Motivations, Specializations, Identities, and Constraints Associated with Hunting in Nebraska

Authors

Alisha Grams, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Christopher Chizinski

Date of this Version

10-2018

Citation

Grams, A. S. 2018. Motivations, Specializations, Identities, and Constraints Associated with Hunting in Nebraska. Master's thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science, Major: Natural Resource Sciences, Under the Supervision of Professor Christopher Chizinski. Lincoln, Nebraska : October 2018

Copyright (c) 2018 Alisha S. Grams

Abstract

This research herein examines the statewide motivations, specializations, identities, and constraints of Nebraska resident hunters. An online survey was conducted in the fall of 2017 asking respondents about their motivations, skills, demographics, and constraints to personal hunting experiences to determine what factors affect hunters. We used factor analysis to examine the effect of motivations, specializations, and constraints to see which factors influence participation. By understanding multiple attributes of our hunters, we gain further insight into participation trends and recreationists needs and expectations. Results suggested that our biggest constraint to overcome is land access, while most people are motivated to hunt for the social relations involved with hunting. The study results provided information on factors associated with hunting participation and future implications of recruitment and retention.

Further, a second, more specific, survey was conducted, focusing on a grouse tournament hunt in the sandhills region of Nebraska. A paper survey was handed out to tournament hunters at the competition, in which questions revolved around motivations and hunter characteristics. Tournaments hunters were not motivated to fill their bag limit and win the competition, but instead were participating for the comradery amongst friends. Additionally, grouse tournament hunters had a significant amount of hunting experience and the majority of participants were from out-of-state.

Advisor: Christopher Chizinski