The Identification, Life History, and Habitat Requirements of the Wildlife Viewer 2002 Mark Damian Duda Responsive Management October 2002

The Identification, Life History, and Habitat Requirements of the Wildlife

Viewer 2002

Mark Damian Duda

Responsive Management

October 2002

Overview of Presentation

Wildlife Values of the U.S. Public:

• Where does wildlife viewing fall on the spectrum of wildlife values among the public?

Wildlife Values of Fish and Wildlife Agency Employees:

• Where does wildlife viewing fall on the spectrum of importance among fish and wildlife agency employees?

Trends in Wildlife Viewing:

• What are the trends in wildlife viewing participation?

Latent Demand for Wildlife Viewing:

• Is there a latent demand for wildlife viewing?

Demand for Wildlife Viewing Information:

• Does the public want information about wildlife viewing?

Overview of Presentation, Cont.

Wildlife Viewing Markets:

• Is there such a thing as a “General Wildlife Viewer?”

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Environmental Issues:

• Are wildlife viewers more conservation/environmentally oriented?

Wildlife Values of Wildlife Viewers:

• What kinds of wildlife values do wildlife viewers hold?

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Agency Program Areas:

• What fish and wildlife agency programs do wildlife viewers support?

Wildlife Viewer Donations to Wildlife Organizations:

• How much money do wildlife viewers donate?

Overview of Presentation, Cont.

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Agency Funding:

• Do wildlife viewers support increased funding for fish and wildlife agencies?

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Hunting:

• Are wildlife viewers more likely to oppose hunting?

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Wildlife Viewing:

• What do wildlife viewers want?

Nongame/Nonconsumptive and Species Preference of Wildlife Viewers:

• What species do wildlife viewers watch?

Recreational Interference and Wildlife Viewing:

• Is there a conflict in the field?

Wildlife Values of the U.S. Public:Where does wildlife viewing fall on the spectrum of wildlife values among the

public?

Percent of Virginia residents who reported each value as being very important.

26

33

47

48

49

51

56

58

0 20 40 60 80 100

Wildlife doesn't interfere with otheractivities

People have the opportunity to HUNT

People have the opportunity to BOAT

People have the opportunity to FISH

To have wildlife around your home

People have the opportunity to viewwildlife

Wildlife exists in VA

F&W populations are properly managed

Percent (n=806)

Percent of Texas residents who reported each value as being very important.

93

80

79

77

74

73

72

69

69

66

62

45

0 20 40 60 80 100

Water resources safe & well protected

Wildlife exists in Texas

Natural areas for enjoying/experiencing nature

Historic sites protected & preserved

Opportunity to view wildlife

Fish & wildlife properly managed/conserved

Opportunity to visit state parks

Ecologically important habitats protected/preserved

Opportunity to fish

Opportunity to visit historically significant sites

Opportunity to boat

Opportunity to hunt

Percent (n=2002)

Percent of Georgia residents who reported each value as being very important.

38

56

69

74

77

81

82

83

0 20 40 60 80 100

Being sure that wildlife does not interferewith your other activities

Knowing that people have the opportunityto hunt in Georgia

Knowing that people have the opportunityto boat in Georgia

Knowing that you have wildlife around yourhome

Knowing that people have the opportunityto fish in Georgia

Knowing that people have the opportunityto view wildlife in Georgia

Knowing that wildlife exists in Georgia

Knowing that fish and wildlife are properlycared for in Georgia

Percent (n=904)

Percent of Idaho residents who said that the Idaho Department of Fish and Game should spend more time

and money on each area.65

54

53

50

47

46

45

44

41

38

35

30

25

0 20 40 60 80 100

Protect water resources

Inform & educate public

Manage fisheries

Manage game for fishing

Manage habitat

Manage impacts of growth/development

Manage & conserve T & E species

Enforce fish & wildlife laws

Conduct research

Manage for increased wildl. viewing

Manage game for hunting

Manage wildlife resources

Provide facilities & info. for wildl. Viewing

Percent

Is providing wildlife viewing opportunties an important or unimportant function of the Fish & Boat and Game

Commissions?

1

6

2

22

68

0 20 40 60 80 100

Veryunimportant

Somewhatunimportant

Neither/Don’tknow

Somewhatimportant

Very important

Percent of Pennsylvania Residents (n=1007)

Wildlife Values of Fish and Wildlife Agency Employees:

Where does wildlife viewing fall on the spectrum of importance among fish and

wildlife agency employees?

