1. Understanding Hunters’ Responses to Chronic Wasting Disease: The Potential for Conflict Index Jerry J. Vaske Mark D. Needham Michael J. Manfredo Peter Newman Colorado State University Jordan Petchenik Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources

2. Application Context  CWD:  Transmissible fatal disease of deer & elk  Emaciation, loss of body functions, excessive salivation  Similar to Creutzfeldt-Jakob (humans), scrapie (sheep)  Not known to be transmissible to humans  Research:  ISSRM Conference (2004)  Special journal issue (Human Dimensions of Wildlife)

3. Management Goal: Eradicate entire wild deer herd within 4 miles of where CWD positive deer have been found

4. Methods  Mail survey of 2001 Wisconsin gun deer hunters  N = 1373 (67% response rate), cluster analysis:  Hunted deer in Wisconsin in 2002  Dropped out of deer hunt in Wisconsin in 2002 due to:  Strong CWD influence  Weak CWD influence  Data weighted to adjust over-sampling CWD area  Study assessed:  Behavioral intentions – CWD response (8 scenarios)  Support for non-lethal & lethal management actions

5. Scenario Example Scenario 7.For the approaching deer hunting season, wildlife managers know the following: CWD has been DETECTED in your deer management unit CWD certified USDA test is NOT AVAILABLE How likely or unlikely is it for you to take the following actions? Your action Very unlikely Somewhat unlikelyUnsure Somewhat likely Very likely Continue hunting in my unit in 2003 -2012 Continue to hunt, but switch to a new unit in Wisconsin in 2003 -2012 Give up deer hunting for 2003 deer season -2012

6. Traditional Display I will give up deer hunting for the 2003 deer season: Very unlikely Somewhat unlikely Unsure Somewhat likely Very likely Hunted in 2002 season 72 8 9 4 6 Hunter dropouts Weak CWD 47 12 24 7 10 Hunter dropouts CWD 24 14 17 5 39 Scenario 7 – Percentage distribution  I will give up deer hunting for the 2003 deer season

7. Traditional Display Acceptability ratings for Scenario 7  I will give up deer hunting for the 2003 deer season Descriptive statistics Mean Median Mode Standard deviation Variance Skewness Kurtosis Hunted in 2002 season -1.37 -2.00 1.19 1.41 1.78 1.94 Hunter dropouts Weak CWD -0.79 -2.00 1.37 1.87 0.75 -0.64 Hunter dropouts CWD 0.21 0.00 2.00 1.66 2.75 -0.14 -1.64

8. PCI and Means Your action Continue to hunt in same unit Hunt, but switch to a new unit Give up deer hunting for season Hunter dropouts Weak CWD PCIMean.60 0.27.24-0.80.25-0.79 Hunter dropouts CWD PCIMean.38-0.68.17-1.12.62 0.21 Hunted in 2002 season PCIMean.30 0.96.23-1.05.17-1.37 Means & PCI measures for Scenario 7

9. CWD not been detected in unit you hunt in USDA certified test for CWD is available Hunted in Hunter dropouts Hunter dropouts 2002 season Weak CWD CWD PCI – Situation 1 Very Likely Unsure Very Unlikely Action Likelihood Continue to hunt in same unit Hunt, but switch to a new unit Give up deer hunting for season

10. CWD detected in adjacent unit only USDA certified test for CWD not available PCI – Situation 3 Very Likely Unsure Very Unlikely Action Likelihood Continue to hunt in same unit Hunt, but switch to a new unit Give up deer hunting for season Hunted in Hunter dropouts Hunter dropouts 2002 season Weak CWD CWD

11. CWD has been detected in unit you hunt in USDA certified test for CWD not available PCI – Situation 7 Very Likely Unsure Very Unlikely Action Likelihood Continue to hunt in same unit Hunt, but switch to a new unit Give up deer hunting for season Hunted in Hunter dropouts Hunter dropouts 2002 season Weak CWD CWD

12. PCI – Lethal Actions Strongly Favor Unsure Strongly Oppose Action Support Reduce deer herd within 4 miles of where infected deer detected Reduce deer herd within 40 miles of where infected deer detected Eradicate entire herd within 4 miles of where infected deer detected Hunted in Hunter dropouts Hunter dropouts 2002 season Weak CWD CWD

13. PCI – Non-Lethal Actions Strongly Favor Unsure Strongly Oppose Action Support Do nothing to control CWD and let the disease take its natural course Monitor CWD and wait for complete test results before managing Hunted in Hunter dropouts Hunter dropouts 2002 season Weak CWD CWD

14. Results Summary  Did hunt in 2002 gun deer season:  Hunt in unit in 2003 irrespective of CWD, testing  Hunter dropouts:  Weak CWD influence:  Hunt in unit in 2003 if CWD not in unit, irrespective of testing  Divided on 2003 hunt if CWD in unit, testing unavailable  Strong CWD influence:  Hunt in unit in 2003 if CWD not in unit, testing available  Divided on 2003 hunt if CWD in adjacent unit  Stop hunting if CWD in unit, testing unavailable  All hunters:  Favored CWD monitoring & testing  Divided on lethal management (herd eradication)  Did not favor CWD taking its natural course (no mgmt)