Participation and Attitudes About Hunting Public Opinion Surveys (Duda, 2001)

1
Participation and Attitudes About Hunting
Public Opinion Surveys (Duda, 2001)
Sally Williams Consumer Research
Planner Marketing Services Branch December 2002
2

• 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.

3

• 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.

4

• 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.

5

• 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 Populations Attitudes Toward Hunting
• Conclusions and Implications

6
Demographics of Hunters
7

• 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
The median is the midpoint of the distribution.
Half the number are below the median half are
above it.
Source Duda, 2001
8

• 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.

Location of residence
Comparable US Census data not available for Texas
for this question.
Source Duda, 2001
9

• 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.
10

• 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.

Source Duda, 2001, and US Census, 2000.
11

• 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.

Source Duda, 2001, and US Census, 2000.
12
Resident Hunting License holders are younger than
Combo and Super Combo holders.
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.
Source TPWD License Point of Sale data, 2001,
and US Census, 2000.
13
The majority of hunters are non-Hispanic and
white.
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001, and US Census,
2000.
14
Hunters are overwhelmingly male.
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001, and US Census,
2000.
15
Participation in Hunting
16
Hunting is one of the least participated in
outdoor recreation activities among the general
population of Texas.
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
Sources Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
17

• The number of Texas hunters has increased over
  the past 10 years, but not enough to keep pace
  with the population growth.

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
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.
18

• 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
19
White-tailed deer and dove are the most popular
species with Texas hunters.
Top 2 species hunted in the last 2 years
White-tailed deer 77
Mourning dove/White-winged dove 38
Quail 11
Feral hog 9
Ducks 7
Mule deer 5
Rio Grande turkey 5
Squirrel 4
Eastern turkey 3
Pheasant 2
Geese 2
Rabbit/hare 1
Other 2
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
20

• 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.

Median Number of Days Participated in Last 12
Months
Source Duda, 2001
Details in Appendix.
21
Rio Grande turkey and squirrel hunters
participated the most frequently.
Median Number of Days Participated in Last 12
Months
Species in the top two species hunted in the last
2 years. Note Some species not reported due to
small sample sizes.
Source Duda, 2001
22

• Over three-quarters of hunters participate in
  hunting every year.
• Anglers and boaters are the most consistent
  participants

Participated every year in last five years
Source Duda, 2001
Details in Appendix.
23
Mule deer and Rio Grande turkey hunters are the
most consistent hunters.
Participated every year in last five years
Species in the top two species hunted in the last
2 years. Note Some species not reported due to
small sample sizes.
Source Duda, 2001
24
Most hunters take both day and overnight hunting
trips.
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
25

• 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.

Distance traveled one-way for overnight trips
Source Duda, 2001
Details in Appendix.
26
Mule deer and quail hunters travel the farthest
distance for their overnight hunting trips.
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
Species in the top two species hunted in the last
2 years. Note Some species not reported due to
small sample sizes.
Source Duda, 2001
27

• 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.

Distance traveled one-way for day trips
Source Duda, 2001
Details in Appendix.
28
Mule deer hunters travel the farthest for their
day trips.
Distance traveled one-way for day trips
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
Species in the top two species hunted in the last
2 years. Note Some species not reported due to
small sample sizes.
Source Duda, 2001
29
For the sport of it and to be with friends and
family are the primary reasons for hunting.
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
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
30

• 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.

Participated in activity in the past 2 years
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
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
31
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?
Location of hunting in last 2 years
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
32

• 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
Species in the top two species hunted in the last
2 years. Note Some species not reported due to
small sample sizes.
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
33

• 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.

Participated in activity in the past 2 years
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
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
34
Satisfaction With Hunting
35

• Hunters are satisfied with their hunting
  experiences.
• 60 of hunters are very satisfied, but
  significantly less than park visitors .

Satisfaction with outdoor recreation experiences
Source Duda, 2001
36
Duck and quail hunters are less satisfied with
their hunting than other hunters.
Very satisfied with hunting for the species
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
Note Some species not reported due to small
sample sizes.
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
37

• 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.

Quality of hunting in the last 5 years
Source Duda, 2001
38

• 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.

Percent reporting user conflicts
Source Duda, 2001
39
Hunters who hunt primarily on private land report
less user conflict than those who hunt on public
land.
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
Source Duda, 2001
40

• 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.

