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Because Null Hypothesis Significance Tests (NHST) can be misleading particularly when sample sizes are large, reporting effect sizes is recommended. Effect sizes such as Cohen's d, however, are abstract statistics and not relevant to decision-making. This article introduced an alternative formulation of Cohen's d based on a "minimal important percent difference" (MIPD) between groups that has an intuitive, practical meaning. Cohen's d was calculated based on detecting MIPDs of 5% and 10% differences in means. Power analyses were used to determine the number of responses needed to detect differences in means. Power-probability sample size requirements were examined for an 80% and a 50% chance of accepting a difference of MIPD at p <.05. We proposed a four-step process to show how both effect size and NHST jointly contribute to decision-making. To demonstrate the process, data were obtained for 6 years of annual waterfowl surveys in Illinois (N = 17,265, average response rate = 41%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Many terrestrial mammals have undergone substantial distribution changes in recent decades; yet collecting broad-scale occurrence data for carnivores is difficult due to their low densities and cryptic behaviors. Carnivore observations from community (i.e., citizen) science programs can be a potentially valuable approach for understanding changes in carnivore distributions over long time periods. Objectives: We used 18 years of bobcat (Lynx rufus) observations collected by archery deer hunters (i.e., participants) across Illinois, USA, to estimate spatiotemporal patterns in occurrence and determine how landscape features influenced patterns of recolonization. Methods: We developed Bayesian spatial and non-spatial multi-scale dynamic occupancy models to estimate county-level occupancy, persistence, and colonization and participant-level occupancy. We modeled county-level parameters as a function of multiple a priori landscape covariates and compared model predictive performance using cross-validation. Results: Our non-spatial occupancy model had greater predictive support than our spatial occupancy model. Mean annual statewide county-level occupancy increased from approximately 0.43–0.83 while mean annual participant-level occupancy increased from approximately 0.07–0.28. Bobcats were primarily restricted to southern Illinois during the early 2000s but by 2018 occurred throughout western and southern Illinois. Landscape covariates had relatively weak effects on model parameters. Conclusions: Our study illustrates how community science observations analyzed with hierarchical occupancy models can be used to model spatiotemporal changes in species distributions. Bobcats have recolonized much of Illinois, but this colonization was not strongly mediated by county-level landscape features at the scales we measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To help the Illinois Department of Natural Resources develop a comprehensive wolf management strategy, a mail survey was conducted of non-hunters (n = 1,145) and hunters (n = 1,489). Results supported three bivariate hypotheses. Compared to urbanites, respondents who grew up in rural areas were more emotional toward wolves, held more negative attitudes toward wolves, and were less likely to accept wolf management. Hunters had stronger emotions and more negative attitudes toward wolves and were less accepting of wolf management than were non-hunters. People who lived in an area where a wolf had not been found were more emotional toward wolves, held more negative attitudes toward this species, and were less accepting of wolf management compared to those who lived in an area where a wolf had been seen. Results also supported the predicted three-way interaction effects for each of the three dependent variables, highlighting the complexities of managing wolves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific interactions among predators can shape ecological communities across trophic levels, including among predator guilds. The strength and directions of these interactions, however, may vary spatially and temporally in regions undergoing widespread landscape changes (e.g., urbanization, agricultural production). We investigated intraguild effects of coyotes (Canis latrans), a de facto apex predator, and land-cover changes on abundance indices of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) using two long-term and independent time series: direct observations of canids by archery deer hunters (26 years) and harvest data from canid trappers (41 years) from across Illinois, USA. Abundance indices from both time series for red and gray foxes declined whereas coyote abundance indices increased, suggesting increasing coyote abundance may have led to decreases in fox population abundances. Empirical support among candidate models explaining fox declines was generally equivocal yet differed between fox species. Models including effects of coyote abundance were generally competitive for red foxes and estimated negative coyote effects even after controlling for declining farm size. The empirical support among our landscape hypotheses also varied by species despite increasing forest cover and farm size during our study. The estimated effects of coyote in our study were weaker than reported at more