Perceptions of moose health and support for hunting as a management strategy against parasitism

Understanding wildlife perceptions is crucial for effective management, particularly amid shifting ecological and community dynamics. Framed by the Cognitive Hierarchy Model, we sought to understand factors affecting support for increased hunting as a strategy to address the threat of winter ticks on moose populations in Maine, USA. A self-administered online questionnaire was disseminated to Maine moose hunters, which measured perceptions of moose management, hunting beliefs and attitudes, subjective norms, trust in Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), and support for moose management strategies. A hierarchical regression analysis produced a model to explain voting support for hunting: Stronger moose hunting and management norms, positive beliefs and attitudes toward moose management, and greater trust in MDIFW yielded greater support for hunting as a moose management strategy. Our findings carry implications for supporting wildlife management actions and environmental protection issues.