CWD After “the Fire”: Six Reasons Why Hunters Resisted Wisconsin's Eradication Effort

Abstract

Eight years after undertaking an unprecedented attempt to eradicate chronic wasting disease (CWD) from its free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population, Wisconsin wildlife managers are rethinking their strategies in the face of public opposition to their efforts. This article draws on a dozen surveys of hunters and landowners to identify six psychological bases that created deer hunter opposition to the Wisconsin plan. These include opposition to the population goal, conflicts with traditions, conflicts with consumption norms, the uncertainty of the plan's efficacy, and perceived lack of credibility in the agency. We argue that these six clusters of attitudinal beliefs made it unlikely that hunter support could have been cultivated regardless of the scope or pace of the CWD eradication effort. Our findings call into question the use of recreational hunting as a viable tool for bringing about severe deer population reductions for disease management.

Towards ecologically meaningful and socially acceptable buffers: Response distances of shorebirds in Victoria, Australia, to human disturbance

“…An understanding of the human dimensions of wildlife management efforts, such as the establishment of buffers, is critical if such efforts require broad community support and acceptance to be effective. It is widely accepted that wildlife management programs, which exclude human social considerations, risk low compliance or even failure (e.g., Holsman, Petchenik, & Cooney, 2010). Thus, this study also includes human opinions of various buffer options.…”

Deer density and disease prevalence influence transmission of chronic wasting disease in white‐tailed deer

“…Understanding this relationship will help guide management decisions, which is especially important in light of the public controversy over the effects of culling and other regulations intended to reduce deer populations (Holsman et al 2010). Using data on CWD-infection and deer density, we investigated whether CWD transmission in white-tailed deer is better described as frequency-dependent, density-dependent, or by an intermediate form.…”

Influences on Hunter Support for Deer Herd Reduction as a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Strategy

“…Yet Peterson et al (2006) concluded that hunters would support severe deer density reductions on the basis of their study of a hypothetical disease with similar characteristics (i.e., dreadful and uncertain) to CWD (Slovic, 1987). Their conclusion appears incongruent with experiences in both Michigan and Wisconsin where broad support for disease eradication has not translated into specific support for deer herd reduction as a strategy (Dorn & Mertig, 2005;Holsman & Cooney, 2007) or widespread participation in the deer reduction effort (Holsman & Petchenik, 2006). This raises questions about the role of risk perceptions in hunter support for deer density reduction.…”