northerly latitudes suggesting that increasing coyote populations may not be fully responsible for observed declines in fox populations in the midwestern USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, there is increasing effort to transition away from the use of lead ammunition to mitigate its known risks to wildlife and human health. Whenever this transition is stated hunters frequently cite concerns about the effectiveness of non‐lead ammunition, how it will result in greater crippling rates, and associated animal welfare costs. This area has been little studied, but recent studies have found no differences in crippling rates using lead and steel ammunition. Using segmented linear regression we evaluated 37 years of waterfowl harvest data in Illinois, United States, overlapping the transition to non‐lead shot for waterfowl hunting in order to assess how crippling rates changed following the ban. The average crippling rate prior to the lead shot ban was 23% for both ducks and geese and reduced to an average of 15% and 11% for ducks and geese (respectively) following the ban. In addition, the annual trend in the proportion of ducks and geese crippled reversed following the ban, from a significant annually increasing to a significant annually decreasing trend. We offer hypotheses on behavioural and technological changes which may explain these changes and predict that crippling losses will not increase in Europe following a ban on the use of lead ammunition over wetlands in 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indices of relative abundance are routinely used to monitor and manage wildlife, yet all indices contain observation error and have unknown relationships with true abundance. State-space models (SSM) allow estimation of observation error while concordance in trends among multiple indices from different sampling methods may reflect true trends in abundance. We used multiple decades of data from roadkill surveys, nocturnal spotlight surveys, and observations from hunters along with trapper harvest data for six mesopredators in Illinois, USA, to evaluate concordance (i.e., similarity in trend direction and magnitude) across count- and harvest-based indices, while controlling for observation error using Bayesian SSM. We assumed that increased concordance among trends from different sampling methods would increasingly mirror trends in true abundance. We observed positive trends for raccoon and coyote, negative trends for gray and red fox, and stable trends for skunk, consistent with spatiotemporal patterns of distribution and abundance of these species within midwestern USA. Concordance among count-based indices and harvest-based indices adjusted for temporal changes in trapper numbers was generally high. In contrast, total annual trapper harvest often showed discordance with other trends. Sampling variability was similar across methods but was highest across the shortest time series highlighting the importance of methodologically or analytically controlling for sampling variability. Our results suggest that concordant broad-scale (e.g., statewide) trends in index data may be best used for evaluating relatively general trends and using relatively drastic changes as justification for more in-depth studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding social support for large carnivores' recovery can guide policies governing human-predator interactions. We investigated the socio-psychological determinants of support for recovery of black bears, cougars, and gray wolves among residents of Illinois, USA. We contacted a random sample (n = 7,500) of Illinois residents using a repeat mail survey (34% response rate). Structural equation modeling results suggested that our respondents tend to rely more on mental shortcuts (i.e., emotions and social trust) than analytical mental processes (i.e., risk perception) in their judgments of large carnivores' recovery. Findings of multigroup analysis suggested that similar psychological processes shape respondents' support for recovery across species. However, among stakeholder groups, the findings implied a prominent role of trust in management agency for the public and hunters, whereas emotions were more influential in shaping hunters' and livestock producers' attitudes. We provide specific recommendations for management agencies to develop policies and conservation campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anglers have been among the major supporters of aquatic conservation activities in the USA through the Dingell–Johnson Act and other programs. Declining rates of participation in fishing have spurred significant efforts to recruit, retain, and reengage anglers, also known as "R3." To make R3 strategies more effective, it is important to explore the broader sociodemographic patterns that underpin angling participation. Urban areas are variable with respect to residents' socioeconomic status (SES), and scholars have observed lower rates of angling participation among urban residents. This heterogeneity highlights the need to understand angling participation among urban residents. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the influence of aggregate sociodemographic characteristics on fishing license sales in Cook County, Illinois, the main urban center of the state. We assessed the spatial association of sociodemographic characteristics and fishing license purchase and determined the relative influence of three components (SES, household mobility, and age) from principal components analysis on fishing license purchases. We used the bivariate LISA (local indicators of spatial association) method and regression models to test for differences in demographic effect. Results revealed statistically significant spatial dependence in patterns of license sales density and aggregate SES, household mobility, and age. Aggregate SES had a negative relationship with license sales density. Conversely, aggregate household mobility and age positively influenced the density of license sales. Interactions of the three components were also investigated. Census tracts with lower mobility tended to fish more with higher SES. Census tracts with a younger population tended to fish more with higher SES. Census tracts with higher SES tended to fish less with increasing age. Our findings provide assistance in developing R3 strategies aimed at increasing participation in recreational angling by showing how demographic factors influencing license sales can be examined using census data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most carnivore populations are declining worldwide, some species are successfully living in human‐modified landscapes. For example, coyotes (Canis latrans) have expanded their range across North America and into many urban areas making it important to understand factors influencing broad‐scale patterns of occurrence. We used citizen science data in the form of coyote observations by archery deer hunters from throughout the state of Illinois to evaluate factors affecting coyote detection and occupancy. Our statewide participant‐level occupancy estimate (0.63) was 58% greater than our naïve occupancy estimate (0.40) while detection probability was <0.25, highlighting the importance of using modeling frameworks that account for imperfect detection when modeling occupancy of cryptic species with low detection rates. Time period (AM/PM) had the largest effect on detection of coyotes, with detections greater in the AM. The number of hours hunted (analogous to effort) also impacted coyote detection, with more hours hunted increasing coyote detections. In contrast, none of the landscape covariates examined had strong effects on coyote occupancy. While coyote ubiquity and generalist habitat use may at least partially explain our results, we suspect it also is because the landscape covariates were measured at the county level, as more precise participant location data were unavailable, whereas participants effectively surveyed a much smaller area. Since scale affects the strength and direction of species‐habitat relationships, this scale mismatch is likely an important limitation when using many sources of citizen scientist observations to infer species‐habitat relationships for widespread generalist species when precise participant location data are unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trapping data have a long and rich history of use in monitoring furbearer populations in North America but understanding the influences of variation in trapper harvest is important. Many factors besides abundance can cause variation in trapper harvest, including socioeconomics, weather, and motivation. The relationships between these extrinsic factors and trapper harvest may change temporally, which may obscure the causal understanding of variation in trapper harvest. We tested for changes in the relationships between pelt price and trapper numbers, and pelt price and harvest per trapper for raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Illinois, USA, from 1976–2018 while controlling for other socioeconomic (gasoline price, unemployment) and weather (temp, snow depth) factors. The annual raccoon harvest showed no clear trend, whereas the number of raccoon trappers declined markedly from approximately 1976–1990 in conjunction with pelt prices, after which the number of trappers remained relatively stable and were not significantly affected by pelt price. In contrast, harvest per trapper increased markedly during the 1990s and showed a significant negative relationship with pelt price pre‐1990 but a positive relationship post‐1990. We propose that declines in pelt prices resulted in a loss of less experienced or economically incentivized trappers, whereas contemporary trappers may continue trapping primarily for non‐economic reasons. Our study highlights the potential for using non‐linear relationships between trapper harvest data and socioeconomic covariates to help understand the influences of temporal variation in trapper harvest data. © 2020 The Wildlife Society. We analyzed 43 years of raccoon trapper harvest data from Illinois, USA, and found non‐linear declines in the number of raccoon trappers and non‐linear increases in harvest per raccoon trapper. The relationships between these variables and pelt prices was not consistent over time and a weaker relationship between number of raccoon trappers and pelt prices after 1990 may suggest shifts in trapper motivations towards non‐economic motivations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate understanding of harvest trends is required for effective wildlife management. Trapper harvest data represent valuable long‐term data for evaluating patterns and trends for wildlife species at broad spatiotemporal scales. Inferring accurate trends from harvest data, however, first requires identifying and controlling for confounding factors that vary independent of abundance. We investigated trends in 43 years of trapper harvest data (1976–2018) from Illinois, USA, for red fox (Vulpes vulpes), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and coyote (Canis latrans) while controlling for factors that may affect trapper effort, including number of effective (i.e., successful) trappers, pelt price, gasoline price, winter unemployment, and winter weather conditions. Annual trapper harvest for red and gray foxes declined and was affected by gasoline price and winter unemployment, whereas annual trapper harvest for coyotes increased and was not strongly affected by other covariates. After adjusting for pelt price, harvest of red foxes was relatively stable, but harvest of gray foxes declined and harvest of coyotes increased. Effects of covariates on harvest per successful trapper varied by species; nevertheless, we detected an increasing trend for coyotes and decreasing trends for gray foxes and red foxes. Concordance across indices for gray foxes and coyotes was consistent with hypothesized declines for gray foxes and increases for coyotes in the midwestern United States. Trends for red foxes varied depending on how we accounted for potential confounding factors and it is unclear if these trends suggest population declines or distribution shifts to urban areas with reduced trapping susceptibility. Our results highlight the importance of understanding sources of variation in harvest data and that their effects can vary across species. © 2020 The Wildlife Society. We used 42 years of data to evaluate the effects of trapper numbers, pelt price, socio‐economic factors, and weather conditions on variation in trapper harvest of red fox, gray fox, and coyote across Illinois. After controlling for the effects of these factors we found strong evidence of an increasing trend for coyotes, a decreasing trend for gray foxes, and a decreasing, yet more variable, trend for red foxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-source nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorous) from agriculture have created a massive hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. This zone contains no oxygen and is devoid of life. US Department of Agriculture programs provide direct payments to farmers to encourage adoption of practices that reduce nutrient pollution. Paying farmers to change behavior, however, is expensive. Personal and social norms may serve to reduce these payment costs by motivating farmers to take action without external reward. This study explored relationships between three normative concepts (awareness of consequences (AC), ascription of responsibility (AR), subjective norms (SN)) and Illinois farmers' intention to continue participation in conservation without financial compensation. Data were obtained from a mailed questionnaire. Only farmers who were currently being paid to participate in a conservation program were included in the analysis (n = 551). Using norm activation theory and the theory of reasoned action, we hypothesized that SN would be positively related to AC, AR, and conservation intentions without compensation. We also predicted that AC would be positively related to AR, and that AC and AR would be positively related to conservation intentions. All hypotheses were supported. Both personal norms (AC, AR) and social norms (subjective norms) were related to intentions to continue conservation without pay. Behavioral interventions that activate norms may help facilitate conservation without payments. As applied in this study, activating personal and social norms may serve to reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture that is flowing into the Gulf of Mexico and resulting in the hypoxic zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing wolf populations are a concern for wildlife managers in the Midwestern U.S. Understanding the psychological mechanisms that contribute to public perceptions of risk will enable development of strategies that seek to mitigate these risks, and suggest where outreach efforts may facilitate acceptance of wolves. We examined the psychological factors that influence Illinois residents' perceived risks from wolves. We hypothesized that individuals' perceived risks from wolves were a function of their attitudes toward wolves, negative affect toward wolves, and basic beliefs about wildlife. Data were obtained from a survey of the Illinois public (n = 784). Negative affect and attitudes toward wolves were direct predictors of perceived risks. Basic beliefs predicted attitudes and negative affect toward wolves. Negative affect predicted attitudes. Basic beliefs had direct and indirect effects on perceived risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-tailed distributions can distort findings, influence statistical tests, and result in small effect sizes. This research note proposed a definition of long-tailed distributions (i.e., SD/M ≥ 1) and developed an alternative formulation of the Cohen's d effect size based on percent differences. Three hypotheses were examined: (a) waterfowl hunter harvest distributions tend to be long-tailed distributions, (b) differences in the means of two long-tailed distributions have minimal (d <.2) effect sizes