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Location
Asheville, North Carolina
Start Date
3-10-1993 12:00 AM
Description
Members of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association (AFVP) were surveyed in 1992-1993 to assess their attitudes and knowledge of coyotes and the amount of perceived damage caused by coyotes. A mail-back questionnaire was developed and pilot tested. The revised questionnaire was sent to all members (N = 84) of the AFVP; individuals whose main income is the production of fruits and vegetables. Seventy-seven percent (n = 61) of those surveyed returned completed questionnaires. Tests for nonresponse bias were conducted and results showed no significant difference. Attitudes were assessed using a Likert scale where 1 = respondents favoring maximum protection of coyotes and 5 = maximum control of coyotes. Data analysis suggests that attitudes of fruit and vegetable producers towards coyotes is neither maximum protection nor maximum control (x=3.61). However, their attitudes do lean toward the maximum control side of the scale. In addition, knowledge about coyotes and perceived threat by coyotes did not affect producer's attitudes (x2 = 261.12, P = 0.54 ; x2 = 904.50, P = 0.37, respectively), however, those with coyote damage more strongly favored control.
Recommended Citation
Philipp, M. C., & Armstrong, J. B. (1993). Perceptions and knowledge of Alabama fruit and vegetable producers towards coyotes. In King, M. M. (Ed.), The Sixth Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference (pp. 175-181). Asheville, NC: Clemson University.
Included in
Perceptions and Knowledge of Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Producers towards Coyotes
Asheville, North Carolina
Members of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association (AFVP) were surveyed in 1992-1993 to assess their attitudes and knowledge of coyotes and the amount of perceived damage caused by coyotes. A mail-back questionnaire was developed and pilot tested. The revised questionnaire was sent to all members (N = 84) of the AFVP; individuals whose main income is the production of fruits and vegetables. Seventy-seven percent (n = 61) of those surveyed returned completed questionnaires. Tests for nonresponse bias were conducted and results showed no significant difference. Attitudes were assessed using a Likert scale where 1 = respondents favoring maximum protection of coyotes and 5 = maximum control of coyotes. Data analysis suggests that attitudes of fruit and vegetable producers towards coyotes is neither maximum protection nor maximum control (x=3.61). However, their attitudes do lean toward the maximum control side of the scale. In addition, knowledge about coyotes and perceived threat by coyotes did not affect producer's attitudes (x2 = 261.12, P = 0.54 ; x2 = 904.50, P = 0.37, respectively), however, those with coyote damage more strongly favored control.