Hunters’ preferences for engaging in control programs of introduced Eastern cottontails in Italy: a factorial survey approach

摘要: In Europe, invasive alien mammals are often controlled by voluntary hunters. However, no research investigated if control operations could be entirely performed volunteers, nor how to maximize their recruitment. By using the Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) in Central Italy as a case study, we carried out factorial survey over sample of hunters (n = 134), exploring which attributes influenced hypothetical participation programs for cottontails. Hunters were more willing engage schemes these included shooting sessions, not trapping. Moreover, they would have been prone cottontails had received evidence impacts native wildlife or local crops. The geographical scale management plan and its goals required efforts did any effect evaluation scenarios. As many European contexts where is unfeasible, like urbanized neighborhoods, our findings show that agencies cannot rely on volunteers should complement limitations with full-time staff. want recruit provide adequate information about environmental social mammals.