unless the percent difference exceeds 20%, and (c) a minimal effect size does not necessarily imply that the difference in means should be ignored. Data obtained from 29 (1990–2018) annual waterfowl surveys in Illinois (n = 45,978) supported all three hypotheses. Statistical and managerial implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife management often requires accurate estimates of hunter participation and species harvested. Sending pre-season hunting cards for recording activity can improve the accuracy of estimates. This research note examined the influence of record cards on the shape of waterfowl hunting survey response distributions. Data were obtained from a 2013–2014 mail survey of 1,796 waterfowl hunters in Illinois. Results indicated that individuals who received a record card were: (a) more likely to report small harvest and days hunting values (beginning of distribution), and (b) less likely to give responses that contributed to heaping (middle of distribution) compared to non-record card recipients. Record cards did not influence the end of the distribution, as frequency functions for all respondents were long-tailed distributions. Results imply that record card responses are more accurate than non-record card responses. Non-record card estimates were approximately 10% biased. Results supported continued use of record cards to limit bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk sensitivity is a predisposition to rate all risks as large. Miller and Shelby (2009) examined hunters' risk sensitivity relative to chronic wasting disease (CWD), Mad cow, E. coli, Salmonella, Lyme disease, and West Nile virus (WNV). This article replicated their analysis and compared risk sensitivity over time. Data from Illinois hunters in 2004 (n = 1,879) and 2012 (n = 3,391) showed the "no risk" cluster reported the lowest risks across all six diseases, the "moderate risk" segment always had the highest risks, and the "slight risk" group was in between. Perceived risks declined over time for CWD, Mad cow, WNV, and Lyme disease. For E. coli and Salmonella, risks increased. Collectively, however, these hunters became slightly more risk sensitive, as the proportion in the most risk sensitive group ("moderate risk") increased (19% in 2004, 26% in 2012) while the least risk sensitive group ("no risk") decreased (24%, 20%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examined relationships among value orientations (mutualism, domination), property rights, responsibility, and farmers’ willingness to adopt Leopold’s land ethic. Data were obtained from a mailed survey sent to Illinois farmers (n = 974). Domination, mutualism, property rights, and responsibility were derived from previous research. The land ethic was measured using eight variables derived from direct quotes from Leopold. Structural equation models generally supported the hypothesized relationships. Mutualism, responsibility, and property rights predicted willingness to adopt the land ethic and accounted for 72% of the variance. Mutualism positively influenced responsibility and negatively influenced rights. Domination positively predicted rights, but did not influence responsibility. Value orientations explained 65% of the variance in responsibility and 17% in rights. Overall, findings suggested a connection between social psychologists’ approach to mutualism/domination and Leopold’s land ethic. Conservation efforts that tap into deeply held value orientations may result in lasting changes in farmer behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of battery-powered spinning-wing decoys (SWDs) by duck hunters has generated questions as to the effect these decoys may have on duck harvests. I used data from the annual Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey for duck hunting seasons 1999 through 2003 to compare mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) and total duck harvest, reported days afield, and duck crippling rates between hunters using and not using SWDs. For the each of the 5 years reported, mean mallard harvest was greater among hunters using SWDs than among hunters not using the decoys and effect size was substantial (1999: F = 355.01, P < 0.001; 2000: F = 567.92, P < 0.001; 2001: F = 333.25, P < 0.001; 2002: F = 321.58, P < 0.001; 2003: F = 299.00, P < 0.001). Mean reported total ducks harvested was greater for decoy users than non-users, and I found effect sizes to be substantial for all years (1999: F = 301.80, P < 0.001; 2000: F = 607.76, P < 0.001; 2001: F = 369.49, P < 0.001; 2002: F = 321.59, P < 0.001; 2003: F = 335.82, P < 0.001). Decoy users reported hunting more days than non-users (1999: F = 71.00, P < 0.001; 2000: F = 716.50, P < 0.001; 2001: F = 486.75, P < 0.001; 2002: F = 410.72, P < 0.001; 2003: F = 466.09, P < 0.001). I observed substantial effect size for days hunted by decoy use for each year except for 1999-2000, for which effect size was typical. Hunters using SWDs reported greater crippled ducks than for hunters not using the decoys, with typical effect sizes observed for each year I examined (1999: F = 168.42, P < 0.001; 2000: F = 361.34, P < 0.001; 2001: F = 163.05, P < 0.001; 2002: F = 153.29, P < 0.001; 2003: F = 169.18, P < 0.001). I did not observe significant relationships between years of hunting experience and decoy use ( R2 range = 0.051-0.071). My findings support claims that SWDs