Saturday, Jun. 21, 2008

Survey supports hunting in Washington state

By Kevin McCullen, Herald staff writer

Public support for hunting remains high in Washington, even though it ranks below other outdoor activities favored by residents.

A majority of Washington residents also support the recovery of wolves in the state. But they also would endorse some lethal control of wolves to protect livestock, and also support reducing populations of all predators that threaten humans, livestock or pets.

Hunters generally support game management policies of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, although deer hunters are nearly split on the question.

And a majority of upland and waterfowl hunters would support an increase in license fees if the money were used to maintain and increase hunting access on private lands, according to two studies conducted for Fish and Wildlife.

Information from the reports will be used to help craft the state's game management plan for 2009-2015, said Dave Ware, game division manager for Fish and Wildlife. The final plan will be reviewed and approved by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission later this year.

Responsive Management, a survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues, authored the two reports, Public Opinion on Hunting and Wildlife Management in Washington, and Hunters' Opinions on Wildlife Management and other Hunting Issues in Washington. The firm did similar surveys in 2002.

For the public opinion survey, the firm in January interviewed 805 residents by telephone. The survey has a sampling error of plus or minus 3.45 percent.

Respondents were asked which outdoor activities they participated in during the past two years. Hiking (57 percent), wildlife viewing (49 percent) and camping (48 percent) were the most popular, followed by boating (41 percent), fishing (40 percent), swimming in natural waters (38 percent) and hunting (16 percent).

But support for legal, regulated hunting was approved of by 82 percent of Washington residents, with only 12 percent disapproval. And a majority, 51 percent, said they strongly approved of hunting.

"That is great news for us. From the standpoint of a Fish and Wildlife commissioner, it tells me a majority of people are not finding this distasteful or inhumane or not acceptable," said Jerry Gutzwiler of Wenatchee, chairman of the nine-member Fish and Wildlife commission.

The survey attempted to qualify the support by asking respondents their support or opposition. Hunting to prevent the spread of animal disease (79 percent) and to prevent damage to habitat caused by overpopulation (71 percent) enjoyed the most support, followed by support for hunting to deal with nuisance animals (54 percent) and to address wildlife conflicts (47 percent).

Wolf recovery in Washington was favored by 75 percent of residents, with 17 percent in opposition. Support was strongest among those in urban areas, with the staunchest opposition from people living on ranches or farms, according to the survey.

But 61 percent said they would favor some level of lethal control of wolves to protect livestock, and 56 percent supported having the state compensate ranchers who have documented losses.

There also was support for controlling predators, with 65 percent endorsing it to protected threatened or endangered species, human safety (62 percent) and pets or domestic animals (50 percent).

About 50 percent of hunters rated as excellent or good the Department of Fish and Wildlife's management of deer, while 44 percent rated it fair or poor. A majority of elk hunters (54 percent) rated the department's elk management as excellent or good, with 42 percent saying it was fair or poor.

But hunters also were asked how well they understood deer management, and 59 percent said they needed more information to gain a better understanding.

Upland and waterfowl hunters were concerned about access to land and habitat. The survey found that 56 percent of small game license holders would support a $5 increase on their small game license to have the department maintain and increase hunting access on private lands, while 40 percent were opposed.

To view the studies, go to www.wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/management/2009-2015 and click on links to Final public opinion on hunting and wildlife management in Washington and Hunter's opinions on wildlife management and other hunting issues in Washington.

* Kevin McCullen; 582-1535; kmccullen@tricityherald.com