The effects of expectations, motivations, and constraints on small game hunters’ seasonal satisfaction
Kiley M. Davan
A C * , Neelam C. Poudyal A , Roger D. Applegate B and Jamie C. Feddersen B
A School of Natural Resources, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
B Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Nashville, TN, USA.
C Present address: Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
Abstract
Recent declines in small game hunting participation are concerning because of the resulting decline in conservation funding generated from hunting. Combatting hunting participation declines requires understanding what impacts hunters’ satisfaction. Literature on hunter satisfaction has primarily focused on big game hunters, elements of which may not apply to small game hunters.
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of various harvest and non-harvest factors on Tennessee small game hunters’ satisfaction.
After the 2019–2020 small game hunting season ended, a sample of 15 115 Tennessee hunters and trappers was asked to participate in a mix-mode questionnaire related to their expectations, harvest, motivations, constraints, and satisfaction.
In total, 3994 individuals responded to the questionnaire and 1440 reported they participated in the 2019–2020 hunting and trapping season, 634 of which hunted small game. A path analysis showed that small game hunters’ seasonal satisfaction was influenced by expectations, appreciative motivations, structural and interpersonal constraints, satisfaction with the number of game animals seen and harvested, use of public land, and harvest success.
Various activity-related factors significantly impact small game hunters’ seasonal satisfaction.
These findings shed light on the various factors that influence small game hunters’ seasonal satisfaction and could help wildlife agencies develop programming to help retain current small game hunters. To improve small game hunters’ seasonal satisfaction, we suggest agencies focus on addressing structural constraints, fostering realistic expectations, and providing opportunities to fulfil appreciative motivations.
Keywords: constraints, expectations, harvest, motivations, non-harvest, path analysis, satisfaction, small game hunting, structural equation modelling.
References
Bradshaw L, Holsman RH, Petchenik J, Finger T (2019) Meeting harvest expectations is key for duck hunter satisfaction. Wildlife Society Bulletin 43, 102-111.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Brunke KD, Hunt KM (2007) Comparison of two approaches for the measurement of waterfowl hunter satisfaction. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 12, 443-457.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Brunke KD, Hunt KM (2008) Mississippi waterfowl hunter expectations, satisfaction, and intentions to hunt in the future. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 13, 317-328.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Davan KM (2021) An assessment of small game hunters’ and trappers’ motivations, satisfaction, and constraints. Master’s thesis, University of Tennessee. TRACE. Available at https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/6224
Decker DJ, Brown TL, Gutiérrez RJ (1980) Further insights into the multiple-satisfactions approach for hunter management. Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006) 8, 323-331.
| Google Scholar |
Decker DJ, Provencher RW, Brown TL (1984) Antecedents to hunting participation: an exploratory study of the social-psychological determinants on initiation, continuation, and desertion in hunting. Cornell University, Department of Natural Resources, Outdoor Recreation Research Unit Publication No. W-146-R-8, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Dickson S, Hall TE (2006) An examination of whitewater boaters’ expectations: are pre-trip and post-trip measures consistent? Leisure Sciences 28, 1-16.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Gigliotti LM (2000) A classification scheme to better understand satisfaction of Black Hills deer hunters: the role of harvest success. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 5, 32-51.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Graefe AR, Fedler AJ (1986) Situational and subjective determinants of satisfaction in marine recreational fishing. Leisure Sciences 8, 275-295.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Gruntorad MP, Lusk JJ, Vrtiska MP, Chizinski CJ (2020) Identifying factors influencing hunter satisfaction across hunting activities in Nebraska. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 25, 215-231.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Hammitt WE, McDonald CD, Patterson ME (1990) Determinants of multiple satisfaction for deer hunting. Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006) 18, 331-337.
| Google Scholar |
Hautaluoma J, Brown PJ (1978) Attributes of the deer hunting experience: a cluster-analytic study. Journal of Leisure Research 10, 271-287.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Hayslette SE, Armstrong JB, Mirarchi RE (2001) Mourning dove hunting in Alabama: motivations, satisfactions, and sociocultural influences. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 6, 81-95.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Heberlein TA (1992) Reducing hunter perception of crowding through information. Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006) 20, 372-374.
| Google Scholar |
Hinrichs MP, Vrtiska MP, Pegg MA, Chizinski CJ (2021) Motivations to participate in hunting and angling: a comparison among preferred activities and state of residence. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 26, 576-595.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Hu L-t, Bentler PM (1999) Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal 6, 1-55.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Metcalf EC, Graefe AR, Trauntvein NE, Burns RC (2015) Understanding hunting constraints and negotiation strategies: a typology of female hunters. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 20, 30-46.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Miller C, Vaske J (2003) Individual and situational influences on declining hunter effort in Illinois. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 8, 263-276.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Oliver RL (1980) A cognitive model of the antecedents and consequences of satisfaction decisions. Journal of Marketing Research 17, 460-469.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Pearson (2019) Idaho’s early small game opportunities are a great gateway for new hunters. Available at https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/idahos-early-small-game-opportunities-are-great-gateway-new-hunters [Accessed 20 August 2022]
Price Tack JL, McGowan CP, Ditchkoff SS, Morse WC, Robinson OJ (2018) Managing the vanishing North American hunter: a novel framework to address declines in hunters and hunter-generated conservation funds. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 23, 515-532.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Schroeder SA, Fulton DC, Lawrence JS (2006) Managing for preferred hunting experiences: a typology of Minnesota waterfowl hunters. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34, 380-387.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Schroeder SA, Fulton DC, Lawrence JS, Cordts SD (2012) An application and extension of the constraints–effects–mitigation model to Minnesota waterfowl hunting. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 17, 174-192.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Schroeder SA, Cornicelli L, Fulton DC, Merchant SS (2019a) The influence of motivation versus experience on recreation satisfaction: how appreciative- versus achievement-oriented recreation experience preferences relate to hunter satisfaction. Journal of Leisure Research 50, 107-131.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Schroeder SA, Fulton DC, Cornicelli L, Cordts SD, Lawrence JS (2019b) Clarifying how hunt-specific experiences affect satisfaction among more avid and less avid waterfowl hunters. Wildlife Society Bulletin 43, 455-467.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Spencer PD, Spangler GR (1992) Effect that providing fishing information has on angler expectations and satisfaction. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 12, 379-385.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Vaske JJ, Fedler AJ, Graefe AR (1986) Multiple determinants of satisfaction from a specific waterfowl hunting trip. Leisure Sciences 8, 149-166.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Watkins C, Poudyal NC, Caplenor C, Buehler D, Applegate R (2018) Motivations and support for regulations: a typology of eastern wild turkey hunters. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 23, 433-445.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
White DD (2008) A structural model of leisure constraints negotiation in outdoor recreation. Leisure Sciences 30, 342-359.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
Worthington RL, Whittaker TA (2006) Scale development research: a content analysis and recommendations for best practices. The Counseling Psychologist 34, 806-838.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