lead to increased duck harvests. Recent actions by some state wildlife management agencies have resulted in a mixed approach toward regulating use of SWDs, ranging from prohibiting their use to removing all restrictions. This study seeks to provide managers with greater understanding of potential impacts of SWD use on waterfowl harvests. © 2011 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State wildlife agencies frequently host public meetings to gather feedback from stakeholders. We investigated differences between duck hunters attending public open houses and duck hunters statewide regarding changes in the regulatory framework for duck hunting seasons in Illinois. We administered two separate surveys to investigate potential differences between attendees at the open houses and a random sample of waterfowl hunters in Illinois. Open-house participants hunted significantly more days than mail-back participants and harvested more mallards than mail-back participants. Additionally, open-house participants hunted significantly more counties than mail-survey participants and had been hunting for more years. It is important that state wildlife agency managers understand participants in public meetings may not represent the general population, and interpreting input received from these forums should be used with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Populations of feral domestic cats have increased throughout the United States, affecting wildlife and warranting attention from a variety of management agencies. This contentious issue requires a greater understanding of public attitudes and preferences for population control. We used data from a 2004 mail survey of Illinois homeowners' attitudes toward wildlife and conservation to investigate support for the lethal control of feral cats and to examine factors (demographic, experience, and wildlife value orientations) that may influence preference for euthanasia as a management option. Community size, gender, education level, wildlife value orientations, and negative experiences with feral cats were significant predictors of preference for lethal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Populations of feral domestic cats have increased throughout the United States, affecting wildlife and warranting attention from a variety of management agencies. This contentious issue requires a greater understanding of public attitudes and preferences for population control. We used data from a 2004 mail survey of Illinois, USA, homeowners' attitudes towards wildlife and conservation to investigate support for the trap-neuter-release (TNR) of feral cats and to examine factors (demographic, experience, and wildlife values orientations) that may influence preference for TNR as a management option. Age, gender, and wildlife rights values orientations were significant predictors of preference for TNR, while negative experiences with feral cats were correlated with preferences for management options other than TNR. Investigations of public perceptions of feral cat management can help wildlife managers understand the growing public debate regarding feral cat management and provide appropriate input and educational materials regarding cat management and wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines deer hunters' general disease risk sensitivity relative to specific behaviors and beliefs about chronic wasting disease (CWD). Data were obtained from the 2003-04 Illinois Hunter Harvest Survey (n = 1521). Cluster analysis of perceived risks from CWD, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (i.e., mad cow), Salmonella, Escheria coli (E. coli), West Nile Virus, and Lyme disease identified three hunter segments (i.e., no, slight, moderate risk). The risk sensitive (moderate) group (n = 281) reported the lowest hunting participation (64%), were the most likely to change their hunting behavior due to the presence of CWD (42%), and believed that CWD was a risk to humans (81%). General sensitivity to disease risks may result in lower or altered hunting participation. Measuring perceived risk based on multiple diseases may be useful for understanding how future disease outbreaks may impact hunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictive models analyzing relationships among emotions, attitudes, behavioral intentions have inconsistently examined the implied logical flow of the concepts. This article examined two research questions. When general attitude and general emotional dispositions are predictors of support for specific wolf management actions: (a) should a direct effects, a partial mediation model, or a full mediation model be analyzed; and (b) should attitudes or emotions be the mediator? Data were obtained from a mail survey of Illinois residents (n = 2,634, response rate = 48%). Five structural equation models were examined. The partial mediation model with attitude as the mediator had the best fit, followed by the partial mediation model with emotion as the mediator. Both positive and negative emotions were more strongly related to support for wolf management than attitude. This may have occurred because a general attitude, as opposed to a specific attitude, was examined. This article examined behavioral intentions; future research should measure actual behaviors or reported behaviors. • Research has empirically examined different path models