Lead shot bans for dove hunting have been proposed in several states of the U.S., however this action has been contentious. Lead shot has been banned for use in waterfowl hunting throughout the United States since 1994. During 2012, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was exploring a ban on lead shot for dove hunting. The purpose of this study was to examine hunter attitudes and beliefs toward use of nontoxic shot for dove hunting in Illinois, specifically between waterfowl and non-waterfowl hunters.
Data were collected through a mail survey of dove hunters in Illinois beginning 29 November 2012 and ending 5 April 2013. Samples of 3,000 hunters who reported they had hunted doves were selected from registrants of the Illinois Harvest Information Program (HIP) for each of the years 2009, 2010, and 2011, for a total sample of 9,000. The independent variable was hunter participation in waterfowl hunting and dependent variables were beliefs toward nontoxic shot and support for a ban on use of lead. The questionnaire contained 10 statements measuring beliefs about effectiveness, need, and expense regarding lead versus nontoxic shot. A total of 5,151 completed questionnaires were received for a response rate of 59%.
Independent samples t-tests (2-tailed) compared responses for belief statements from dove hunters with waterfowl hunting experience and those with no waterfowl hunting experience. Significant differences (p < .001) were found for 7 of the 10 statements; hunters with waterfowl hunting experience responded more negatively for statements regarding effectiveness and need for nontoxic shot. Differences for expense of nontoxic shot were not significant. Significant differences (t = 2.17, p=.03) were reported for support for a ban on lead shot, with waterfowl hunters less supportive than non-waterfowl hunters. Discussion will focus on beliefs about lead versus nontoxic alternatives in hunting and management, and implications of hunter beliefs in current efforts to ban lead for use in hunting.
