participation and attitudes about hunting public opinion surveys (duda, 2001) sally williams...

Participation and Attitudes About Hunting

Public Opinion Surveys (Duda, 2001)

Sally Williams

Consumer Research Planner

Marketing Services Branch

December 2002

Research Sources

General Population Survey

• Telephone survey of Texas residents age 18 and above:

• 2,002 respondents

• Data were weighted by the seven travel and tourism regions to represent the relative populations of these regions.

Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey

• Telephone survey of Texas residents age 18 and above:

• 801 respondents

• 113 outdoor recreationists who hunt

• Survey targeted general population of those who participated in outdoor recreation as well as those who did not participate, but expressed an interest in participating in outdoor recreation activities.

Research Sources

Hunter Survey

• Telephone survey of licensed resident hunters who had purchased a hunting license for the 1999/2000 hunting season:

• 809 respondents

• Super Combo, Combo, Resident Hunting, and Special Resident Hunting license holders were interviewed.

• Data were weighted by type of hunting license to represent the relative populations of these license types.

Research Sources

Landowner Survey

• Telephone survey of Texas landowners who owned 640 or more acres:

• 563 respondents

• Landowners were identified using county property tax records.

• Surveys were conducted in all seven travel regions in the counties that agreed to participate in supplying sample.

Overview

• Demographics of Hunters

• Participation in Hunting

• Satisfaction with Hunting

• Knowledge and Satisfaction with TPWD

• TPWD Regulations

• TPWD Game Wardens

• Interest in Information

• TPWD Funding

• Landowners and Hunting

• Attitudes and Interest in Hunting Among Non-Hunters

• General Population’s Attitudes Toward Hunting

• Conclusions and Implications

Demographics of Hunters

60

4240 40

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Land Owners Boaters Hunters All Anglers

Hunters have lived in Texas for many years.

• One-half of hunters have lived for at least 40 years in Texas.

Median Number of Years *

Source: Duda, 2001

* The median is the midpoint of the distribution. Half the number are below the median; half are above it.

About a third of hunters live in large city or suburban areas.

• One third of hunters live in small cities and one third in rural or farm areas.

HuntersAll

Anglers Boaters

Park day

users

Park overnight

usersLand

owners

Large city or urban area 24% 31% 21% 29% 32% 20%Suburban area 14% 17% 21% 15% 22% 5%Small city or town 33% 31% 31% 33% 27% 34%Rural area 19% 14% 20% 18% 15% 13%Farm or ranch 10% 6% 6% 6% 5% 29%

Source: Duda, 2001Comparable US Census data not available for Texas for this question.

Location of residence

Location of Residence of 2001 Hunting License Holders

• About 70% of hunters live in Metropolitan Statistical Areas, whereas 85% of the general population of Texas lives in these urban areas.

Sources: TPWD License Point of Sale data, 2001 License Year for license types: Super Combo, Combination Hunting/Fishing, and Resident Hunting licenses; 2000 US Census Count, TAMU, State Data Center.

85%70%Urban areas within MSA’s

26%23%Other MSA’s

15%30%Rural areas outside MSA’s

6%6%Austin-San Marcos

8%7%San Antonio

8%6%Fort Worth-Arlington

17%12%Dallas

20%16%Houston

% of Texas population

% of HuntersMetropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Hunters’ level of education is slightly higher than that of the general population.

• Hunters are more likely than the general population of Texas to have a college degree.

• Boaters and anglers are the most likely of all groups to have undergraduate or graduate degrees.

Hunters

Texas Population, US Census Boaters All Anglers

Grades 1-12, no diploma 16% 23% 7% 6%High school graduate 29% 26% 32% 29%Some college or trade school 24% 27% 20% 25%College graduate 23% 16% 27% 30%

Graduate or professional degree 9% 7% 15% 10%

Source: Duda, 2001, and US Census, 2000.

Hunters have substantially higher incomes than the general population.

• 11% of the general population of Texas have incomes of $100,000 or more whereas 18% of hunters report that level of income.

Hunters BoatersAll

AnglersLess than $20,000 7% 4% 3%$20,000-$39,999 23% 14% 16%$40,000-$59,999 25% 24% 26%$60,000-$99,999 29% 32% 32%$100,000 or more 18% 26% 22%


Resident Hunting License holders are younger than Combo and Super Combo

holders.

40

Texas Population, US Census (adults)

41

Total Adult Resident Hunting Licenses (age 17 and above) **

37Resident Hunting

41Super Combo

42Combo

Median age *License Type

Source: TPWD License Point of Sale data, 2001, and US Census, 2000.

* The median is the midpoint of the distribution. Half the ages are below the median; half are above it.

** Includes adult-only hunting license types: Combo, Super Combo, Resident Hunting, Senior Combo, and Senior Super Combo.

The majority of hunters are non-Hispanic and white.

3%7%Other

11%1%African-American

32%7%Hispanic

53%85%White/Non-Hispanic

Texas Population, US Census

Hunters

Source: Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001, and US Census, 2000.

Hunters are overwhelmingly male.

Source: Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001, and US Census, 2000.

51%7%Female

49%93%Male

Texas Population, US Census

Hunters

Participation in Hunting

Hunting is one of the least participated in outdoor recreation activities among the general

population of Texas.

Sources: Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey, 2001

Participated at least once in the last 12 months

Picnicking 45%

Visit Historical Sites 41%

Swimming in Natural Waters (lakes, streams, gulf, bay) 39%

Fishing 38%

Trips or outings to view wildlife 34%

Visit a State Park 33%

Motorboating (excluding jet skis) 30%

Camping 27%

Biking 20%

Hunting 16%

Jetskiing 12%

Canoeing or kayaking 6%

The number of Texas hunters has increased over the past 10 years, but not enough to keep

pace with the population growth.