for the relationships among emotions, attitudes, and behaviors: Emotion → Attitude → Behavior Attitude → Emotion → Behavior • Using structural equation analyses, this article compared five nested path models for both formulations of the relationships. • The partial mediation model with attitude as the mediator had the best fit for the data. • Both positive and negative emotional dispositions had a larger relationship with support for wolf management than attitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesized that hunters' use of approximate responses for participation and harvest survey questions was prompted by the cognitive complexity of giving an exact answer. Approximate responses we considered were: (1) rounding days of participation and harvest to numbers ending in zero or 5 (0-5 prototypes) and (2) multiplying days of participation by an integer to approximate harvest. Both types of survey responses result in response heaps (spikes in the data) that can introduce bias. Our analyses were based on the frequency of responses in heaps relative to all responses in a neighborhood (a set of responses close to each other). Data from the Illinois hunter harvest survey (1998-2000) showed that the relative frequency of using approximate responses in a neighborhood was statistically constant across years and species despite differences in day-harvest frequencies. Our results supported accepting the hypothesis that survey responses are influenced by the cognitive complexity of formulating a response. We discuss the following strategies for identifying, reducing, and correcting bias in estimates derived from surveys: (1) basic research to identify the extent to which respondents use prototypes when answering participation and harvest questions; (2) survey methodology modifications to increase the accuracy of answers; and (3) the development of bias correction factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have indicated a broad-based support for open space preservation and protection. Research also has characterized the public values and rationale that underlie the widespread support for open space. In recognition of the widespread public support for open space, various levels of government have implemented programs to provide public access to open space. There are many different types of open space, ranging from golf courses, ball parks, wildlife areas, and prairies, to name a few. This paper addresses questions related to the types of open space that should be prioritized by planners and natural resource managers. The results of this study are based on a stratified random sample of 5000 households in Illinois that were sent a questionnaire related to their support for various types of open space. Through a comparatively simple action grid analysis, the open space types that should be prioritized for public access include forest areas, stream corridors, wildlife habitat, and lakes/ponds. These were the open space types rated of the highest importance, yet were also the open space types rated the lowest in respondent satisfaction. This kind of analysis does not require the technical expertise of other options for land-use prioritizations (e.g., conjoint analysis, contingent valuation), yet provides important policy directives for planners. Although open space funds often allow for purchase of developed sites such as golf courses, ball parks, and community parks, this study indicates that undeveloped (or nature-based) open space lands are most needed in Illinois. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines individual and situational influences on declining hunter effort in Illinois. Data were obtained from a self-administered mail survey of 2,872 (response rate = 67%) resident hunters in Illinois. A series of four separate logistic regressions were constructed to model demographics, past experience, and perceived personal and situational constraints related to declining hunter effort. A final model included variables from each of the separate regressions. Nine variables were significant predictors of hunter effort in the final model: four perceived personal constraints (lack of time, interest, finances, and poor health), three situational constraints (not enough game, no land available for hunting, and too many regulations), and two past experience variables (years of hunting experience and days afield during prior season). None of the demographic variables had a significant influence on hunter effort after controlling for the other predictors in the model. The final model that included past experience and the two sets of perceived constraint measures (personal and situational) explained 91% of the variance and correctly classified 97% of hunters in both the "decreased" and "did not decrease" categories. Discussion focuses on the need for understanding perceived constraints to hunting participation that are within the control of management agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes specific regulatory provisions of a program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to establish qualifications for issuance of permits to wildlife control operators (WCO), standards for animal welfare and restrictions on business practices such as translocation. Permit application requirements and procedures for issuance and revocation; Trends in licensing and WCO activities; Management implications.