Percent of VA Game and Inland Fisheries employees that stated that the VDGIF should spend much more

time and money on each program

12

27

0 20 40 60 80 100

Providing WildlifeViewing

Opportunities

Providing HuntingOpportunities

Percent

12

51

67

79

84

84

85

90

0 20 40 60 80 100

Being sure that wildlife does not interfere with yourother activities

Knowing that people have the opportunity to viewwildlife in Georgia

Knowing that people have the opportunity to boatin Georgia

Knowing that you have wildlife around your home

Knowing that fish and wildlife are properly caredfor in Georgia

Knowing that people have the opportunity to fishin Georgia

Knowing that people have the opportunity to huntin Georgia


Percent (n=353)

Importance of fish and wildlife-related issues: percent of Georgia Wildlife Resources Division employees saying the

following are very important

Importance of fish and wildlife-related issues: percent saying the following are very important

(ranked by employees' responses)

11

64

51

81

88

68

70

94

12

51

67

79

84

84

85

90

38

81

69

74

83

77

56

82

0 20 40 60 80 100

Being sure that wildlife does not interfere withyour other activities

Knowing that people have the opportunity toview wildlife in Georgia

Knowing that people have the opportunity toboat in Georgia

Knowing that you have wildlife around yourhome

Knowing that fish and wildlife are properly caredfor in Georgia

Knowing that people have the opportunity to fishin Georgia

Knowing that people have the opportunity tohunt in Georgia


Percent

GeneralPopulation(n=904)Employees(n=353)

Stakeholders(n=81)

Trends in Wildlife Viewing:What are the trends in wildlife viewing

participation?

Change in number of Americans whoparticipate in birdwatching

(In millions)

21.2

54.1

70.3

0

20

40

60

80

100

1982-83 1994-95 2000-01

YearsSource: NSRE 2001

Nu

mb

er

of

Pe

op

le

Change in percentage of Americans who participate in birdwatching

12

2733

0

20

40

60

80

100

1982-83 1994-95 2000-01

YearsSource: NSRE 2001

Pe

rce

nt

Number of wildlife-watching participants in the U.S.(In millions)

76.1

62.966.1

0

20

40

60

80

100

1991 1996 2001

YearSource: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting,

and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

Nu

mb

er

of

Pe

op

le

1991-2001 percent change

Wildlife watching, total……………………………… -13

Residential………………………………………… -15

Observe wildlife…………………………………… -23

Photograph wildlife……………………………….. -18

Feed wild birds or other wildlife………………….. -17

Visit public parks or areas………………………… -29

Maintain plantings or natural areas……………….. -4*

Nonresidential…………………………………….. -27

Observe wildlife………………………………….. -30

Photograph wildlife………………………………. -34

Feed wildlife……………………………………… -47

1991-2001 Wildlife Watching Participants(U.S. population 16 years and older. Numbers in thousands.)

*Not different from zero at the 5 percent level. Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

Percent of Americans who have participated in wildlife viewing

1815

10

1416 15 16

20

0

10

20

30

40

50

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

YearSource: The Recreation Roundtable 2000

Pe

rce

nt

Percent of Americans who have participated in bird watching

1411

811 10 11

16

0

10

20

30

40

50

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

YearSource: The Recreation Roundtable 2000

Pe

rce

nt

Arizona Residents' Wildlife Participation in "Passive" Activities

84

43

73

83

4339

80

3834

81

3733

86

55

42

0

20

40

60

80

100

Indirect enjoyment (e.g.,television, books, zoos)

Special interest in wildlifeat home

Watch/feed/photographwildlife away from home

Per

cen

t

1992 Study 1994 Study 1996 Study 1998 Study 2000 Study

Arizona Residents' Wildlife Participation in "Active" Activities

46

31 30

14

45

27 26

13

44

26 24

12

35

26 25

9

45

2530

10

0

20

40

60

80

100

Off-highwaydriving

Fishing Boating Hunting

Pe

rce

nt

1992 Study 1994 Study 1996 Study 1998 Study 2000 Study

Latent Demand for Wildlife Viewing:Is there a latent demand for wildlife

viewing?

