Texas hunters' attitudes toward wild pigs (Sus scrofa) and their management: an applied approach for wildlife managers

Authors

Lauren M. Jaebker, Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFollow
Alan D. Bright, Colorado State University
Hailey E. Ellis, Colorado State University
John M. Tomeček, Texas A&M University
Maureen G. Frank, Texas A&M University
Rachel L. Connally, Texas A&M University
Stephanie A. Shwiff, USDA APHIS NWRCFollow
Keith M. Carlisle, USDA APHIS NWRC

ORCID IDs

Lauren M. Jaebker http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3987-7809

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2023

Citation

Wildlife Society Bulletin 2023;47:e1472.

doi:10.1002/wsb.1472

Comments

U.S. government work

Abstract

Choosing and executing a wild pig management strategy is often a considerable challenge for wildlife managers due to the wide variety of potential strategies and stakeholder preferences. Our research aims to understand management preferences for and tolerance of wild pigs among Texas resident hunters within 8 managerial districts of Texas. We applied the Potential for Conflict Index (PCI2) to estimate potential management preference conflicts within each district. From 24,201 questionnaires completed in 2019, we found that, on average, 74% of respondents across all management actions in each district were found to be acceptable. Resident respondents were overall intolerant of wild pigs and were least tolerant in the San Angelo district. Study findings are useful in informing socially acceptable and contextually appropriate wild pig management plans. Our research serves as an approach that matches the units of analysis with the units of management for decision‐making.