CWD perceptions among archery, firearm, and muzzleloader hunters

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal disease affecting deer, elk, and moose. The disease was first discovered in Illinois in one northern county in 2002 and is currently in 13 counties in the state, with 610 known cases.... [ view full abstract ]

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal disease affecting deer, elk, and moose. The disease was first discovered in Illinois in one northern county in 2002 and is currently in 13 counties in the state, with 610 known cases. This article examined Illinois deer hunters perceptions of trust in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) CWD information and management, and perceived risks to both humans and the deer herd. Hunters were classified as 1) archery, 2) firearm, 3) muzzleloader, 4) archery and firearm, 5) archery and muzzleloader, 6) firearm and muzzleloader, and 7) archery, firearm, and muzzleloader. Four hypotheses were advanced. Different types of hunters (e.g., archery, firearm, muzzleloader) will vary in terms of their trust in IDNR CWD information (H₁), trust in IDNR CWD management (H₂), perceived risk to human health (H₃), and perceived risk to deer herd health (H₄). Data were obtained from a 2012 mail survey was sent to 10,261 Illinois deer hunters stratified by deer permit type: archery, firearm and muzzleloader permits. Trust in information was measured using five variables (Cronbach’s alpha = .94) and trust in management with three variables (Alpha = .93); both sets of variables coded on 7-point bipolar scales. Perceived risk to human health was measured using one 4-point unipolar variable and three 7-point bipolar variables (Alpha = .83). Perceived risk to deer herd health was measured using one 4-point unipolar variable and four 7-point bipolar variables (Alpha = .92). Based on a series of one-way ANOVA models, all four hypotheses were supported. Significant differences were found among hunter types for perceptions of trust in IDNR (both information and management) and perceived CWD risks (both humans and the deer population). The means plots from the ANOVAs showed similar patterns across all dependent variables. Archery deer hunters, either alone or in combination with other types on hunting, reported less trust in IDNR and less risk from CWD than firearm or muzzleloader hunters. Muzzleloader hunters consistently reported the most trust in IDNR and most risk from CWD. Discussion highlights the theoretical and management implications of these findings.