, Fishing,

and Fish and Wildlife Management in the United States





“…and which shall include a prohibition against the diversion of license fees paid by hunters for any other purpose than the administration of said State fish and game department…”

-Virginia Representative (later Senator) A. Willis Robertson


Chapter 2:Public Attitudes Toward the

Environment, Natural Resources, and Wildlife


Compared to other issues, how important to you, personally, is the environment?

(Adult Americans nationwide.)

13

60

22

5

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Most important

Very important

Somewhatimportant

Not veryimportant

Don't know/Refused

Percent


Percentage of Adults Nationwide Who Personally Worry a Great Deal About the Following Problems.

53

50

50

48

44

43

40

39

37

37

33

23

0 20 40 60 80 100

Pollution of drinking water

Pollution of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs

Contamination of soil and water by toxic waste

Maintenance of nation's fresh water suppy

The loss of natural habitat for wildlife

Air pollution

The loss of tropical rain forests

Damage to the earth's ozone layer

Extinction of plant and animal species

The "greenhouse effect" or "global warming"

Urban sprawl and loss of open spaces

Acid rain

Percent (n=1012)Source: Gallup.


Overall Public Knowledge Grades

Public knowledge of fish and wildlife management was graded based on responses to 18 questions.


Kellert’s Typology of Basic Wildlife Attitudes

ATTITUDE

ESTIMATED % OF AMERICAN POPULATION

STRONGLY ORIENTED TOWARD THE ATTITUDE

COMMON BEHAVIORAL EXPRESSIONS

MOST RELATED VALUES / BENEFITS

Naturalistic 10%Outdoor wildlife related recreation—backcountry use, nature birding, and nature hunting

Recreational

Ecologistic 7%Conservation support, activism and membership, ecological study

Ecological

Humanistic 35%Pets, wildlife tourism, casual zoo visitation

Companionship, affective

Moralistic 20%Animal welfare support / membership, kindness to animals

Ethical, existence

Scientistic 1% Scientific study / hobbies, collecting Scientific

Aesthetic 15%Nature appreciation, art, wildlife tourism

Aesthetic

Utilitarian 20%Consumption of furs, raising meat, bounties, meat hunting

Consumptive, utilitarian

Dominionistic 3%Animal spectator sports, trophy hunting, animal training

Sporting

Negativistic 2% Cruelty, overt fear behavior Little or negative

Neutralistic 35% Avoidance of animal behavior Little or negative

Gender Value Differences

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Natura

listic

Ecolo

gistic

Human

istic

Mora

listic

Utilita

rian

Domin

ionis

tic

Negat

ivis

tic

Knowledge

Male

Female

Very high

High

Moderately high

Mean

Moderately low

Low

Very low


Chapter 3:Attitudes Toward Hunting and

Fishing


In general, do you approve or disapprove of legal hunting?

(U.S. residents.)

45

32

5

8

8

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly approve

Moderately approve

Neither approve nor disapprove

Moderately disapprove

Strongly disapprove

Don't know

Percent (n=813)


73

22

75

17

78

16

0

20

40

60

80

100

Overall approval Overall disapproval

1995 (n=2085)

2003 (n=757)

2006 (n=813)

Trends in Approval and Disapproval of Hunting Nationally



Percent who strongly or moderately approve of hunting for various species.(U.S. residents.)

78

75

71

69

60

47

42

40

0 20 40 60 80 100

Deer

Wild turkey

Small game

Waterfowl

Elk

Black bear

Mountain lion

Mourning dove

Percent (n=813)


In general, do you approve or disapprove of recreational fishing?

(U.S. residents.)

0

2

3

1

25

69

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglyapprove

Moderatelyapprove

Neither approvenor disapprove

Moderatelydisapprove

Stronglydisapprove

Don't know

Percent (n=813)


Percent who strongly or moderately approve of various types of fishing.

(U.S. residents.)

90

86

86

85

79

45

32

0 20 40 60 80 100

Fishing with bait

Fishing with lures

Catch-and-release fishing

Fly-fishing

Crabbing

Gigging

Snagging

Percent (n=813)


Chapter 4:Participation in

Hunting and Fishing



Breakdown of Sportsmen by Activity

Hunt only 11.7%

Fish only 63.1%

Hunt and Fish 25.2%

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / U.S. Census Bureau, 2007.