Sources: USFWS, National Survey on Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 1991, 1996, 2001 (hunters age 16 and above) and US Census, 1990 and 2000.

Participated at least once during the year

Texas Participation 16+ (in millions) 2001 1996 1991

% change 1991-2001

Hunting 1.20 0.91 1.06 13%

Texas Population age 16+ (in millions) 2000 1990

% change 1990-2000

US Census 15.6 12.7 23%

The majority of outdoor recreationists who hunt view it as a primary outdoor recreation

activity.• The survey asked outdoor recreation participants for the top two activities

they participate in.

Outdoor recreationists participating in the activity

Percent of participants who consider the activity one of

their top 2

Fishing 66%

Hunting 56%

Camping 37%

Motorboating (excluding jet skis) 30%

Jetskiing 17%

Visit State Park 15%

Swimming in Natural Waters (lakes, streams, gulf, bay) 13%

Visit Historical Sites 10%

Trips or outings to view wildlife 9%

Source: Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey, 2001

White-tailed deer and dove are the most popular species with Texas hunters.

White-tailed deer 77%

Mourning dove/White-winged dove

38%

Quail 11%

Feral hog 9%

Ducks 7%

Mule deer 5%

Rio Grande turkey 5%

Top 2 species hunted in the last 2 years

Squirrel 4%

Eastern turkey 3%

Pheasant 2%

Geese 2%

Rabbit/hare 1%

Other 2%

Source: Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001

20

15

12

5 5

14

0

5

10

15

20

25

Boaters Saltwateranglers

Freshwateranglers

Hunters Park dayusers

Parkovernight

users

Median Number of Days Participated in Last 12 Months

Hunters are some of the most avid participants. • Hunters participate with similar frequency to anglers, less often than boaters,

and more often than state park visitors.

Source: Duda, 2001Details in Appendix.

20 20

15 15

10

1414

19

0

5

10

15

20

25

RioGrandeturkey

Squirrel Feral hog White-taileddeer

Quail Dove Duck Mule deer

Median Number of Days Participated in Last 12 Months

Rio Grande turkey and squirrel hunters participated the most frequently.

Source: Duda, 2001

Species in the top two species hunted in the last 2 years.

Note: Some species not reported due to small sample sizes.

89%

80%

69%

77%

66%

85%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Freshwateranglers

Saltwater anglers Boaters Hunters Park overnightusers

Park day users

Participated every year in last five years

Over three-quarters of hunters participate in hunting every year.

• Anglers and boaters are the most consistent participants


89%

82%79% 79%

75%

80% 79%

88%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Mule deer Rio Grandeturkey

Quail Feral hog White-taileddeer

Dove Squirrel Duck

Participated every year in last five years

Mule deer and Rio Grande turkey hunters are the most consistent hunters.

Source: Duda, 2001



80%

20%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Day and Overnight Trips Day Trips Only

Most hunters take both day and overnight hunting trips.


Overnight Trips:Hunters travel farther for overnight trips.

• Over 60% of hunters traveled more than 2 hours one-way for their overnight trips.

• Freshwater anglers were more likely to stay close to home, with almost half traveling less than two hours.

Freshwater anglers

Saltwater anglers Hunters

Park overnight

usersLess than 2 hours 47% 41% 39% 34%2-4 hours 42% 43% 38% 45%4 or more hours 12% 13% 22% 22%


Distance traveled one-way for overnight trips

Mule deer and quail hunters travel the farthest distance for their overnight

hunting trips.

Source: Duda, 2001

Distance traveled one-way for overnight trips

Squirrel White-tailed deer

Dove Duck Rio Grande turkey

Feral hog

Quail Mule deer

Less than 2 hours

55% 39% 39% 36% 33% 28% 26% 24%

2 or more hours

45% 61% 61% 64% 67% 72% 74% 76%



Day trips: Over three-quarters of hunters travel less

than 2 hours one-way for day trips.

• This is similar to saltwater and freshwater anglers.

Freshwater anglers


Park day users

Less than 1 hour 45% 44% 41% 27%1-2 hours 39% 33% 35% 34%2 or more hours 16% 23% 24% 39%


Distance traveled one-way for day trips

Mule deer hunters travel the farthest for their day trips.

Source: Duda, 2001

Squirrel Duck Dove Rio Grande turkey

White-tailed deer

Feral hog

Quail Mule deer

Less than 1 hour

50% 47% 46% 41% 40% 38% 34% 16%

1 or more hours

50% 53% 54% 59% 60% 62% 66% 84%

Distance traveled one-way for day trips



“For the sport of it” and “to be with friends and family” are the primary reasons for

hunting.


For the sport and recreation 31%

To be with friends and family 27%

For meat 17%

For relaxation 12%

To be close to nature 8%

For conservation/control of wildlife populations

3%

Primary Reasons For Hunting

Most Texas hunters do not hunt outside of the state of Texas.

• Only one-quarter had hunted in another state.

• Few had hunted on WMAs or TPWD dove leases.

Hunted in a state other than Texas 24%

Hunted on a TPWD Wildlife Management Area

12%

Hunted on lands leased by TPWD (dove leases)

9%

Hunted in another country 3%

Participated in activity in the past 2 years


Hunting primarily takes place on private land.

Question text: When hunting in Texas during the past 2 years, would you say you mostly hunted on public land, private land, or both about the same?

87%

8% 4%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Private land Both public and privatelands

Public land


Location of hunting in last 2 years

Regardless of the type of species hunted, most hunters hunted primarily on private land.