Total interest in various activities: percent of Georgia residents who did not participate but expressed interest in

participating in the following activities

12

25

28

29

32

35

0 20 40 60 80 100

Hunting

Freshwater fishing

View wildlife aroundhome

Saltwater fishing

Boating/jetskiing

Trip to view wildlife

Percent (n=904)

Percent of Virginia residents that reported interest in going hunting/fishing/taking a trip to view wildlife in

Virginia.

52

47

88

11

63

37

0 20 40 60 80 100

No

Yes

Percent

Fishing (n=498)

Hunting (n=703)

Viewing (n=641)

Percent of non-participants in Texas that reported being very interested in participating in each of the following

activities

14

17

20

21

22

24

26

27

28

33

37

0 20 40 60 80 100

Canoeing or kayaking (n=763)

Freshwater fishing (n=503)

Boating (Motorboat) (n=568)

Camping (n=594)

Viewing or enjoying wildlife around home (n=357)

Taking a trip away from home to view wildlife (n=537)

Visiting a nature center (n=607)

Picnicking (n=450)

Visiting historic sites (n=479)

Visiting a park or natural area within 1 mile of home (n=530)

Visiting state parks (n=540)

Percent

Percent of non-participants in Texas that reported being very interested in participating in each of the following

activities (continued)

6

9

9

10

10

11

12

12

13

13

14

0 20 40 60 80 100

Rock climbing (n=774)

Hunting (n=680)

Mountain biking (n=768)

Playing ball sports (n=565)

Target or sport shooting (n=700)

Biking (n=647)

Jet skiing or waverunner (n=713)

Swimming in natural waters (n=495)

Hiking (n=655)

Sailing (n=780)

Saltwater fishing (n=503)

Percent

Demand for Wildlife Viewing Information:

Does the public want information about wildlife viewing?

Percent of Delaware residents that reported interest in the following topics

1

44

53

66

69

71

73

74

76

0 20 40 60 80 100

None of these

Managing farms/forests for wildlife

Creating a backyard habitat

Dealing with nuisance wildlife

Info. about hunting and fishing

How to be active with local groups

How to view wildlife

What to do w/injured wildlife

Places to view wildlife

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

onse

s A

llow

ed

Percent (n=233)

Percent of Virginia residents that reported interest in the following topics

28

30

40

43

45

54

55

57

58

0 20 40 60 80 100

Information about hunting

Managing farms and forests for wildlife

Information on boating

How to become active with local wildlifeconservation

Information about fishing

Enjoying wildlife around your home

Dealing with nuisance wildlife

What to do with injured wildlife

Information about wildlife viewing

Mu

ltip

le R

es

po

ns

es

Allo

we

d

Percent (n = 806)

Wildlife Viewing Markets:Is there such a thing as a “General

Wildlife Viewer?”

Is there such a thing as a “General Wildlife Viewer?”

• “Birder”• Birdwatcher• Wildlife Viewer• Wildlife Watcher• Primary Residential Wildlife Viewer• Primary Nonresidential Wildlife Viewer• Secondary Residential Wildlife Viewer• Secondary Nonresidential Wildlife Viewer• Ability to Identify a Specified Number of Birds

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Environmental Issues:

Are wildlife viewers more conservation/environmentally oriented?

Attitudes toward Environmental Issues, as Measured by the Following Questions:

• Would you say there are too many, about the right amount or too few wetlands in North America?

• Do you think it is important or unimportant to conserve waterfowl populations?

• Do you think it is important or unimportant to protect and conserve wetlands?

Attitudes toward Environmental Issues, Continued.

• Residential wildlife viewers are significantly more likely to think that there are too few wetlands in North America.

• Wildlife viewing trip takers are significantly more likely to think there are too few wetlands in North America.

• Residential wildlife viewers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to conserve waterfowl populations.

• Wildlife viewing trip takers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to conserve waterfowl populations.

Attitudes toward Environmental Issues, Continued.

• Birdwatchers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to conserve waterfowl populations.

• Residential wildlife viewers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to protect and conserve wetlands.

• Wildlife viewing trip takers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to protect and conserve wetlands.

• Birdwatchers are significantly more likely to think that it is important to protect and conserve wetlands.

Wildlife Values of Wildlife Viewers:What kinds of wildlife values do wildlife

viewers hold?