Digit preference is a form of response error whereby individuals report behaviors such as days of participation in numbers ending in zero or five. Keeping seasonal records may decrease digit preference and provide more accurate records of recreationists' behaviors. This study tested the effect of providing a preseason harvest card for recording harvest during the season in reducing digit preference among waterfowl hunters in Illinois. Reported mallard duck (Anas platyrhyncus) harvests were tested for individual digit preference (IDP) and aggregate digit preference (ADP). Individual digit preference among the harvest card group approximated the expected probability (22%), whereas the group with no harvest card exhibited IDP of 31%, which is a significant difference. Aggregate digit preference was 9% for the harvest card group and 18% for the group without harvest cards. Given the level of digit preference, it may have an impact on wildlife harvest estimates based on self-reported counts provided via mail surveys. This study supports previous work that suggests record-keeping on the part of recreation participants provides a means to decrease harvest estimate digit preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on reported harvest and days afield among waterfowl hunters. The Illinois Natural History Survey has performed annual harvest surveys of waterfowl hunters in Illinois starting in 1981. A random sample of 5,000 waterfowl stamp purchasers is chosen and mailed a pre-season harvest record card each year.

Presents the results of several mail surveys conducted in Illinois assessing deer hunter participation and chronic wasting disease (CWD) at time zero. Discovery of CWD in the state in 2002; Discussion on the data gathered based on the surveys; Views of hunters on the degree of possibility of humans contracting CWD.

The article presents an overview of a study which compared Internet use by hunters in Illinois from hunter harvest survey conducted in Illinois from 2000-2001 and 2010-2011. The study revealed a differences in the age distribution of hunters, hunters who owned computers in their residence and hunters who used the Internet in purchasing hunting licenses and/or habitat stamps. The relationship between annual income levels and use of the Internet is also evaluated in this study.

No abstract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on hunter perceptions and behaviors related to chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Northern Illinois. Overview of CWD; Influence of CW on hunting participation of hunters; Sources of information on CWD.

Focuses on the Illinois Snow Goose Hunter Survey, a mail survey that investigates harvest, days afield and hunter behavior relative to the Conservation Order season. Number of hunters participating in the 1999 season; Level of snow goose harvest; Trends in hunter behavior.

Presents the results of a survey among duck hunters regarding their use of battery-operated, rotating-wing decoys during the 1999-2000 Illinois water-fowl season. Percentage of hunters who used the device; Duck harvests between rotating-wing decoy users and non-users.

Understanding sources of difference in public attitudes toward wildlife is critical for the design of effective policy instruments. In this article we explored the role of wildlife value orientations and stakeholder group membership (general public versus agricultural producers) in shaping residents support for the natural recolonization of apex predators (black bear, cougar, gray wolf), in Illinois, USA. Results demonstrate differences in attitudes toward recolonization as a function of residents' basic beliefs about the human-wildlife relationship and stakeholder group membership. Results revealed varying degrees of opposition and/or antipathy toward recolonization of apex predators across wildlife values types and stakeholder groups. Individuals that were identified to hold utilitarian beliefs about wildlife (traditionalist orientation) and agricultural producers were found to exhibit the most negative attitudes toward natural recolonization, compared to individuals that believe wildlife have intrinsic rights (mutualist orientation) or members of the general public. Individuals' attitudes toward the recolonization of black bears were found to differ according to their wildlife value orientations, stakeholder group membership, and the combination of the two factors.