• Duck hunters were the most likely to hunt on public land.


Location of hunting in last 2 years

Mule deer

Quail Rio Grande turkey

Dove White-tailed deer

Feral hog

Squirrel Duck

Private land

97% 93% 90% 89% 88% 86% 75% 67%

Both private and public

3% 7% 7% 8% 8% 10% 18% 18%

Public land

0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 4% 7% 15%



Modern weapons are most popular among hunters.

• A third of hunters hunted with dogs during the last 2 years.

• Bow and arrow, muzzleloader, and black powder firearm were used by a minority of hunters.

Hunted with a modern rifle 88%

Hunted with a modern shotgun 74%

Hunted with dogs 30%

Hunted with a bow and arrow 17%

Hunted with a muzzleloader or black powder firearm

8%

Participated in activity in the past 2 years


Satisfaction With Hunting

Hunters are satisfied with their hunting experiences.

• 60% of hunters are very satisfied, but significantly less than park visitors .

Park day users

Park overnight

users Boaters HuntersSaltwater anglers

Freshwater anglers

Very satisfied 85% 85% 63% 60% 50% 45%Somewhat satisfied 13% 12% 29% 31% 38% 40%Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 3%Somewhat dissatisfied 1% 1% 3% 5% 7% 8%Very dissatisfied 0% 1% 3% 3% 4% 4%

Source: Duda, 2001

Satisfaction with outdoor recreation experiences

Duck and quail hunters are less satisfied with their hunting than other hunters.

Squirrel 60%

Rio Grande turkey 60%

Feral hog 56%

White-tailed deer 55%

Mule deer 50%

Mourning or white-winged dove

48%

Duck 35%

Quail 22%

Very satisfied with hunting for the species

Note: Some species not reported due to small sample sizes. Source: Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001

Half of hunters reported improvement in the quality of hunting in the last 5 years.

• Less than 20% of hunters have experienced a decline in quality.

• More hunters reported improvement than did overnight park visitors, freshwater anglers, or boaters.

Park day users Hunters

Saltwater anglers

Park overnight

usersFreshwater

anglers BoatersImproved 50% 47% 45% 37% 26% 22%Remained about the same 40% 35% 33% 50% 45% 42%Declined 10% 19% 21% 13% 30% 36%

Source: Duda, 2001

Quality of hunting in the last 5 years

54%

12% 12%

18%

33%33%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Boaters Saltwater anglers Freshwater anglers Park overnightusers

Park day users Hunters

Hunters report the lowest levels of user conflicts of all groups.

• Whereas over one-half of boaters reported interference from others that diminished their enjoyment of boating, hunters experienced little conflict while hunting.

Source: Duda, 2001

Percent reporting user conflicts

Hunters who hunt primarily on private land report less user conflict than those who hunt

on public land.

Source: Duda, 2001

Percent reporting user conflicts

User Conflicts

Hunt primarily on public land

20%

Hunt on public and private land

18%

Hunt primarily on private land

11%

Hunting faces significant competition for the discretionary time of participants.

• Of hunters who do not hunt as often as they would like, time is the most significant factor.

• Access, costs, and weather are secondary factors for hunters.

* Note: percentages do not add to 100% due to multiple responses per respondent

HuntersFreshwater

anglersSaltwater anglers

Park day users

Park overnight

usersTime 46% 34% 39% 29% 6%Access 19% 7% 5% 9% 6%Cost 17% 2% 8% 3% 9%Weather 15% 29% 19% 7% 24%Crowding 7% 9% 11% 16% 21%

Limits to Participation

Percentages based on hunters who experienced limitations.


Of hunters who are limited by time, almost all cite work as the specific reason.

Work 91%

Family obligations 13%

Education/school-related obligations 5%

Buying a license 1%

Buying equipment 1%

Time limitations

Percentages based on hunters who specified time limitations to participation.

Source: Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001* Note: percentages do not add to 100% due to multiple responses per respondent

Of those who are limited by cost, lease cost is the most commonly cited reason.

Leases too expensive 76%

Licenses too expensive 15%

Generally too expensive (unspecified)

13%

Equipment too expensive 8%

Other 2%

Cost limitations

Percentages based hunters who specified cost limitations to participation.

Source: Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001* Note: percentages do not add to 100% due to multiple responses per respondent

Knowledge & Satisfaction

with TPWD

Two-thirds of hunters know a great deal or moderate amount about TPWD’s activities.

• 25% know a great deal about the agency’s activities compared to only 9% of the general population.

• All TPWD constituent groups report good levels of knowledge of TPWD.

Saltwater anglers Boaters

Freshwater anglers Hunters

Land Owners

General Population

Great deal 29% 27% 25% 25% 24% 9%Moderate amount 49% 48% 48% 41% 40% 33%A little 20% 23% 26% 30% 28% 41%Nothing 2% 3% 1% 4% 7% 16%

Source: Duda, 2001

Knowledge about TPWD’s activities

This question asked for respondents’ perception of their knowledge. It did not ask for specific information to test their knowledge.

Hunters are satisfied with TPWD as a government agency.

• Over half of hunters are very satisfied. Very few are dissatisfied.

HuntersFreshwater

anglersSaltwater anglers Boaters

Land Owners

General Population

Very satisfied 52% 51% 51% 46% 44% 34%Somewhat satisfied 41% 41% 42% 43% 43% 55%Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 1% 3% 1% 3% 4% 4%Somewhat dissatisfied 4% 3% 4% 4% 6% 4%Very dissatisfied 2% 2% 3% 4% 4% 3%

Source: Duda, 2001

Satisfaction with TPWD

Three-quarters of hunters rate TPWD high on providing opportunities to hunt.

