Goodwill hunting? Exploring the role of hunters as ecosystem stewards.

摘要: The expanded role of wildlife management and conservation in addressing diverse social ecological goals necessitates an examination the that hunters have served can serve ecosystem stewardship. notion stewardship is presented as a moral norm personal ethic right wrong influences our attitudes behaviors toward issues one requires consideration impacts lifestyle choices on environmental quality. definition distinguishes term from "institutional stewardship" provided by agencies' roles conserving natural resources. need for hunter cooperation participation achieving described, followed critique traditional assumption hunting leads to level. A review research literature several recent case-study examples suggests often hold engage are not supportive broad-based, objectives. Finally, we address opportunities enhance through appeals norms strengthened education training fosters understanding. Hunters stewards * Holsman 809 For example, Bob Lange, Division Chief Federal Aid United States Fish Wildlife Service, recently supplied following rationale his agency's sponsorship special early-season youth waterfowl hunts: "While (USFWS) encourages all activities, opportunity provide families with memorable outdoor experiences unique. Hunting offers everyone learn about animal behavior, ecosystems feed wildlife, also chance actually become part It likely tha surroundings. this spe. cial day introduces control wlll b ethical use future. waterfowl, family participation" (Lange 1999:15). Lange's invocation "stewardship" typifies circles, promulgates results hunting, yet itself remains poorly defined. By stewardship, what exactly do mean? What expectations or aspirations those refer partners efforts? This paper attempt o explore hypothesis associated individual First, I discuss formal proposed Dixon et al. (1995) current era management. Second, critically analyze historical foundations promotes Third, has explored, explicitly implicitly, extent which relationship between be inferred. Fourth, agency oppor. . tunltles tor encouraglng steware shlp among consumptlve users There reasons it prudent examine hunters' emerges into new era. although many us would acknowledge provides public service benefits (Witter 1999), evaluation nonhunting increasing, evidenced trend ballot initiatives seeking restrict eliminate certain types trapping (Minnis 1998). Traditional justifications allowing regulated sport (e.g., population regulation) increasingly ringing hollow even some professionals (Woolf Roseberry 1998, Brown 2000). more persuasive rationales than will needed maintain recreational Establishing evidence signif1cantly contributes development resources may cast better light nonhunters. agencies interested involved efforts recruit retain consumptive (Dann Peyton 1996). Agency programs promote underrepresented groups, appear self-serving unless there te greater redeeming value recruiting perpetuation income license sales. Similar first issue, make agency-sponsored recruitment acceptable if irrefutable connection could made. focus continues broaden its scope. Efforts restore game species habitats so grandly supported past been achieved (too successfully cases) priorities shifting. support plans reduce when necessary diversity, protect endangered species, nurture cological health. Many practices such feeding baiting undermine attempts manage populations impact broader goals. question ultimately addressed whether community meeting needs especially expanding resource _