Texas residential wildlife viewers, wildlife viewing trip takers, and birdwatchers are all significantly

higher in their support/importance ratings for knowing that (exceptions noted):

• Wildlife exists• Fish and wildlife populations are being properly managed• People have the opportunity to fish• People have the opportunity to hunt• People have the opportunity to boat• People have the opportunity to view wildlife• Ecologically important habitats and lands are being protected and preserved• Natural areas exist in Texas for enjoying and experiencing nature• Historic sites are protected and preserved• Water resources are safe and well protected (unrelated to nonresidential

wildlife viewing)• People have the opportunity to visit historically significant sites

(significantly lower for nonresidential wildlife viewers)

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Agency Program Areas:

What fish and wildlife agency programs do wildlife viewers support?

Percent of wildlife viewing trip takers in Georgia that felt each program area was extremely

important for the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division

35

35

29

28

26

25

0 20 40 60 80 100

Enforcement

Education

Resource management

Outreach and communication

Land acquisition

Recreation

Percent

Wildlife Viewer Donations to Wildlife Organizations:

How much money do wildlife viewers donate?

How much money would you say you donate, per year, to conservation or wildlife-related

causes or organizations?

$15.01

$17.08

$17.13

$44.08

$49.39

$50.39

$31.89

$0.00 $10.00 $20.00 $30.00 $40.00 $50.00 $60.00

Birdwatcher (n=444)

Wildlife viewer around home (n=491)

Wildlife viewing trip taker (n=548)

Not Birdwatcher (n=556)

Not Wildlife viewing trip taker (n=452)

Not Wildlife viewer around home (n=509)

Total (n=1000)

Mean Dollars

Percent of Vermont residents that donated to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's

NONGAME WILDLIFE FUND in the last 2 years

16

84

31

69

0 20 40 60 80 100

Did not donateto Fund

Donated toFund

Percent

Did not take a specialinterest in wildlife aroundhome (n=202)

Took a special interest inwildlife around home(n=803)

Percent of Vermont residents that donated to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's

NONGAME WILDLIFE FUND in the last 2 years

18

82

35

65

0 20 40 60 80 100

Did not donateto Fund

Donated toFund

Did not take trip (n=422)

Took trip (n=583)

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Agency Funding:

Do wildlife viewers support increased funding for fish and wildlife agencies?

Percent of Vermont residents that support various funding mechanisms

Part 1

51

37

40

36

67

54

54

50

0 20 40 60 80 100

Q24. Do you support or oppose the Departmentcontinuing to receive this portion of the Rooms

and Meals tax?

Q35. Would you support or oppose theDepartment receiving general fund dollars forprograms and activities in which it participates

but does not receive funding?

Q36. Would you support or opposeredistributing a portion of the current state

sales tax so that the Fish and WildlifeDepartment would receive 1/8 of 1% of the

EXISTING sales tax?

Q29. Would you support or oppose chargingdevelopers a fee for these evaluations to

expand Department programs?

Percent

Did not take a specialinterest in wildlifearound home

Took a special interestin wildlife around home


Part 2

21

34

36

40

31

30

39

47

0 20 40 60 80 100

Q28. Would you support or oppose theDepartment receiving a small percentage of the

CURRENT sales tax that is received fromcertain outdoor recreation items?

Q25. Would you support or oppose requiringpeople to buy an annual "Boating Access AreaPermit" as a way for the Department to expand

current Department programs?

Q31. Would you support or oppose raisingfishing license fees to expand Department

FISHING PROGRAMS?

Q26. Would you support or oppose raisinghunting license fees to expand Department

HUNTING PROGRAMS?

Percent

Did not take a specialinterest in wildlife aroundhome

Took a special interest inwildlife around home


Part 3

16

28

31

25

25

26

26

29

0 20 40 60 80 100

Q27. Would you support or oppose raisinghunting license fees to expand DEPARTMENT

PROGRAMS OVERALL?

Q33. Would you support or oppose requiringpeople to buy an annual "Wildlife Management

Area conservation Use Permit" as a way toexpand Department programs?

Q32. Would you support or oppose raisingfishing license fees to expand DEPARTMENT

PROGRAMS OVERALL?

Q34. Would you support or oppose a 1/8 of 1%INCREASE in the STATE GENERAL SALES TAX

to expand Department programs?

Percent

Did not take a specialinterest in wildlifearound home

Took a special interest inwildlife around home

Would you support or oppose more TPW funding to…

• Provide additional access to outdoor recreation opportunities?