• This is similar to the ratings of anglers and boaters of their recreation opportunities.

Freshwater anglers

Saltwater anglers Boaters Hunters

Excellent 27% 24% 22% 20%Good 51% 58% 54% 53%Fair 19% 15% 21% 21%Poor 2% 3% 4% 6%

Source: Duda, 2001

Rating of TPWD’s efforts to provide recreation opportunities


Freshwater anglers Boaters

Excellent 32% 26% 24% 20%Good 52% 53% 56% 58%Fair 15% 19% 19% 20%Poor 1% 3% 2% 3%

Hunters give TPWD high marks for incorporating the wants and needs of

hunters into outdoor activities.• About 80% of hunters rate TPWD’s efforts as excellent or good.

Source: Duda, 2001

Rating of efforts to incorporate recreationists’ wants and needs into management of outdoor activities

Hunters feel that educating non-hunters about hunting is the top activity TPWD should do.

• Other important activities involve habitat, access, and information about hunting as well as education and law enforcement.

Educating non-hunters about hunting 53%

Acquiring more state-owned lands 41%

Improving habitats on public land 41%

Encouraging private land-owners to open land for hunting 38%

Providing information on hunting opportunities 36%

Hunter ethics and responsibility 35%

Improving and increasing access to public hunting areas 35%

Improving habitats on private land 31%

Hunter education 26%

Enforcing hunting laws and regulations 26%

Improving and increasing access to private hunting areas 26%


Hunting-related activities TPWD should provide much more effort to do

Few hunters felt that activities focused on specific species or weapons required more

effort from TPWD.

Upland game bird hunting 22%

White-tailed deer hunting 22%

Game-related research 20%

Hunting with a modern rifle 18%

Hunting with a bow and arrow 15%

Mule deer hunting 13%

Small game hunting 11%

Hunting with a muzzleloader or black powder firearm 11%

Pronghorn antelope hunting 10%

Waterfowl hunting 10%

Hunting exotic game animals 9%

Hunting with a crossbow 9%

Hunting-related activities TPWD should provide much more effort to do


Hunters want more TPWD effort placed on law enforcement and encouraging landowners to open

access for recreation than anglers do.• Saltwater anglers want more effort on research than hunters or freshwater

anglers.

Source: Duda, 2001

TPWD Activity Hunters Freshwater anglers

Saltwater anglers

Encouraging landowners to open access

38% 30% --

Providing public access 35% 37% 33%

Enforcing laws and regulations 26% 14% 20%

Doing research 20% 24% 32%

Activities TPWD should provide much more effort to do

TPWD Regulations

Hunters are satisfied with current hunting regulations.

• About half of hunters are very satisfied. • Saltwater anglers are the least satisfied group, with 20% being dissatisfied

with regulations.

HuntersFreshwater

anglers BoatersSaltwater anglers

Very satisfied 52% 50% 49% 40%

Somewhat satisfied 40% 42% 39% 39%

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 1% 1% 1% 1%

Somewhat dissatisfied 5% 3% 6% 12%

Very dissatisfied 2% 4% 4% 8%

Source: Duda, 2001

Satisfaction with hunting/fishing/boating regulations

The majority of hunters agree that regulations are clear and easy to understand.

• Only 10% of hunters disagree.

Saltwater anglers Boaters Hunters

Freshwater anglers

Strongly agree 67% 59% 57% 54%Somewhat agree 25% 34% 32% 29%Neither agree or disagree 1% 1% 2% 1%Somewhat disagree 5% 5% 7% 10%Strongly disagree 3% 1% 3% 6%

Source: Duda, 2001

Agreement that regulations are clear and easy to understand

TPWD Game Wardens

61% 61%

55%

50%

42%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Boaters Saltwater anglers Land Owners Freshwater anglers Hunters

Hunters are less likely than other groups to have personal contact with Game Wardens.

• Due to the clandestine nature of Game Wardens’ work with hunters, many hunters may not realize that a Game Warden is present.

Source: Duda, 2001

Contact with a Game Warden in last 5 years

Over a third of hunters have not seen a Game Warden patrolling and providing services.

• Boaters saw the most Game Wardens during the last 12 months.

Source: Duda, 2001

Number of times seen Game Wardens patrolling in last 12 months

Hunters Freshwater anglers

Saltwater anglers

Boaters

0 39% 31% 20% 22%

1 15% 10% 14% 11%

2-3 25% 23% 27% 23%

4-5 8% 11% 11% 13%

6-10 7% 11% 14% 12%

11 or more 6% 14% 14% 19%

Median 1.0 2.0 2.0 3.0

Most hunters believe that Game Wardens are effective at controlling illegal activity.

• Landowners show the strongest agreement with this statement.

• Hunters and anglers are more likely to somewhat agree with Game Wardens’ effectiveness than land owners were.

Land Owners


Freshwater anglers

Strongly agree 63% 49% 47% 44%Somewhat agree 23% 36% 37% 38%

Neither agree or disagree 2% 0% 1% 2%Somewhat disagree 3% 10% 8% 10%Strongly disagree 8% 5% 6% 6%

Source: Duda, 2001

Rating of Game Warden effectiveness at controlling illegal activity

Hunters agree that Game Wardens are professional and courteous.

• This agreement is shared by all TPWD constituent groups surveyed.

Land Owners Boaters Hunters

Saltwater anglers

Freshwater anglers

Strongly agree 90% 83% 81% 80% 78%Somewhat agree 7% 13% 13% 13% 14%Neither agree or disagree 1% 2% 2% 2% 3%Somewhat disagree 1% 0% 2% 2% 2%Strongly disagree 1% 2% 3% 3% 4%

Source: Duda, 2001

Rating of Game Wardens as being professional and courteous

Interest in Information

71%

65%65%

58%

56%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Hunters General Population Saltwater anglers Boaters Freshwater anglers

Hunters are the most interested in receiving information about outdoor recreation.

