Student: Kyle Smith, Ph.D. candidate in Conservation Sciences
Principal Investigators: David Fulton and Adam Landon
Funding: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Beginning in 2019, Kyle Smith has worked in close collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) to design and implement a series of social science studies to better understand deer hunter participation and the potential impacts of chronic wasting disease and its management on Minnesota’s deer hunters. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease found in wild and domestic populations of cervid. Once an individual is infected, there is no treatment, and it is always fatal. To combat the spread of CWD in the state, the MNDNR developed and implemented a surveillance and management plan for CWD.
The purpose of the 2019 Study of Minnesota Deer Hunters was to survey the opinions and preferences related to deer hunting and future regulations related to CWD held by active deer hunters. By studying the opinions and behaviors of Minnesota hunters, this study helps to identify potential pathways of CWD transmission risk via post-harvest human behaviors, including carcass movement, processing and disposal. It also evaluates support for future potential management actions, including restrictions on carcass movement, expansion of disease management zones, or increasing the bag limit during the firearm season to help manage deer densities. The purpose of the 2021 Minnesota Lapsed Deer Hunter Study was to assess the motivations and perceived constraints of deer hunters that have lapsed participation. This study was designed to gather information about these stakeholders’ previous hunting involvement and behaviors; perceived constraints to hunting; motivations related to hunting; salience of the hunting identity; attitudes towards management; and reasons for initial participation.
Study reports will be available on the DNR website soon. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wildlife/research/surveys/deer/index.html