Limits to Participation Percentages based on
hunters who experienced limitations.
Note percentages do not add to 100 due to
multiple responses per respondent
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
41
Of hunters who are limited by time, almost all
cite work as the specific reason.
Time limitations Percentages based on hunters who
specified time limitations to participation.
Work 91
Family obligations 13
Education/school-related obligations 5
Buying a license 1
Buying equipment 1
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
Note percentages do not add to 100 due to
multiple responses per respondent
42
Of those who are limited by cost, lease cost is
the most commonly cited reason.
Cost limitations Percentages based hunters who
specified cost limitations to participation.
Leases too expensive 76
Licenses too expensive 15
Generally too expensive (unspecified) 13
Equipment too expensive 8
Other 2
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
Note percentages do not add to 100 due to
multiple responses per respondent
43

• Knowledge Satisfaction
• with TPWD

44

• Two-thirds of hunters know a great deal or
  moderate amount about TPWDs activities.
• 25 know a great deal about the agencys
  activities compared to only 9 of the general
  population.
• All TPWD constituent groups report good levels of
  knowledge of TPWD.

Knowledge about TPWDs activities
This question asked for respondents perception
of their knowledge. It did not ask for specific
information to test their knowledge.
Source Duda, 2001
45

• Hunters are satisfied with TPWD as a government
  agency.
• Over half of hunters are very satisfied. Very
  few are dissatisfied.

Satisfaction with TPWD
Source Duda, 2001
46

• 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.

Rating of TPWDs efforts to provide recreation
opportunities
Source Duda, 2001
47

• Hunters give TPWD high marks for incorporating
  the wants and needs of hunters into outdoor
  activities.
• About 80 of hunters rate TPWDs efforts as
  excellent or good.

Rating of efforts to incorporate recreationists
wants and needs into management of outdoor
activities
Source Duda, 2001
48

• 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.

Hunting-related activities TPWD should provide
much more effort to do
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
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
49
Few hunters felt that activities focused on
specific species or weapons required more effort
from TPWD.
Hunting-related activities TPWD should provide
much more effort to do
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
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
50

• 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.

Activities TPWD should provide much more effort
to do
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
Source Duda, 2001
51
TPWD Regulations
52

• 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.

Satisfaction with hunting/fishing/boating
regulations
Source Duda, 2001
53

• The majority of hunters agree that regulations
  are clear and easy to understand.
• Only 10 of hunters disagree.

Agreement that regulations are clear and easy to
understand
Source Duda, 2001
54
TPWD Game Wardens
55

• 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.

Contact with a Game Warden in last 5 years
Source Duda, 2001
56

• 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.

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
Source Duda, 2001
57

• 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.

Rating of Game Warden effectiveness at
controlling illegal activity
Source Duda, 2001
58

• Hunters agree that Game Wardens are professional
  and courteous.
• This agreement is shared by all TPWD constituent
  groups surveyed.

Rating of Game Wardens as being professional and
courteous
Source Duda, 2001
59
Interest in Information
60

• Hunters are the most interested in receiving
  information about outdoor recreation.
• 70 of hunters express interest, compared to 56
  of freshwater anglers.

Interest in receiving information about outdoor
recreation
Source Duda, 2001
61

• 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
Note Percentages do not add to 100 due to
multiple responses per respondent. Question
was open-ended.
Source Duda, 2001
62
Information about where to hunt and hunting
access are of most interest to hunters.
Types of information desired by 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
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
Note Respondents supplied their own answers
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
63

• 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.

Performed activity in the last 2 years
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
Source Duda, Hunter Survey, 2001
64
TPWD Funding
65

• 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.

Support for increasing license fees
Source Duda, 2001
66
Combo license holders are more likely to strongly
oppose license fee increases.
Percentage strongly opposing fee increases
Type of license Strongly oppose
Combo 44
Super Combo 30
Special Resident Hunting 29
Resident Hunting 26
Source Duda, 2001
67
Hunters living in rural areas and large cities
are more likely to strongly oppose license fee
increases.
Percentage strongly opposing fee increases
Residence Strongly oppose
Rural area 37
Large city or urban area 36
Small city or town 31
Farm or ranch 30
Suburban area 18
Source Duda, 2001
68
Hunters with incomes under 100,000 are more
likely to strongly oppose license fee increases.
Percentage strongly opposing fee increases
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
Source Duda, 2001
69

• 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.

Percentage strongly opposing fee increases
Age Strongly oppose
18 24 28
25 34 16
35 44 35
45 54 29
55 64 48
65 and above 37
Source Duda, 2001
70

• 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.

Percentage strongly opposing fee increases
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
Source Duda, 2001
71

• 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.