• 70% of hunters express interest, compared to 56% of freshwater anglers.

Source: Duda, 2001

Interest in receiving information about outdoor recreation

Hunters suggest mail as the most popular method of receiving information.

• The Internet and magazines are also suggested by some hunters.

Method by which information is desired to be received

Hunters Freshwater anglers

Saltwater anglers

Boaters State Park

Visitors

General Population

Information sent through the mail

52% 51% 48% 71% 51% 51%

Internet 18% 20% 15% 20% 28% 24%

Magazines (other than TPWD magazine)

15% 17% 27% 8% 8% 7%

Television 13% 11% 9% 4% 3% 12%

Pamphlets/Brochures 10% 0% 0% 0% 12% 14%

Newspapers 7% 7% 13% 5% 3% 7%

TPWD Magazine 5% 12% 5% 3% 6% 4%

TPWD Outdoor Annual 4% 3% 4% 3% 1% 1%

Source: Duda, 2001

* Note: Percentages do not add to 100% due to multiple responses per respondent.

Question was open-ended.

Information about where to hunt and hunting access are of most interest to

hunters.

Where to hunt 90%

Hunting access 88%

Public hunting areas 86%

Hunting regulations 82%

Game management 81%

Private hunting areas 80%

Getting involved in wildlife conservation

74%

Note: Respondents supplied their own answers

Hunting/gun safety 72%

Wildlife biology 65%

Ethical conduct and sportsmanship

64%

Use of hunting equipment 62%

Big Time Texas Hunts 58%

How to hunt 57%

Types of information desired by hunters


The majority of hunters have seen hunting-related magazines and TV shows

in the last 2 years.• Fewer have taken hunter ed or gone to a hunting club meeting,

however.

Watched a hunting show on television

88%

Read a hunting magazine 83%

Took a hunter safety education course in Texas

22%

Gone to a hunting club meeting

15%

Performed activity in the last 2 years


TPWD Funding

Hunters are divided in their support for an increase in license fees to increase funding

for TPWD.• Almost one-third of all anglers and hunters strongly oppose an increase

in activity fees.

Freshwater anglers


Strongly support 13% 14% 11%

Moderately support 33% 36% 32%Neither support or oppose 5% 3% 7%

Moderately oppose 20% 18% 19%Strongly oppose 29% 29% 32%

Source: Duda, 2001

Support for increasing license fees

Combo license holders are more likely to strongly oppose license fee increases.

Source: Duda, 2001

Type of license Strongly oppose

Combo 44%

Super Combo 30%

Special Resident Hunting 29%

Resident Hunting 26%

Percentage strongly opposing fee increases

Hunters living in rural areas and large cities are more likely to strongly oppose license fee

increases.

Source: Duda, 2001

Residence Strongly oppose

Rural area 37%

Large city or urban area 36%

Small city or town 31%

Farm or ranch 30%

Suburban area 18%


Hunters with incomes under $100,000 are more likely to strongly oppose license fee

increases.

Source: Duda, 2001

Household Income Strongly oppose

Less than $20,000 37%

$20,000 to $39,999 33%

$40,000 to $59,999 32%

$60,000 to $99,999 30%

$100,000 or more 20%


Hunters age 55 and above are more likely to strongly oppose license fee increases.

For the 65 and older group, this seems to be driven by their lower income compared to other hunters. Over half make less than $40,000 per year. Only 8% make $100,000 or more per year.

For the 55-64 year group, some of their opposition is driven by the relatively high percentage (40%) who are Combo license holders.

Source: Duda, 2001

Age Strongly oppose

18 – 24 28%

25 – 34 16%

35 – 44 35%

45 – 54 29%

55 – 64 48%

65 and above 37%


Hunters who did not attend college are more likely to strongly oppose license fee increases.

This finding is driven by the relatively low income of those who did not attend college. Only 7% of them have incomes of $100,000 or more compared to 24% of those who attended college.

Source: Duda, 2001

Education level Strongly oppose

Grades 1-12, no diploma 36%

High school graduate 38%

Some college or trade school 27%

College graduate 28%

Graduate or professional degree 25%


Hunters who live in the Piney Woods are more likely to strongly oppose license fee increases.

This is driven in part by the lower income of the Piney Woods hunters compared to hunters in other parts of Texas. Piney Woods hunters are also more likely to be Combo license holders.

Source: Duda, 2001

Region Strongly oppose

Piney Woods 46%

Panhandle Plains 34%

Big Bend 30%

Gulf Coast 30%

South Texas Plains 30%

Prairies and Lakes 30%

Hill Country 28%


Large Landowners and Hunting

Many Texas landowners are interested in hunting as a revenue source.

• 53% of landowners are interested in generating revenue on their land from hunting.

• 46% of landowners say they would be likely to open land for hunting if given significant cash benefits such as tax breaks or cash payments.

Source: Duda, Landowner Survey, 2001

78% of large landowners currently allow hunting on their lands by lease or family and friends.

40%

16%

38%

6%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Allow hunting bypermission/lease

Allow hunting byfamily and friends

only

Allowed hunting inthe past but stopped

Never allowedhunting

Landowners allowing hunting on their land


Landowners in the Hill Country are the most likely to allow hunting on their property by

permission or lease.