Number of Hunters in the United States

Source of DataNumber of

HuntersSurvey

Date

National Survey 14.1 million 2006

Federal assistance data 14.8 million 2006

NSGA 17.8 million 2006

SGMA 15.2 million 2004

NSRE 26.6 million 2000-2001


Hunting License Holders for Nation

13,500,000

14,000,000

14,500,000

15,000,000

15,500,000

16,000,000

16,500,000

17,000,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

Nu

mb

er o

f L

icen

se H

old

ers

People with Hunting Licenses in U.S. (Federal Aid Data)


Loss of land

Loss of rural people

Dilution of the hunting and shooting culture

Less free time and more time to travel

More structured time

Urbanization


1233355666

111416

40353433

1716

10109987

0 20 40 60 80 100

Amount of free timeFamily obligations

Work obligationsLoss of interest

Not enough accessFeeling of causing pain to animals

Not enough places to huntPersonal health

Poor behavior of huntersNo one to go with

Having to travel to huntToo many hunters in the field

Cost of hunting equipmentFeeling that hunting endangersFear of injury by another hunter

Costs of licensesNot enough law enforcement officers

Not enough gameMandatory hunter education

Pollution or litterComplex regulations

Not enough trophy gameBag limits/season lengths

Other people's negative opinionsHarassment by anti-hunters

Percent

Inactive hunter

Percent who indicated that the following things strongly influenced him/her to not hunt in recent years. (Among inactive hunters.)


413

813

1814

25221826

14 16 15

4035 34 33

17 16 16 14 11 10 10 9 9

0

20

40

60

80

100

Amount o

f fre

e tim

e

Family

oblig

atio

ns

Work

oblig

atio

ns

Loss o

f inte

rest

Not enough a

cces

s

Causi

ng pai

n to a

nimal

s

Not enough p

lace

s to

hunt

Perso

nal h

ealth

Poor beh

avio

r of h

unters

No one

to g

o with

Havin

g to tr

avel

to h

unt

Too m

any

hunters

in th

e fie

ld

Cost o

f huntin

g equip

men

t

1995 Inactive hunter2007 Inactive hunter

Percent who indicated that the following things strongly influence their decision to not go hunting in recent years. (Part 1.)



Fishing License Holders for Nation

26,500,000

27,000,000

27,500,000

28,000,000

28,500,000

29,000,000

29,500,000

30,000,000

30,500,000

31,000,000

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

Year

Lic

ense

Ho

lder

s

People with Fishing Licenses in U.S. (Federal Aid Data)

The Changing Face of Fishing Participation

9

28

20

8

1914

1

11 147

40

26

0

20

40

60

80

100

Catching largefish

Catching freshfish

Forsport/recreation

To be close tonature

To be w/ friendsand family

For relaxation

Per

cen

t

1980, Kellert Study 2006, RM Study


Chapter 5:Law Enforcement, Firearms,

and Safety Issues


Trend in the number of accidental firearm fatalities in the U.S.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2006

Nu

mb

er

of

ac

cid

en

tal

fire

arm

fa

tali

tie

s.

Source: National Shooting Sports Foundation, 2008.


Firearm Fatalities by Type

Accidents2%

Suicides57%

Homicides39%

Legal intervention/ Undetermined

2%

Source: National Safety Council, 2008.


Chapter 6:Fish and Wildlife Agencies and

Commissions, Government Acts, and Sportsmen’s and Conservation

Organizations


As a Division Within a Parent

AgencyExample:

As Its Own Agency

Example:

The Virginia Department of

Game and Inland Fisheries

The Georgia Department of

Natural Resources

Wildlife Resources Division

Fish and Wildlife Agencies Within the Structure of State Governments


Agency Structure in Each State for Fish and Wildlife Management

(Examples)

STATE AGENCY STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATORS

Alabama

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources(Commissioner, M. Barnett Lawley),

Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries(Director, M.N. “Corky” Pugh)

Fisheries Section(Chief, Stan Cook)

Wildlife Section(Chief, Gary Moody)

Alaska

Alaska Department of Fish and Game(Commissioner, Denby S. Lloyd)

Sport Fish Division(Director,

Charles O. Swanton)

Division of Wildlife Conservation(Director, Doug Larsen)


State Fisheries and Wildlife Commissions(Examples)

STATE BOARD

NUMBER OF

MEMBERS

HOW BOARD POSITIONS

FILLEDCRITERIA TO BE ON

BOARD

TERM OF MEMBERSHIP / MEETINGS PER

YEAR

AL

Alabama Conservation Advisory Board

14Appointed by governor

Experience or training pertinent to one of the principal lines of activity of the department; one member from each congressional district

6 years / 3 meetings per year

AKAlaska Board of Fisheries

7 and 1 ex-officio

Appointed by governor

Interest in public affairs, good judgment, knowledge, and ability in the field of action of the board with a view to providing diversity of interest and points of view in membership

3 years / 6 meetings per year


Which government agency would you say is most responsible for managing and protecting fish and wildlife

in [STATE]?(Northeast U.S. residents.)