Percentage strongly opposing fee increases
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
Source Duda, 2001
72
Large Landowners and Hunting
73

• 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
74
78 of large landowners currently allow hunting
on their lands by lease or family and friends.
Landowners allowing hunting on their land
Source Duda, Landowner Survey, 2001
75
Landowners in the Hill Country are the most
likely to allow hunting on their property by
permission or lease.
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
Source Duda, 2001
76
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
77
The majority of landowners expressed major
concern about allowing hunting on their land due
to legal concerns.
Expressed legal concerns about hunting on their
land
Source Duda, Landowner Survey, 2001
78
Over three-quarters of landowners are not aware
that Texas provides liability protection to
landowners for allowing outdoor recreation use on
their property.
Aware or unaware of liability protection
Source Duda, Landowner Survey, 2001
79
Attitudes and Interest in Hunting Among
Non-Hunters
80
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.
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
81

• Interest in participating in hunting is low among
  non-hunters.
• 80 of non-hunters were not at all interested in
  hunting.

Interest in hunting among non-hunters
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
82
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.
83

• 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
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
Question was open-ended.
84

• 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

Percent very interested in hunting
Participants Non-Participants
Target shooting 34 7
Fishing 15 6
Boating 10 8
Camping 10 8
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.
Bold numbers indicate a statistically significant
difference.
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
85

• Men were more likely to be very interested
  non-hunters.
• Interest among women was low at 5.

Percent very interested in hunting
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
86

• Hispanics and African-Americans are more likely
  to be very interested non-hunters.
• These groups are under-represented among current
  hunters.

Percent very interested in hunting
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
87

• 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 Interest in hunting Proportion of adult population 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.
88

• 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.

Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
89
General Populations Attitudes Toward Hunting
90

• 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.

Outdoor recreation issues of concern to Texans
Dont 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
Source Duda, General Population Survey, 2001
Question was open-ended.
91
The opportunity to hunt was viewed by the general
population as the least important of 12 outdoor
recreation and natural resource values.
Rated Very Important
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
Source Duda, General Population Survey, 2001
92
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.
Source Duda, General Population Survey, 2001
93
Texans view the enforcement of fishing, hunting,
and boating laws and hunter safety education as
top priorities for TPWD.
Top TPWD Activities Texans Rated as Very Important
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
Source Duda, General Population Survey, 2001
94

• 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.

Outdoor Recreation Opportunity Activities Texans
Rated as Very Important
11. Wildlife viewing opportunities 60
15. Fishing opportunities 55
20. Boating opportunities 45
21. Providing hunting opportunities 37
22. Providing recreational shooting opportunities 27
Source Duda, General Population Survey, 2001
95
Opposition to Hunting
96
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
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
97

• Texans who oppose legal hunting differ from those
  who approve of it by
• Demographics
• Participation in outdoor recreation activities

Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
98

• Texans who oppose legal hunting are less likely
  to live in
• A rural area
• A farm or ranch

Place of residence by Texans opposition or
approval to legal hunting
Texans who oppose legal hunting Texans who approve of legal hunting
Rural area 7 13
Farm or ranch 2 7
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.
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
99

• Texans who oppose legal hunting are more likely
  to be
• Female
• Hispanic
• African-American
• Younger

Ethnicity, gender, and average age by Texans
opposition or approval to legal hunting
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
For example, 71 of those who oppose legal
hunting are female. However, only 53 of those
who approve of legal hunting are.
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
100

• Texans who oppose legal hunting are less likely
  to participate in
• Fishing
• Sport shooting
• Wildlife viewing around the home

Participation in outdoor recreation by Texans
opposition or approval to legal hunting
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
For example, 43 of those who approve of legal
hunting fish. However, only 26 of those who
oppose legal hunting fish.
Source Duda, Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey, 2001
101
Conclusions and Implications
102

• 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.

103

• 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.

104

• 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.

105

• TPWD needs to reach out to recruit those who do
  not match the typical hunter profile.
• Current typical hunter
• White male, mid-40s, 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

106

• 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.

107

• 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.

108

• 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.

109

• 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.

110

• 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

111
Appendix
112
Number of Days Participating in Outdoor
Recreation Activities TPWD Customers
Source Duda, 2001
113
Distance Traveled One-Way to Participate in
Outdoor Recreation Day Trips
Source Duda, 2001
114
Distance Traveled One-Way to Participate in
Outdoor Recreation Overnight Trips
Source Duda, 2001
115
Outdoor Recreation Participation in the Last 5
Years
Source Duda, 2001
116
How many years have you lived in Texas?
Source Duda, 2001
117

• 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.

Source Duda, 2001, and US Census, 2000.
118
The importance of conserving fish and wildlife
and preserving habitats
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
Source Duda, General Population Survey, 2001.