Attitudes of residents toward wolves in a rural community in
Transcript Of Attitudes of residents toward wolves in a rural community in
University of Montana
ScholarWorks at University of Montana
Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers
Graduate School
1996
Attitudes of residents toward wolves in a rural community in northwestern Montana
Rachel C. Wolstenholme The University of Montana
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd
Let us know how access to this document benefits you.
Recommended Citation Wolstenholme, Rachel C., "Attitudes of residents toward wolves in a rural community in northwestern Montana" (1996). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 1629. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/1629
This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]
Maureen and Mike
MANSFIELD LffiRARY
The University ofMONTANA
Pennission is granted by tlie- author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided tliat tliis material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports.
** Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature
Yes, I grant permission No, I do not grant permission
Author's Signature
f.
^
Date
i/,
Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author's explicit consent.
ATTITUDES OF RESIDENTS TOWARD WOLVES IN A RURAL COMMUNITY
IN NORTHWESTERN MONTANA
Rachel C. Wolstenholme presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Master of Science The University of Montana
1996
Approved by; Chairperson Dean, Graduate School Date
UMI Number: EP34899
All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion.
DtoaartaUon RublWiing
UMI EP34899 Published by ProQuest LLC (2012). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author.
Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway
P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346
Wolstenholme, Rachel C., M. S., December 1996
Enviromnental Studies
Attitudes of Residents Toward Wolves in a Rural Community in Northwestern Montana (101 pp.)
Committee Chairperson: William Chaloupka
Because hxm\an-caused wolf mortality is a limit to natural wolf recovery in the West, tmderstanding the attitudes of residents within wolf range could allow wildlife managers to promote greater tolerance of wolves through management policies. A mail survey was sent to residents of the Ninemile Valley, Missoula Cotmty, Montana to investigate the attitudes of residents within wolf range. Respondents were questioned about their attitudes toward wolves and wolf management policies. Most respondents were supportive of continued wolf presence in the vaUey. Respondents' gender, education, and .number of years of residency in Ninemile were related to their attitudes. Livestock producers were among the respondents who were un-supportive. Hunters were also less supportive than in other studies. The main reason some respondents were not supportive of wolves was a perceived decline in game numbers. Two policies were perceived by approximately one third of the respondents as promoting local residents' tolerance of wolves: a livestock depredation reimbursement fund and biologists conducting research on wolves locally. Most respondents did not report a change in their attitudes toward wolves over time. However, management policies have potential to impact peoples' attitudes either positively or negatively. Management recommendations based on peoples' attitudes are: minimize land use restrictions related to wolf recovery, establish and maintain communication between wildlife managers and local residents, guarantee a compensation fimd for wolf-caused livestock depredation, research wolves' impact on local game populations, promote long term education in schools on wolves and ecology, and create a flexible wolf control policy that can both, address residents' concerns and achieve wolf recovery goals.
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, I would like to thank all residents of the Ninemile Valley who participated in this project and shared their thoughts on wolves with me. I would also like to thank my committee: Bill Chaloupka, the committee chairperson, for his strong support; Len Broberg, for his excellent editing advise; Bob Ream, for his continued support and insight; and Mike Jimenez, for editing assistance and for introducing me to the Ninemile Valley in the first place. I also want to thai\k my friends and family for all their suggestions, support, and enthusiasm. I owe many thanks to Dennis and Chuck, two Sociology statisticians who patiently lead me through the analysis of my data; to Professors Becky Richards and Dan Pletscher, who withstood my endless questions; and to all the people who assisted in the review of the survey questiormaire. Finally, I'd like to acknowledge and thank Nic Evans, the Environmental Studies Program, The Alliance for the Wild Rockies, and Defenders of Wildlife for fimding assistance.
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter
I
INTRODUCTION
1
Controversy over wolf recovery
1
A brief history of wolf control in the U. S.
