Regional differences in deer hunter attitudes and opinions regarding quality deer management (QDM)

Abstract

Quality deer management (QDM) is the preeminent framework by which white-tailed deer are managed in the eastern USA. Historic differences surrounding the cultures, traditions, and regulations of deer hunting exist regionally between the Midwest and Southeast, yet no published study has investigated regional differences in attitudes and opinions of QDM among deer hunters. We surveyed 9,301 deer hunters across two Midwestern states (Missouri and Ohio) and two Southeastern states (Louisiana and South Carolina) and found that hunters across regions held similar motivations for deer hunting, as well as similar attitudes and opinions of strategies and expected outcomes of QDM. However, there existed several mismatches between the practices and ideology associated with QDM among Southeastern hunters. Southeastern hunters held greater support for greater antlered bag limits, protection of does, and supplemental feeding. We postulate that these mismatches are largely driven by regional differences in cultures, traditions, and regulations surrounding deer hunting.