Andrew Snella Shannon Donovan Chanda Meek. Awarded to Shannon Donovan and Chanda Meek in January...

Black Bear Management in Alaska: The Role of Perceptions, Policies

and Decision-Making

Andrew SnellaShannon Donovan

Chanda Meek

Awarded to Shannon Donovan and Chanda Meek in January 2011.

Supports work until June 30, 2011.

The purpose of our study is to better understand public perceptions regarding black bear management as well as the policy context within which decisions are made. We are conducting a social assessment and policy review of black bear management.

EPSCoR Faculty Integrative Grant

Food Source

Predator

Hunted trophy species

Wildlife viewing opportunity

Tourist attraction

Black Bears(Ursus Americanus)

Affects highly desired food sources◦ Moose◦ Young calves◦ Caribou

1994 Intensive Management law which requires active management actions to boost populations of game vulnerable to decline in identified game management units

Role as a Predator

There have been many attempts to understand how predator control may affect prey species, however the social context of predator control in Alaska and its feedbacks to policy change is poorly understood.

Extensive debate regarding the state of Alaska’s management practices and whether or not there is adequate baseline data and monitoring to justify lethal predator control measures.

Why study is needed/problem?

The National Research Council (1997) developed a set of 16 conclusions and recommendations for dealing with the complex social and biological challenges associated with managing predator-prey dynamics in Alaska.

Why study is needed/problem?Cont.

Conduct archival research of relevant literature

Review a sample of available transcripts from public meetings

Conduct phone interviews with key stakeholders

Perform an institutional analysis of black bear management

Research Design

Three undergraduate UAA research assistants have helped:

Conduct archival research of relevant literature

Review a sample of available transcripts from public meetings

Draft interview scripts

What we’ve done

Complex issue◦ “As a hunting and fishing organization the strives

to promote fair chase hunting practices and principles… we urge the Board to reconsider passage of this new bear Policy.” –Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

Public Safety

Postponed black bear snaring decision until 2012

Preliminary Findings

Shannon and UAA undergraduate research assistants will conduct interviews with select key stakeholders.

Chanda and a UAF graduate student will perform an institutional analysis of black bear management.

Where we are headed (by June 30th)

AK Board of Game Process – Institutional Analysis

Q: How and when do actors influence decision-making?

Research In progress….

Systematic review of BOG predator control decisions since 1994.

Build an institutional map, document information flows.

Analyze and follow up on the Boertje et al. article.

Dovetail our results into larger, interdisciplinary projects.

Where we’re headed (Long Term)

We plan to submit grant proposals to the Wilburforce Foundation and the National Science Foundation Arctic Social Sciences ◦ Develop and implement a statewide survey to

assess public perceptions on black bear management policies and decision-making

Where we’re headed (Long Term) cont.

We are collaborating with other researchers from UAA and UAF to develop a proposal for the NSF Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems ◦ Expand the project scope to assess social and

ecological dynamics of predator-prey management strategies in the state

Where we’re headed (Long Term) cont.

For more information contact:

Shannon Donovanafsmd@uaa.alaska.edu; 907-830-4062

Chanda Meekclmeek@alaska.edu; 907-474-5115

Question?