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Location

Hot Springs, AR

Start Date

6-4-2003 12:00 AM

Description

We evaluated the pre-and post-class responses of 142 university students enrolled in a 3-credit course on wildlife damage management during 1989-1996. Their knowledge of the status, distribution, and behavior of coyotes (Canis latrans) was remarkably high in the pre-and post-class surveys, yet males and urban students demonstrated an increase in knowledge after taking the course. "Specificity" was the most important factor that would influence the selection of a management technique, across gender and residence groups. Females, however, had a higher affinity for "humaneness," and "cost" was more important among males. Lethal methods of control were more acceptable to students after classroom experience and strong support was evident for killing only offending animals and using fast-acting, humane toxicants. The use of foot-hold traps produced the widest differences in opinions over the entire survey. Female and urban students were less receptive to this practice than male and rural students in both pre- and post-class surveys, even though all groups showed more tolerance for the use of foot-hold traps after classroom experience. Students overwhelmingly supported the hunting of wildlife.

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Apr 6th, 12:00 AM

Attitudes of University Students About Wildlife Damage Management: Effects of Gender, Residence, and Classroom Experience

Hot Springs, AR

We evaluated the pre-and post-class responses of 142 university students enrolled in a 3-credit course on wildlife damage management during 1989-1996. Their knowledge of the status, distribution, and behavior of coyotes (Canis latrans) was remarkably high in the pre-and post-class surveys, yet males and urban students demonstrated an increase in knowledge after taking the course. "Specificity" was the most important factor that would influence the selection of a management technique, across gender and residence groups. Females, however, had a higher affinity for "humaneness," and "cost" was more important among males. Lethal methods of control were more acceptable to students after classroom experience and strong support was evident for killing only offending animals and using fast-acting, humane toxicants. The use of foot-hold traps produced the widest differences in opinions over the entire survey. Female and urban students were less receptive to this practice than male and rural students in both pre- and post-class surveys, even though all groups showed more tolerance for the use of foot-hold traps after classroom experience. Students overwhelmingly supported the hunting of wildlife.