Effects of a Coyote Bounty Program on Hunters’ and Trappers’ Behavior

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title

Wildlife Society Bulletin

Publication Date

2003

Volume

31

Issue

3

First Page

736

Last Page

743

Abstract

The effectiveness of bounty programs for predator control has been questioned for decades, yet they remain popular with some constituencies. Utah reinstated a coyote (Canis latrans) bounty program in 2000. Ecological, economic, and sociological factors all influence the success of such management tools. Our goal was to assess the effects of the bounty program on coyote take and hunter participation. In 2001 we mailed a 5-page survey to 241 program participants and obtained 131 usable responses. Results showed few new participants (8%). Motivations cited for utilizing the program were to seek a positive outdoor experience and to increase big-game hunting opportunities. Most respondents turned in ≤5 coyotes for a bounty. Nearly half of respondents reported increasing expenditures for coyote harvest as a result of the bounty program. Understanding the behavior, incentives, and motivations for bounty program participation may help wildlife managers in develop more effective predator control programs.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS