SOURCES OF NATURAL RESOURCE INFORMATION, NON-CONSUMPTIVE USE OF WILDLIFE, AND CHANGES IN SOUTH DAKOTA RESIDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD HUNTING BETWEEN 1973 AND 1989

Trends in South Dakotan’s attitudes toward hunting and their participation in hunting were evaluated from responses to mail questionnaire surveys conducted in 1973 and 1989. Completed questionnaires were returned by 66% of 2,841 drivers license holders, ages 16 years and older. Seventy-eight percent of the respondents had hunted at sometime during their life. During the 16year interval between surveys, changes in responses to three stimuli statements suggest an increase in South Dakotans’ positive attitudes about hunting in their state. Ninety-nine percent of respondents enjoyed seeing or watching wildlife, but only 53% of respondents were willing to pay a fee of $2 or more to view wildlife on public lands. Fifty-six percent of respondents would be willing to pay a special tax on non-hunting equipment to help fund non-consumptive wildlife programs. About 54% of respondents did not receive any conservation, hunting, or wildlife magazines nor watch wildlife-oriented programs on television. Determination of trends in residents’ attitudes toward, and their participation in, hunting and other wildlife related recreation is necessary for a wildlife management agency to be responsive to all segments of the public. Knowledge of residents’ attitudes toward hunting, and the proper use of this knowledge enhances an agency’s quality of public service and aids in development and administration of programs to promote and regulate hunting recreation. In 1973, Rosonke et al. (1975a and b) conducted a survey of South Dakota residents to determine their attitudes towards hunting, hunters, and wildlife management officials. Their results provided baseline data that can be used to as