• Preserve more historic sites?

• Enhance efforts for managing and conserving fish and wildlife populations?

• Buy additional land for conservation of natural resources and outdoor recreation use?

*Residential wildlife viewers, wildlife viewing trip takers, and birdwatchers are all significantly higher in their support for funding for these programs.

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Hunting:

Are wildlife viewers more likely to oppose hunting?

Attitudes toward Hunting, Measured by the Following Question:

In general, do you approve or disapprove of hunting?(Asked of U.S. residents, 18 years of age or older)

• Residential wildlife viewers are significantly more likely to approve of hunting.

• Wildlife viewing trip takers are not more likely to approve/disapprove of hunting.

• Birdwatchers are not more likely to approve/disapprove of hunting.

Wildlife Viewer Attitudes toward Wildlife Viewing:

What do wildlife viewers want?

Most important reasons cited by nonresidential wildlife viewers for taking wildlife viewing trips in

Virginia in the past five years

1

2

2

3

3

4

9

12

14

22

22

39

0 20 40 60 80 100

None of these reasons

To use special equipment

To be alone

To get exercise and fresh air

To see unusual or rare species

For spiritual reasons

To get away from it all

Other reasons

To learn more about nature

For relaxation

To be with friends and family

To observe beauty in nature

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed

Percent (n = 157)(Regional data averaged for statewide representation)

Percent of nonresidential wildlife viewers that usually bring the following items when taking a

wildlife viewing trip in Virginia

3

5

24

29

31

62

0 20 40 60 80 100

Night visiongoggles

A spotting scope

None of these items

An identificationguide

Food to feed wildanimals

A pair of binoculars

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed


Percent of nonresidential wildlife viewers that reported the following items would strongly add to

enjoyment at wildlife viewing areas in Virginia

22

26

29

37

38

38

41

41

52

62

63

0 20 40 60 80 100

Visitor or nature centers

Guided tours

Picnic grounds

Boardwalks through wetlands

Wildlife viewing areas in wild areas

Self-guided tours

Viewing blinds and observation towers

Restrooms

Outdoor educational displays

Printed materials

Nature trails


Nongame/Nonconsumptive and Species Preference of Wildlife

Viewers:What species do wildlife viewers watch?

Percent of nonresidential wildlife viewers that reported taking a trip to view each species in the

past two years in Virginia

8

23

26

34

35

36

44

47

49

60

62

69

0 20 40 60 80 100

None of these / Don't know

Other animals

Reptiles or amphibians

Shore birds

Black bear

Butterflies

Fish

Wild turkey

Songbirds

Hawks, owls or eagles

Ducks or geese

White-tailed deer

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

All

ow

ed


Recreational Interference and Wildlife Viewing:

Is there a conflict in the field?

Percent of nonresidential wildlife viewers that reported interference with the following

recreationists while talking wildlife viewing trips in Virginia

1111111333

780

0 20 40 60 80 100

SwimmersCampers

Mountain bikersAnglersHunters

Jet skiersBoaters, excluding jet skiers

HikersPeople four-wheelingOther wildlife viewers

OtherNo: no interference

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed


Do you agree or disagree that a lot of wildlife viewers violate wildlife laws or practice unethical

behavior while viewing wildlife?(Percent of nonresidential wildlife viewers)

10

13

15

24

38

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly disagree

Somewhat disagree

Neutral / Don't know

Somewhat agree

Strongly agree


Q62. What types of laws or unethical behavior do wildlife viewers violate most often?

(Percent of nonresidential wildlife viewers)

15

17

17

19

21

27

29

0 20 40 60 80 100

Other

Interrupting animals' normal behavior

Scaring animals

Pollution

Trampling habitats

Feeding animals

Getting too close to wildlife

Mu

ltip

le R

esp

on

ses

Allo

wed


Would you support or oppose the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries increasing efforts to teach wildlife viewers

appropriate wildlife viewing behavior?(Percent of nonresidential wildlife viewers)

2

1

3

23

71

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly oppose

Somewhat oppose

Neutral / Don'tknow

Somewhat support

Strongly support


Documents

The Identification, Life History, and Habitat Requirements of the Wildlife Viewer 2002 Mark Damian Duda Responsive Management October 2002