By: James Crain, Iowa State University Rebecca Christoffel, Iowa State University Peter Fritzell...

EVALUATING HUNTER – LANDOWNER RELATIONS IN IOWA: THE HUNTER

RESPONSE

By:

James Crain, Iowa State University

Rebecca Christoffel, Iowa State University

Peter Fritzell Jr., Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Chris Jennelle, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

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Objectives:

Identify the condition of hunter-landowner relations in Iowa

Identify hunter opinions of:○ private landowners○ themselves○ other hunters

Determine if a need exists for supplemental education to enhance relationship building

Background Declines in Hunter Numbers

Noticeable throughout the United States Wildlife Agencies Depend on funds

License SalesExcise TaxesHunters contribute more per capita to wildlife

conservation than non-hunters and general public

Less effective wildlife management Declines have prompted research on Hunter

Recruitment and Retention (HRR)

Why Less Hunters? Determined by many influences: lack of time,

family responsibilities, work, lack of places to hunt, etc.

Lack of accessible hunting land is one influence that wildlife agencies have focused on

Walk-in Hunting programs Programs vary by state

Size Type of land Benefits to landowners Hunter Requirements

IHAP launched in 2011 Stipulation -Do more to address hunter behavior

www.iowadnr.gov

What About Private Land? A USFWS study reported that 82% of hunters hunt on

private land, at one time or another Private landowners have become more reluctant to allow

huntingMany diverse reasons

Landowners more concerned with hunting on their property than any other recreational activity

5 major reasons for not allowing accessOpinions about usersUser intentionsFinancial IncentivesLandowner Attitudes about activitiesLiability

Iowa Number of hunters have steadily decreased over the last

decade As of 2010, Iowa ranked 49th out of 50 states for land open to

public hunting Hunters in Iowa depend on preferred private land access. In 2004, an IDNR study showed that 37% of respondents lost

access to private property previously hunted37% lost hunting days as a result

Private landowners typically grant access to people they know best; friends and family

Prior studies indicate that a need exists for relationship building for hunters and landowners.Improvements in relations may help to improve HHR

Methods Mail Survey (2-sections)

Likert Scales and Open Ended QuestionsCognitive Interviews

Modified Dillman Tailored Design Method June – August 2014Two Mailings, Reminder Card

2 SamplesStratified Random Sample of Iowa Resident Hunters

○ Further stratified by region (9) and type of hunting performed in 2013.

Known population of Iowa Habitat and Access Program Hunters

Abby Flexicapture, IBM SPSS Statistics v.22

Hunters were asked about…

Hunter Opinions of○ Other Hunters○ Themselves○ Private Landowners

Their Hunting Behaviors○ Acquiring Access○ Communication

Overall RelationshipsNeed for DNR

Supplemental Education

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ResultsResults without strata and mailing weights1833 respondents, n = 5327

○ 34% response rate○ Over 14,000 pages of data

47% of hunters indicated they had lost access to private land they hunted in the past.○ Sale of land○ Family began hunting○ Landowner leased hunting rights

Private Property Access

Over the past 5 years…

Private Landowner Contacts

Hunter Opinions of Landowner Perceptions

Healthy Relationship Evaluation of hunter

experiences while attempting to gain access on private land in Iowa

Hunters were asked to evaluate: Their own behavior Their experience with

private landowners Group of questions

that resemble what a healthy LO and hunter relationship requires

6 components to a healthy relationship Listening Positive Attitude Compromise Forthcoming with

expectations Appreciation Offering to work for

access Hunters rated each

component of a healthy relationship on a scale (1-7)

Relationship QuestionsLandowner Component Questions Hunter Component Questions

Private landowners carefully listen to me. I carefully listen to private landowners’ directions and concerns.

Private landowners address me in a positive manner.

I approach private landowners in a positive manner.

Private landowners are forthcoming with expectations / rules for hunting their property.

I follow the rules established by private landowners.

Private landowners are willing to make compromises.

I am willing to compromise with private landowners in order to obtain hunting access.

Private landowners appreciate my asking permission before hunting.

I appreciate private landowners’ willingness to allow me to hunt.

Private landowners will allow me to hunt if I offer to do chores. I offer to do chores in exchange for hunting access.

Hunter – Landowner Relationship Score Comparison

Group Mean St DevSum of Hunter Relationship Components 34.73 7.825

Sum of Landowner Relationship Components 26.51 7.477

ANOVA Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.Between Groups 32054.478 25 1282.179 34.246 0.000Within Groups 62150.962 1660 37.44

Total 92405.441 1685

Hunter Behavior – Landowner Visits

Hunter Behavior - Tenure

Hunter Behavior – Time of Acquiring Access

Hunter Behavior – Check-in Frequency

Communication

Overall Relationship

Hunter Behavior Correlations

DNR Education Program

Take-Home Messages Iowa hunters generally

have positive relationships with private landowners

Iowa Hunters put effort into obtaining PL access

Room For Improvement?

Support for supplemental education program

http://www.hunter-ed.com/alaska/studyGuide/The-Hunters-Image-Matters/201001_700049376

What’s Next Strata weighting

Regional Analysis Quantitative study to

elicit opinions of private landowners in Iowa

Develop a possible education module and present to IDNR

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http://caryschmidt.com/2009/07/top-15-questions-christian-teens-ask/

Acknowledgements

A special thank you to Rebecca Christoffel, Peter Fritzell, and Chris Jennelle for their guidance and expertise.

This project is co-funded by the Iowa DNR and Iowa State University.

Thank you to all respondents for their time and willingness to participate in this study.