Extent of recreational incidents and determinants of liability insurance coverage for hunters and anglers in Mississippi

Abstract

Private landowners refrain from opening their lands for recreational use in fear of potential liability. This study examined the extent of actual bodily injuries and property damages sustained by hunters and anglers in Mississippi during the hunting and fishing seasons from 2002/03 to 2004/ 05. The percentage of liability insurance coverage on hunters and anglers and determinants of the pattern were also analyzed. Data were acquired from a telephone survey on a random sample of adults who purchased Mississippi hunting and fishing licenses for the 2004/05 season. The survey revealed that 1% of respondents had incidents related to their recreational activities from 2002/03 to 2004/05. About 17% of respondents had liability insurance coverage in the 2004/05 season. Age, years of hunting, and income were positively related to the purchase of liability insurance. In addition, Caucasians or nonresidents of Mississippi had a higher likelihood of having insurance coverage. The results revealed that special liability insurance has been helpful in reducing monetary losses from recreational use, and furthermore, liability insurance may be more effectively promoted in several ways. Copyright © 2007 by the Society of American Foresters.