Source: Duda, 2001

Region Permission or lease

Family & friends

Allowed in the past

but stopped

Never allowed hunting

Hill Country 71% 21% 4% 4%

Prairies & Lakes 37% 46% 6% 11%

South Texas Plains 34% 55% 7% 4%

Gulf Coast 33% 39% 6% 22%

Big Bend 31% 38% 10% 21%

Panhandle Plains 24% 42% 10% 24%

Piney Woods 18% 64% 2% 16%

Poor behavior of hunters and concern for wildlife and livestock are top reasons

landowners ceased allowing hunting on their lands.

Poor behavior of hunters 14%

Livestock quality/concern for wildlife 14%

Damage to property 11%

Damage to livestock 8%

No lease/permit 8%

Loss of privacy 8%

Drought 6%

Legal liability 6%

Question was open-ended. Source: Duda, Landowner Survey, 2001

The majority of landowners expressed major concern about allowing hunting on

their land due to legal concerns.

66%

19%

13%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Major concern Minor concern No concern

Expressed legal concerns about hunting on their land


Over three-quarters of landowners are not aware that Texas provides liability

protection to landowners for allowing outdoor recreation use on their property.

20%

79%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Aware Unaware

Aware or unaware of liability protection


Attitudes and Interest in Hunting Among Non-Hunters

“Non-hunters” are respondents to the Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey who did not

hunt during the last 12 months.

The Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey allows for an analysis of non-hunters’ interest in hunting and reasons for not

participating.


Interest in participating in hunting is low among non-hunters.

• 80% of non-hunters were not at all interested in hunting.

9% 11%

80%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Very interested Somewhatinterested

Not at all interested

Interest in hunting among non-hunters


Over 1 million adult Texans who do not hunt are very interested in participating in hunting.

Outdoor Recreation Activity

Percent of all non-participants very

interested in activity

Projected number of adult Texans very

interested in activity

Visit State Park 37% 3,709,839

Visit Historical Sites 28% 2,472,228

Trips or outings to view wildlife 24% 2,370,466

Camping 21% 2,294,144

Fishing 20% 1,855,668

Motorboating (excluding jet skis) 20% 2,095,109

Jetskiing 12% 1,580,310

Swimming in Natural Waters (lakes, streams, gulf, bay) 12% 1,015,442

Hunting 9% 1,131,359

Source: Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey, 2001; US Census 2000

Total Texas adult population: 14,965,061

For example: 9% of those who do not hunt are very interesting in doing so. Since 84% of Texans do not hunt, this constitutes a substantial number of interested non-hunters available to convert to hunting.

Lack of time and health/age were the main reasons interested non-hunters did not go

hunting.• Lack of knowledge and skill were not common restraints among non-hunters.

Not enough time - work obligations 32%

Not enough time - family obligations 18%

Health/age 18%

Not enough opportunities 9%

Costs 9%

Don't know where to go 9%

Other hobbies 5%

No one to go with 5%

Poor behavior of others 2%

Lack skills 2%

Opportunities too far away 0%

Too crowded 0%

Question was open-ended. Source: Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey, 2001

Among non-hunters, target shooters and anglers were more likely to be very interested in hunting

than those who did not shoot or fish.• Participants in other recreation activities were no more likely to be very

interested in hunting

Participants Non-Participants

Target shooting 34% 7%

Fishing 15% 6%

Boating 10% 8%

Camping 10% 8%

Bold numbers indicate a statistically significant difference.

Percent very interested in hunting


For example, of those who participate in target shooting, 34% are very interested in hunting. By contrast, only 7% of those who do not target shoot are interested in hunting.

Men were more likely to be very interested non-hunters.

• Interest among women was low at 5%.

15%

5%

9%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

All Texans Men Women



Hispanics and African-Americans are more likely to be very interested non-hunters.

• These groups are under-represented among current hunters.

13%

7%

12%9%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

All Texans Hispanic AfricanAmerican

White/Non-Hispanic



Young people are more likely to be very interested non-hunters.

• The greatest interest is among people 18-24 at 23%.

• Interest decreases to 5% or less among those 45 and older.

Interest in hunting Proportion of adult population

Percent very interested

Percent not at all interested Males Females

Age 18-24 23% 59% 16% 14%

Age 25-34 11% 77% 22% 20%

Age 35-44 10% 75% 23% 22%

Age 45-54 5% 88% 18% 17%

Age 55-64 2% 90% 11% 11%

Age 65+ 4% 86% 12% 16%

Source: Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey, 2001; US Census 2000.

Most interested non-hunters believe the State of Texas does an excellent or good job at providing hunting opportunities.

• These ratings are very similar to those interested non-participants give to opportunities for fishing, camping, and visiting state parks and historic sites.

44%

7%

17%

32%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Excellent Good Fair Poor


General Population’s Attitudes Toward Hunting

Hunting-related issues are not top-of-mind outdoor recreation concerns among the

general Texas population.• Over 40% did not suggest any outdoor recreation issues as concerns.

Source: Duda, General Population Survey, 2001

Don’t know 42%

Poor/lack of park facilities 11%

Boating related issues 10%

Fishing related issues 8%

Not enough access for outdoor recreation opportunities

7%

Not enough parks 7%

Hunting related issues 5%

Outdoor recreation issues of concern to Texans

Question was open-ended.

The opportunity to hunt was viewed by the general population as the least important

of 12 outdoor recreation and natural resource values.

Water resources are safe and well protected

93%

Wildlife exists in Texas 80%

Natural areas exist for enjoying and experiencing nature

79%

Historic sites are protected and preserved

77%

Opportunity to view wildlife 74%

Fish and wildlife are properly managed and conserved

73%

Opportunity to visit state parks 72%

Ecologically important habitats and lands are protected and preserved

69%

Opportunity to fish 69%

Opportunity to visit historically significant sites

66%

Opportunity to boat 62%

Opportunity to hunt 45%

Rated Very Important


Texans in the general population view some hunting-related activities as top priorities for

TPWD.