3
Current Attitudes
4
n METHODS
11
Site description
11
Qata collection
11
Data analysis
16
Measures of attitude
18
m RESULTS
20
Questionnaire response rate
20
Attitudes
20
Demographics and attitude
21
Fear of wolves and attitude
21
Special Interests and attitude
23
Attitude changes over time
25
Management policies promoting tolerance
25
Reasons for support and tolerance
34
Reasons for no support and less tolerance
35
Specific wolf management policies
36
Sources of information about wolves
41
Interview results
41
IV DISCUSSION
43
Response rate and bias
43
Factors influencing attitudes
44
Changes in attitudes
53
Conclusions and management recommendations
71
APPENDICES
78
LITERATURE CITED
98
iv
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Page
1 Do you hope wolves continue to inhabit the Ninemile Valley?
24
2 Mean Attitude Scores by Level of Education
24
3 How many years have you lived in the Ninemile Valley?
24
4 Eight or more years ago, before wolf presence in the Ninemile
Valley, your opinion of wolves was...
24
5 Having a biologist work in areas where both wolves and humans are
present would lead to greater acceptance of wolves by local
residents.
27
6 It is a good idea to have a biologist working in areas where both
wolves and people are present.
27
7 The program for financial reimbursement of verified wolf-related
livestock depredation makes the presence of wolves in the Ninemile
Valley easier to tolerate.
27
8 Responses of cattle producers: The program for financial
reimbursement of verified wolf-related livestock depredation
makes the presence of wolves in the Ninemile Valley easier to
tolerate.
29
9 Reimbursement for the market value of a cow killed by wolves
is not enough to make up for both the loss of the cow and the
inconvenience to the rancher.
29
10 Impacts of hypothetical scenarios on wolf supporters' opinions
31
11 Impacts of hypothetical scenarios on "anti-wolf" residents'
opinions
31
v
12 Impacts of hypothetical scenarios on neutral residents' opinions 33
13 Impacts of hypothetical scenarios on neutral residents' opinions 33
14 To keep a pack of wolves from reaching the highest niunber the
land can naturally support, some wolves from that pack should be
relocated out of the area.
37
15 If the number of wolves in Montana reaches the recovery goal
numbers stated in the Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan (as
developed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service), a regulated
harvest season for wolves should be opened.
37
16 If a wolf kills livestock for the first time, that wolf should be...
37
17 If a wolf kills pets, that wolf should be...
39
18 If pets are killed by wolves the owners should be reimbursed for
their losses.
39
19 If research must be conducted on wolves in Montana, it should be
funded by...
39
20 When wolves inhabit areas close to people, it is important to
conduct research projects to study wolf movements.
40
21 Sources of information about wolves
40
vi
ScholarWorks at University of Montana
Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers
Graduate School
1996
Attitudes of residents toward wolves in a rural community in northwestern Montana
Rachel C. Wolstenholme The University of Montana
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd
Let us know how access to this document benefits you.
Recommended Citation Wolstenholme, Rachel C., "Attitudes of residents toward wolves in a rural community in northwestern Montana" (1996). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 1629. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/1629
This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]
Maureen and Mike
MANSFIELD LffiRARY
The University ofMONTANA
Pennission is granted by tlie- author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided tliat tliis material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports.
** Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature
Yes, I grant permission No, I do not grant permission
Author's Signature
f.
^
Date
i/,
Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author's explicit consent.
ATTITUDES OF RESIDENTS TOWARD WOLVES IN A RURAL COMMUNITY
IN NORTHWESTERN MONTANA
Rachel C. Wolstenholme presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Master of Science The University of Montana
1996
Approved by; Chairperson Dean, Graduate School Date
UMI Number: EP34899
All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion.
DtoaartaUon RublWiing
UMI EP34899 Published by ProQuest LLC (2012). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author.
Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway
P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346
Wolstenholme, Rachel C., M. S., December 1996
Enviromnental Studies
Attitudes of Residents Toward Wolves in a Rural Community in Northwestern Montana (101 pp.)
Committee Chairperson: William Chaloupka
Because hxm\an-caused wolf mortality is a limit to natural wolf recovery in the West, tmderstanding the attitudes of residents within wolf range could allow wildlife managers to promote greater tolerance of wolves through management policies. A mail survey was sent to residents of the Ninemile Valley, Missoula Cotmty, Montana to investigate the attitudes of residents within wolf range. Respondents were questioned about their attitudes toward wolves and wolf management policies. Most respondents were supportive of continued wolf presence in the vaUey. Respondents' gender, education, and .number of years of residency in Ninemile were related to their attitudes. Livestock producers were among the respondents who were un-supportive. Hunters were also less supportive than in other studies. The main reason some respondents were not supportive of wolves was a perceived decline in game numbers. Two policies were perceived by approximately one third of the respondents as promoting local residents' tolerance of wolves: a livestock depredation reimbursement fund and biologists conducting research on wolves locally. Most respondents did not report a change in their attitudes toward wolves over time. However, management policies have potential to impact peoples' attitudes either positively or negatively. Management recommendations based on peoples' attitudes are: minimize land use restrictions related to wolf recovery, establish and maintain communication between wildlife managers and local residents, guarantee a compensation fimd for wolf-caused livestock depredation, research wolves' impact on local game populations, promote long term education in schools on wolves and ecology, and create a flexible wolf control policy that can both, address residents' concerns and achieve wolf recovery goals.
