Wildlife Viewing

Over the past decade, participation in wildlife viewing, specifically wildlife viewing around the home, has been increasing, according to both the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and Responsive Management research.

Wildlife and wildlife viewing are very important to Americans. Several Responsive Management studies have documented the importance of wildlife and wildlife viewing opportunities. For example, 88% of the general population indicated that they think it is very important that people have the opportunity to view wildlife in their state in a regional study of the southeast United States on attitudes toward fish and wildlife issues conducted by Responsive Management. In a study conducted in Pennsylvania, Responsive Management found that 90% of Pennsylvania residents felt it was very or somewhat important for the Fish & Boat and Game Commissions to provide wildlife viewing opportunities. In a Texas study, 80% of state residents felt it was very important that wildlife exists in Texas, and 74% felt that the opportunity to view wildlife was very important.

In another Responsive Management study, a majority (62%) of nonresidential wildlife viewers (those who take a trip to view wildlife away from home) in Virginia indicated that they agree that a lot of wildlife viewers violate wildlife laws or practice unethical behavior. Most commonly, they believe that violators get too close to wildlife, feed wildlife, or negatively impact habitats. The majority (69%) of the general population in Arizona disagree that it is okay to feed wildlife, and 74% would support a law making it illegal to feed wildlife in certain areas or in certain situations in which wildlife feeding might cause nuisance problems.

Successful watchable wildlife programs should meet both the needs of the viewer and the habitat protection objectives of the natural resource manager. Watchable wildlife programs should blend the needs of wildlife viewers with the realities and constraints of resource protection and wildlife management objectives. Consistent with the goal of resource protection, Responsive Management studies indicate that the public strongly supports habitat protection even if it means limiting recreational opportunities. In fact, although providing various wildlife-associated recreational opportunities ranked high in importance, conserving fish and wildlife habitat and enforcing fish and game laws ranked higher in importance in a Texas study conducted by Responsive Management.

Recent examples of Responsive Management’s research on wildlife viewing include the following:

Participation in and Opinions on Birding in Florida and Satisfaction with the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail: This study was conducted for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to assess residents’ and tourists’ participation in and opinions on birding in Florida, including their use of and satisfaction with the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. The study entailed a Web survey of individuals who had gone birding in Florida at some point.
Arizona Residents’ Attitudes Toward Nongame Wildlife: This study was conducted to assess Arizona residents’ attitudes and behaviors toward nongame-related outdoor activities, as well as their opinions on the importance of various Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) programs and the performance of the AGFD.
West Virginia Residents’ Attitudes Toward Wildlife, Their Participation in Wildlife-Related Recreation, and Their Consumption of Fish Caught in West Virginia: This study entailed a telephone survey to determine West Virginia residents’ attitudes toward wildlife, their participation in wildlife-related activities, their consumption of fish caught in West Virginia, and their attitudes toward fish consumption advisories.
Virginia House Bill 38 and Future Directions for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries: House Bill 38 provides the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries with significant funding based on wildlife-associated recreation other than hunting, fishing or boating. This comprehensive study of all constituent groups was implemented to assess Virginia residents’ and Department constituents’ attitudes and opinions toward the Department. The constituent surveys of wildlife enthusiasts, hunters, anglers, boaters, and landowners focused on specific issues as they related to each particular group.
Vermont Residents’ Opinions and Attitudes Toward Species Management: A telephone survey of Vermont residents was conducted to assess their opinions on and attitudes toward habitat protection, nuisance wildlife, and population levels for specific species, as well as their participation in wildlife viewing and hunting. The study was used to provide input for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s species management plans.
Americans and Wildlife Diversity—Public Opinion, Attitudes, Interest, and Participation In Wildlife Viewing and Wildlife Diversity Programs: Responsive Management completed a literature review and focus groups for this study to determine and understand public opinions on, attitudes toward, and interest and participation in wildlife viewing and wildlife diversity programs. The study was used to assist the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in the planning, development, and implementation of wildlife diversity programs.
Wildlife Viewing in Maryland—Participation, Opinions, and Attitudes of Adult Maryland Residents Regarding a Watchable Wildlife Program: This telephone survey of Maryland residents was conducted to assess their behaviors and attitudes toward wildlife viewing in Maryland. The study was used to help the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division, effectively plan wildlife viewing programs and facilities.
Florida Wildlife Viewing Guide Marketing Plan: Responsive Management developed a marketing plan for the Florida Wildlife Viewing Guide based on focus groups and a survey of wildlife viewers. The study focused on wildlife viewers’ perceptions of the proposed guide, their opinions on specific aspects of the guide such as the icons, and their likelihood to purchase the guide.
Wildlife Viewing Guides: Responsive Management Executive Director Mark Damian Duda is the author of three wildlife viewing books: Watching Wildlife, Virginia Wildlife Viewing Guide, and West Virginia Wildlife Viewing Guide. Mark has traveled extensively to watch and photograph wildlife, from the Everglades in South Florida and Denali National Park in Alaska to the Cinque Terre in Italy, the rainforests of Costa Rica, and the Savannahs of East Africa. His experiences have instilled in him a strong desire to teach others how to view wildlife ethically and successfully. These books show not only where to view wildlife, but also how to do so responsibly.
Wildlife Viewing: A Management Handbook: This book is an anthology of articles by academics and researchers that emphasizes an Experience-Based Recreation Management approach to wildlife viewing. Included in the book is a chapter by Mark Damian Duda and Steven J. Bissell, of Responsive Management, titled, “Marketing Wildlife-Viewing Experiences.” The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the principles of marketing as they apply to wildlife-related recreation.