When rating the importance of 22 TPWD activities, they put two hunting-related

activities in the top 3 list.


Texans view the enforcement of fishing, hunting, and boating laws and hunter safety

education as top priorities for TPWD.

1. Upkeep at State Parks 84%

2. Enforcement of fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations

81%

3. Hunter safety education 79%

4. Enforcing laws that protect habitat 79%

5. Boating safety education 77%

Top TPWD Activities Texans Rated as Very Important


Providing hunting opportunities was considered a relatively unimportant

activity for TPWD.• This activity was rated #21 of the 22 activities listed. Only

recreational shooting opportunities rated lower.

11. Wildlife viewing opportunities 60%

15. Fishing opportunities 55%

20. Boating opportunities 45%

21. Providing hunting opportunities 37%

22. Providing recreational shooting opportunities

27%

Outdoor Recreation Opportunity Activities Texans Rated as Very Important


Opposition to Hunting

Over 20% of Texans disapprove of legal hunting.


Approve of legal

hunting

Approve of legal

fishing

Approve of legal

trapping

Strongly approve 46% 68% 13%

Somewhat approve 26% 25% 16%

Neither approve nor disapprove

5% 2% 3%

Somewhat disapprove 8% 2% 13%

Strongly disapprove 14% 2% 54%

Texans who oppose legal hunting differ from those who approve of it by:

• Demographics

• Participation in outdoor recreation activities


Texans who oppose legal hunting are less likely to live in:

• A rural area

• A farm or ranch

Texans who oppose legal

hunting

Texans who approve of

legal hunting

Rural area 7% 13%

Farm or ranch 2% 7%

Place of residence by Texans’ opposition or approval to legal hunting


For example, 13% of those who approve of legal hunting life in a rural area. However, only 7% of those who oppose legal hunting do.

Texans who oppose legal hunting are more likely to be:

• Female

• Hispanic

• African-American

• Younger

Texans who oppose legal hunting

Texans who approve of legal hunting

Female 71% 53%

Hispanic 24% 16%

African-American 16% 8%

Average age 42 44

Ethnicity, gender, and average age by Texans’ opposition or approval to legal hunting


For example, 71% of those who oppose legal hunting are female. However, only 53% of those who approve of legal hunting are.

Texans who oppose legal hunting are less likely to participate in:

• Fishing

• Sport shooting

• Wildlife viewing around the home

Texans who oppose legal

hunting

Texans who approve of legal

hunting

Fishing 26% 43%

Sport shooting 3% 18%

Wildlife viewing around the home

51% 60%

Participation in outdoor recreation by Texans’ opposition or approval to legal hunting


For example, 43% of those who approve of legal hunting fish. However, only 26% of those who oppose legal hunting fish.

Conclusions and Implications

Generating general support for hunting among the Texas population is an important challenge.

• Hunting is among the least common outdoor recreation activities.

• The number of hunters in Texas is growing again but is not keeping pace with population growth.

• 9% of non-hunters are very interested in hunting. This projects to over a million very interested potential hunters that TPWD has the opportunity to reach.

• 22% of the general population disapproves of legal hunting.

• Educating non-hunters about hunting is hunters’ #1 priority for TPWD with over half believing TPWD should provide much more effort toward this activity.

Message to increase Texans’ support for hunting:

• Connect hunting to the management and conservation of natural resources – water, wildlife, and habitat

• 93% of Texans believe it is very important that water resources are safe and well protected

• 74% of Texans believe it is very important that fish and wildlife are properly managed and conserved.

• 69% of Texans believe it is very important that important habitats and lands are protected and preserved.

• Conservation of natural resources has broad support from Texans across ethnic, gender, and urban/rural lines.

• Texans need to understand the critical role that hunting plays in conserving these animals and lands.

Conditions necessary for Texans’ acceptance of hunting:

• TPWD should continue to diligently pursue law enforcement and hunter safety education activities to ensure responsible hunting.

• These hunting-related activities are in the top 3 overall important activities to the general population.

• Texans are concerned with minimizing the risks from hunting: that hunters not break laws that protect wildlife and not endanger the lives of themselves or others while hunting.

TPWD needs to reach out to recruit those who do not match the typical hunter profile.

• Current typical hunter

• White male, mid-40’s, higher than average income, living in a small town or large city

• Non-hunters more likely to be very interested in hunting

• Target shooters and anglers

• Men

• Hispanics and African-Americans

• Young people, especially below the age of 34

Emphasize motivating factors for hunters:

The sport of hunting and being with friends and family.

• Make hunting a family activity

• Time constraints commonly limit hunters’ participation in their activity.

• Time constraints, including work and family responsibilities, are also common reasons that very interested non-hunters did not go hunting.

• Women are consistently less interested in hunting than men, but could be attracted to an outdoor family experience in which hunting plays a role.

Increasing TPWD revenue by increasing hunting license fees is likely to meet with

substantial opposition.

• Half of hunters moderately or strongly oppose license fee increases.

• Costs, and the related issue of access, are limiting factors for many hunters. Lease costs are particularly a problem for some hunters.

• Converting the 23% of hunters who do not hunt every year into regular license purchasers could increase TPWD revenue.

Increasing access to private lands is important to the future of hunting.

• The vast majority of hunters hunt primarily on private lands.

• Encouraging private landowners to open land for hunting is the #4 TPWD priority for hunters.