4

55

25

16

0 20 40 60 80 100

Correct stateagency

Incorrect derivativeof state agency

Don't know

Other

Percent (n=4303)


Q160-Q170. Percent who think the following are very credible as a source of information on fish and wildlife.

(Southeast U.S. residents.)

20

22

24

38

40

49

52

52

57

60

63

0 20 40 60 80 100

Q160. The [agency]

Q168. A [agency] Wildlife Enforcement Agent

Q162. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Q163. A biologist with the [agency]

Q165. National Wildlife FederationQ164. A professor of biology or natural

resources at [state university]Q161. State's environmental agency

Q166. The American Society for the Preventionof Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Q167. A local environmental organization

Q169. A local sportsmen's organizationQ170. People for the Ethical Treatment of

Animals (PETA)

Percent


Chapter 7:Funding for the Management of

Fish and Wildlife


Current Fish and Wildlife Management Funding

Federal Aid programs, primarily the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration Programs

Hunting and fishing licenses, stamps, and permits

State tax general funds

State Wildlife Grants

Interest income on invested funds

Miscellaneous revenues, such as tax check-off programs and special automobile license plates


How do you think the [state fish and wildlife agency] is funded? (Open-ended.)

(Adult Americans in the southeastern states.)

011222

6

191919

2830

52

1276

0 20 40 60 80 100

Any general tax response*Taxes (nothing specific)

Don't knowHunting licenses

*General state taxesFishing licenses

*General federal taxesState income tax check-off

OtherState Wildlife Grants

FinesAny federal aid tax response

**Excise tax on hunting equip.Dedicated state sales tax

**Excise tax on fishing equip.**Taxes on motorboat fuel

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

ns

es

Allo

we

d

Percent (n=6484)


How do you think the [AGENCY] is funded?

0

4

1

5

5

3

5

39

18

42

18

29

49

11

5

5

0

1

2

1

1

1

6

6

7

12

14

20

14

30

30

52

0 20 40 60 80 100

Any general tax response

Taxes (nothing specific)

Don't know

Hunting licenses

General state taxes

Fishing licenses

General federal taxes

State income tax check-off/donations

Other

State Wildlife Grants

Fines

Any federal aid tax response

Excise taxes on hunting equipment

Portion of dedicated state sales tax

Excise taxes on fishing equipment

Taxes on motorboat fuel

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

All

ow

ed

Percent

Those who considerthemselves hunters(n=1215)

Non-hunters (n=5231)


Additional Topics in Chapter 7

Important Programs and Acts

Lists of Conservation and Sportsmen’s Organizations


Chapter 8:The Economic Significance of

Hunting and Fishing


Sportsmen’s ExpendituresSportsmen’s Expenditures

Annual and Daily Contributions Annual and Daily Contributions Per SportsmanPer Sportsman


Sportsmen's Expenditures by Type of Expenditure (in billions)

Trip-Related, $24.6, 33%

Other, $10.6, 14%

Equipment, $40.3, 53%

Total = $75.4

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / U.S. Census Bureau, 2007.


Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing to the U.S. Economy

State Jobs Retail SalesTotal Multiplier

Effect

Salaries, Wages, and

IncomeState and

Local TaxesFederal Taxes

Alabama 14,675 $878,457,126 $1,436,445,192 $406,102,677 $84,067,523 $92,115,074

Alaska 8,465 $530,165,682 $800,921,744 $252,957,398 $59,430,038 $55,025,790

Arizona 14,729 $849,711,854 $1,349,551,267 $445,283,318 $79,517,541 $98,953,436

Arkansas 10,313 $545,298,547 $895,174,271 $243,694,232 $52,020,280 $53,559,040

California 40,948 $2,677,352,981 $4,776,414,073 $1,569,145,960 $336,307,902 $362,195,468

Colorado 11,800 $819,683,869 $1,434,900,021 $446,318,554 $76,053,699 $101,842,838

Connecticut 4,465 $268,881,719 $445,971,378 $156,468,052 $28,480,265 $42,070,001

Delaware 1,420 $97,463,539 $131,459,897 $44,040,745 $10,190,756 $9,970,464

Florida 75,736 $4,412,241,741 $7,539,642,942 $2,329,546,824 $442,718,529 $558,078,312

