Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-2000

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Major Professor

J. Mark Fly

Committee Members

Craig Harper, Lisa Muller, Randol Waters

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to determine landowners' perceptions of deer damage to crops and their tolerance for deer damage. Additional objectives were to examine landowners' perceptions of the effectiveness of deer damage control methods, wildlife management activities on their land, and to examine regional differences in deer damage to crops and related variables.

A mail survey was sent to landowners in eight Tennessee counties representing four areas of the state with high levels of soybean production and deer populations. A total of 2,110 survey participants were randomly selected to obtain a 95% confidence interval for the four county groups. The confidence interval for individual counties ranged from 92% to 94%. The survey was administered using the Dillman four-wave method resulting in a useable response rate of 59%. A comparison of early and late respondents to determine non-response bias revealed that early respondents were more likely to have deer damage to their crops. About half of the participants (54%) were classified as full- or part-time farmers.

The majority of participants wanted deer populations in their area to decrease (49%) or stay the same (32%). Many participants enjoyed deer (48%), while others enjoyed deer but worried about crop damage (38%), and a few participants considered deer to be a nuisance (15%).

Forty-seven percent of all landowners sustained deer damage, while 60% of farmers had deer damage. Many participants (55%) experienced some type of wildlife damage, compared to 68% of farmers. Most participants (54%) estimated the value of their loss from deer damage at $500 or less. Approximately one quarter of all participants (26%) reported deer damage that exceeded their tolerance level. Participants with deer damage were more likely to consider deer a nuisance and want a decrease in deer populations. Farmers were more likely to have deer damage than non-farmers.

One quarter of participants had taken measures to prevent deer damage with hunting being the most commonly used method. Shooting deer outside of the hunting season with a depredation permit was rated the most effective method of controlling deer damage. The majority of participants (79%) allowed hunting on their land and 42% reported that they manage their land for wildlife.

The fact that many landowners manage their land for wildlife is encouraging, given the importance of private lands as wildlife habitat. Private landowners' support of wildlife management may be eroded, however, if wildlife damage increases because participants who considered deer a nuisance were less likely to manage their land for wildlife.

Although many landowners experienced deer damage, it was not a serious problem for most of them. Landowners with severe deer damage, however, are likely to have negative attitudes about wildlife and may need assistance to deal with their deer damage problems. There are several options for assisting landowners with deer damage, such as more effective damage control methods, increasing landowners' awareness of the availability of depredation permits, and cash payments.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS