Hunting specialization and its relationship to participation in response to chronic wasting disease

This article examines the influence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) oil displacement and desertion among hunters of varying degrees of specialization. Data were obtained from surveys (n = 9,567) of resident and nonresident deer and elk hunters in eight states. Cluster analyses of hunters' skill, centrality, equipment, and experience revealed four specialization groups (casual, intermediate, focused, veteran). Hunters were shown hypothetical scenarios depicting CWD prevalence levels and human death from the disease, and asked what they would do (e.g., hunt in other states, quit hunting). If CWD conditions worsen (e.g., 50% prevalence, death), nonresidents were more likely to switch states (up to 46%); residents would quit (up to 38%). Among residents and nonresidents, casual hunters were most likely to quit (up to 61%); veterans were least likely (up to 23%). If CWD influences a greater proportion of casual hunters (i.e., newcomers) to quit, impacts on the future of hunting due to hunter recruitment could be catastrophic. Veteran residents were more inclined to switch states (up to 19%); casual residents were least likely to be displaced (up to 7%). For nonresidents, there were few differences among specialization groups regarding intention to switch states. Given that focused hunters exhibited low experience, but high skill and centrality, trajectories of specialization dimensions are not identical and do not increase in lock step fashion. Specialization, therefore, may be best suited for revealing styles of involvement and career stages in an activity rather than a linear continuum of progression.