![Page 1: By: James Crain, Iowa State University Rebecca Christoffel, Iowa State University Peter Fritzell Jr., Iowa Department of Natural Resources Chris Jennelle,](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062805/5697c01f1a28abf838cd1b17/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Private Property Access
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Over the past 5 years…
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Private Landowner Contacts
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Hunter Opinions of Landowner Perceptions
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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)
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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.
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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
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Hunter Behavior – Landowner Visits
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Hunter Behavior - Tenure
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Hunter Behavior – Time of Acquiring Access
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Hunter Behavior – Check-in Frequency
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Communication
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Overall Relationship
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Hunter Behavior Correlations
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DNR Education Program
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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
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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
http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/var/news/storage/images/kdwpt-info/news/weekly-news/11-28-13/landowner-permission-a-must-when-hunting-private-land/257671-1-eng-US/LANDOWNER-PERMISSION-A-MUST-WHEN-HUNTING-PRIVATE-LAND_frontimagecrop.jpg
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http://caryschmidt.com/2009/07/top-15-questions-christian-teens-ask/
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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.