Georgia 16,881 $1,132,885,393 $1,938,502,694 $552,256,594 $116,708,582 $128,709,708

Hawaii 1,999 $124,853,656 $178,478,157 $58,526,567 $12,304,778 $12,600,157

Idaho 6,006 $314,588,507 $491,513,602 $173,926,706 $36,763,621 $34,854,078

Illinois 14,040 $816,666,299 $1,499,897,096 $485,869,760 $90,898,882 $116,189,714

Indiana 14,254 $800,337,945 $1,382,834,777 $406,941,848 $77,789,225 $93,156,219

Chapter 9:Ballot Initiatives, Referenda,

and Sportsmen’s Issues


Chronology of Initiatives and Chronology of Initiatives and ReferendaReferenda

By year

By state

By topic


Chronology of Initiatives and Referenda Regarding Right-to-Hunt-and-Fish Constitutional

Amendments(Examples)

Year State Type Summary Outcome2004 Louisiana Legislative

ReferendumAdds language to state constitution concerning the right to hunt, fish, and trap

Pass

(Yes: 81%)

2004 Montana Legislative Referendum

Adds language to state constitution recognizing and preserving the right of Montanans to hunt and fish

Pass

(Yes: 80.6%)

2006 Georgia Initiative Inserts “right to hunt and fish” language into state constitution

Pass

(Yes: 81%)

2008 Oklahoma Legislative Referendum

Adds “right to hunt, trap, fish, and take game and fish” language to state constitution

Pass

(Yes: 80%)

Overall Numbers of Initiatives and Referenda Passed in Favor of and in Opposition to

Sportsmen’s Interests, 1910 – 2008 Total number of sportsmen-related ballot initiatives and referenda since 1910

78

Number of sportsmen-related initiatives and referenda for which the vote was in favor of a sportsmen’s agenda since 1910*

30

Number of sportsmen-related initiatives and referenda for which the vote was in opposition to a sportsmen’s agenda since 1910*

23

Total number of sportsmen-related ballot initiatives and referenda since 1990

47

Number of sportsmen-related initiatives and referenda for which the vote was in favor of sportsmen’s interests since 1990*

20

Number of sportsmen-related initiatives and referenda for which the vote was in opposition to sportsmen’s interests since 1990*

17

*Figures based only on initiatives and referenda identified as having been clearly in support of or opposition to sportsmen’s interests, as determined by available ballot measure summaries.

Strategies for Initiating, Controlling, and Countering Ballot Initiatives and

Referenda

Commit to Long-term Education

Develop Coalitions, Cooperation, and Partnering Efforts

Build Communications on a Solid Foundation of Research

Campaign Preparation (Issue-Specific Research)

Communications Specialization

Identify Target Markets

Identify Messages


Emerging Issues

Hunting over bait

Climate change

Hunting with dogs

High-fenced hunting

High-tech gear

Roadless areas

Sunday huntingResponsive Management

Chapter 10:The Future of Hunting and

Fishing in the United States / Recruitment and Retention

Programs


State Agency Hunter and Angler Programs Pertaining to Recruitment and Retention

(Example)

STATE GENERAL PROGRAMS YOUTH PROGRAMS

Alabama •Conservation EXPO, an annual exposition at a state park that includes shooting events

•development of additional shooting ranges

•Community Fishing Events (agency provides expertise, mentors, and tackle)

•Free Fishing Day

•Outdoor Ladies (agency provides instructors to this Alabama Treasure Forest Association program)

•youth hunts for dove, deer, turkey, waterfowl, and squirrel

•free youth fishing license

•Trailblazers (partnered with U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and Cub Scouts)

•classes for scouts


Elements of Successful Hunter and Angler Recruitment and Retention Programs Clearly Define Goals and Objectives

Set Achievable Goals and Have Realistic Expectations

Provide Adequate Funding and Staffing

Hire Coordinators

Publicize the Program

Foster a Hunting and Fishing Culture

Attempt to Replicate How Sportsmen Are Typically Initiated into the Activities

Provide Repeated Exposure

Tailor Programs to the Target Market

Use Partnerships

Train the Trainers

Hunting Safety

Evaluate Programs


Alabama Youth Dove Hunt

Follows the natural path of recruitment and retention Experiential Annual event Community event (enforces the hunting culture) Occurs in the open Starts with small game Can observe without participating



Documents

Presented at the NASC 5th Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit Friday, December 5, 2008 Mark Damian Duda Responsive Management The Sportsman’s Voice: Hunting