• About half of landowners are interested in generating money or tax breaks by allowing hunting on their lands.

• Landowners are very concerned about the legal consequences of allowing hunting on their land, but for the most part are unaware of the liability protection offered by the state.

• Educating landowners about landowner liability facts is key to opening up these currently unused lands for hunting.

Hunters give TPWD and Game Wardens high ratings.

• Most hunters are satisfied with their hunting experiences, though duck and quail hunters are less satisfied.

• Most hunters are satisfied with TPWD as a government agency.

• Hunters and landowners agree that Game Wardens are effective in controlling illegal activity.

Top activities hunters say TPWD should spend much more effort on:

• Educating non-hunters about hunting

• Improving habitats on public land

• Acquiring more state-owned land

• Encouraging private landowners to open land for hunting

• Providing information on hunting opportunities

• Promoting hunter ethics and responsibility

• Improving and increasing access to public hunting areas

Appendix

BoatersSaltwater anglers

Freshwater anglers Hunters

Park day users

Park overnight

users0 7% 4% 4% 3% 0% 0%1-5 20% 20% 21% 20% 56% 53%6-10 16% 16% 18% 22% 20% 28%11-20 20% 25% 23% 29% 12% 14%21-30 16% 14% 14% 14% 6% 4%31-40 5% 4% 5% 3% 1% 1%41-50 3% 3% 5% 2% 1% 1%>50 15% 14% 10% 6% 4% 1%weighted n= 774 244 549 778 757 788Mean 29.60 28.06 25.92 18.91 12.34 8.00Median 20.00 15.00 14.00 12.00 5.00 5.00

Number of Days Participating in Outdoor Recreation Activities – TPWD Customers

Source: Duda, 2001

Freshwater anglers


Park day users

Don't go on day trip 3% 12% 0% 0%weighted n= 563 247 809 785

Of those who do go on day trips:Freshwater

anglersSaltwater anglers Hunters

Park day users

<1 hr 45% 44% 41% 27%1-1.5 hours 25% 22% 22% 17%1.5-2 hours 14% 11% 13% 17%2-2.5 hours 4% 6% 7% 8%2.5-3 hours 7% 8% 8% 9%3-3.5 hours 2% 4% 2% 5%3.5-4 hours 1% 4% 3% 6%4-4.5 hours 1% 1% 1% 2%4.5-5 hours 1% 1% 1% 4%5+ hours 1% 1% 3% 7%weighted n= 543 214 739 763

Distance Traveled One-Way to Participate in Outdoor Recreation – Day Trips

Source: Duda, 2001

Freshwater anglers


Park overnight

usersDon't go overnight 27% 30% 20% 0%weighted n= 563 247 809 805

Of those who do take overnight trips:

Freshwater anglers


Park overnight

users<1 hr 14% 16% 14% 8%1-2 hours 33% 25% 25% 26%2-3 hours 30% 23% 22% 28%3-4 hours 12% 22% 16% 17%4-5 hours 7% 5% 7% 10%5-6 hours 2% 5% 5% 6%6-7 hours 1% 2% 5% 3%7-8 hours 1% 1% 2% 1%8+ hours 1% 1% 3% 2%weighted n= 409 167 634 805

Distance Traveled One-Way to Participate in Outdoor Recreation – Overnight Trips

Source: Duda, 2001

Number of years participating

Freshwater anglers

Saltwater anglers Hunters Boaters

Park day users

Park overnight users

1 year 1% 2% 4% 2% 8% 3%2 years 3% 2% 7% 6% 9% 8%3 years 5% 8% 7% 8% 13% 14%4 years 2% 3% 5% 4% 4% 7%5 years 89% 85% 77% 80% 66% 69%weighted n= 560 247 803 804 771 811

Outdoor Recreation Participation in the Last 5 Years

Source: Duda, 2001

Land Owners Boaters Hunters All Anglers

10 years or fewer 1% 6% 4% 4%11-20 years 2% 8% 14% 8%21-40 years 10% 33% 33% 40%More than 40 years 88% 54% 50% 49%weighted n= 530 791 800 794Mean 58.82 41.49 40.02 39.71Median 60.00 42.00 40.00 40.00

How many years have you lived in Texas?

Source: Duda, 2001

Hunters

General Population, US Census

Land Owners Boaters All Anglers

Park overnight

usersPark day

users18-24 14% 15% 1% 1% 4% 0% 5%25-34 12% 21% 2% 10% 15% 9% 16%35-44 21% 22% 7% 24% 28% 34% 27%45-54 26% 17% 19% 26% 28% 28% 23%55-64 15% 11% 24% 19% 21% 16% 15%65+ 13% 14% 47% 20% 4% 12% 14%weighted n= 795 n/a 545 790 787 814 780Mean 44.76 43.30 61.94 51.07 45.50 48.12 46.43Median 46.00 40.00 63.00 50.00 46.00 46.00 45.00

Age of TPWD Customers• The 25-34 age group is under-represented among hunters.

• The 45-54 and 55-64 age groups are over-represented.


The importance of conserving fish and wildlife and preserving habitats

Source: Duda, General Population Survey, 2001.

Percentage rating the activity very important

Fish and wildlife are properly managed

and conserved

Habitats are protected and

preserved

Urban/suburban residents 73% 72%

Rural residents 77% 67%

White/Non-Hispanics 77% 71%

Hispanics 75% 70%

African Americans 76% 65%

Males 79% 72%

Females 73% 69%

participation and attitudes about hunting public opinion surveys (duda, 2001) sally williams...

Documents

hunting attitudes

hunting satisfaction

texas population

type of hunting license

hunting knowledge

hunting conclusions

hunting season

resident hunting licenses