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, I would like to thank all residents of the Ninemile Valley who participated in this project and shared their thoughts on wolves with me. I would also like to thank my committee: Bill Chaloupka, the committee chairperson, for his strong support; Len Broberg, for his excellent editing advise; Bob Ream, for his continued support and insight; and Mike Jimenez, for editing assistance and for introducing me to the Ninemile Valley in the first place. I also want to thai\k my friends and family for all their suggestions, support, and enthusiasm. I owe many thanks to Dennis and Chuck, two Sociology statisticians who patiently lead me through the analysis of my data; to Professors Becky Richards and Dan Pletscher, who withstood my endless questions; and to all the people who assisted in the review of the survey questiormaire. Finally, I'd like to acknowledge and thank Nic Evans, the Environmental Studies Program, The Alliance for the Wild Rockies, and Defenders of Wildlife for fimding assistance.
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter
I
INTRODUCTION
1
Controversy over wolf recovery
1
A brief history of wolf control in the U. S.
3
Current Attitudes
4
n METHODS
11
Site description
11
Qata collection
11
Data analysis
16
Measures of attitude
18
m RESULTS
20
Questionnaire response rate
20
Attitudes
20
Demographics and attitude
21
Fear of wolves and attitude
21
Special Interests and attitude
23
Attitude changes over time
25
Management policies promoting tolerance
25
Reasons for support and tolerance
34
Reasons for no support and less tolerance
35
Specific wolf management policies
36
Sources of information about wolves
41
Interview results
41
IV DISCUSSION
43
Response rate and bias
43
Factors influencing attitudes
44
Changes in attitudes
53
Conclusions and management recommendations
71
APPENDICES
78
LITERATURE CITED
98
iv
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Page
1 Do you hope wolves continue to inhabit the Ninemile Valley?
24
2 Mean Attitude Scores by Level of Education
24
3 How many years have you lived in the Ninemile Valley?
24
4 Eight or more years ago, before wolf presence in the Ninemile
Valley, your opinion of wolves was...
24
5 Having a biologist work in areas where both wolves and humans are
present would lead to greater acceptance of wolves by local
residents.
27
6 It is a good idea to have a biologist working in areas where both
wolves and people are present.
27
7 The program for financial reimbursement of verified wolf-related
livestock depredation makes the presence of wolves in the Ninemile
Valley easier to tolerate.
27
8 Responses of cattle producers: The program for financial
reimbursement of verified wolf-related livestock depredation
makes the presence of wolves in the Ninemile Valley easier to
tolerate.
29
9 Reimbursement for the market value of a cow killed by wolves
is not enough to make up for both the loss of the cow and the
inconvenience to the rancher.
29
10 Impacts of hypothetical scenarios on wolf supporters' opinions
31
11 Impacts of hypothetical scenarios on "anti-wolf" residents'
opinions
31
v
12 Impacts of hypothetical scenarios on neutral residents' opinions 33
13 Impacts of hypothetical scenarios on neutral residents' opinions 33
14 To keep a pack of wolves from reaching the highest niunber the
land can naturally support, some wolves from that pack should be
relocated out of the area.
37
15 If the number of wolves in Montana reaches the recovery goal
numbers stated in the Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan (as
developed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service), a regulated
harvest season for wolves should be opened.
37
16 If a wolf kills livestock for the first time, that wolf should be...
37
17 If a wolf kills pets, that wolf should be...
39
18 If pets are killed by wolves the owners should be reimbursed for
their losses.
39
19 If research must be conducted on wolves in Montana, it should be
funded by...
39
20 When wolves inhabit areas close to people, it is important to
conduct research projects to study wolf movements.
40
21 Sources of information about wolves
40
vi