The Public and the Timber Wolf in Minnesota

AbstractThis paper reviews the results of a study of public attitudes, knowledge, behaviors, and symbolic perceptions of the timber wolf in Minnesota. Data were obtained from 45-minute telephone interviews with 621 Minnesotans including 186 Minneapolis-St. Paul residents, and 183 northern counties residents, 102 deer hunters, 97 livestock farmers, and 53 trappers.Limited factual knowledge of the timber wolf was found among the general public, although considerably greater knowledge was revealed by trappers and, to a lesser degree, hunters. Statistically significant differences occurred on a wide range of attitude questions covering such topics as conflicts between the timber wolf and farming and human development, utilizing the practical value of the timber wolf, the wilderness and outdoor recreational values of the wolf, fear and dislike of this species, as well as management and protection of the wolf. Most Minnesotans supported timber wolf conservation, but not at the expense or sacrifice of important human needs. For example, most endorsed the right of farmers to protect their livestock from wolf predation, but favored the use of presumably more humane control methods and approaches focusing on the individual problem animal. Most respondents, except farmers, viewed the wolf in highly favorable and positive terms, particularly the wolf's outdoor recreational and wilderness values. On the other hand, the wolf was not a well-liked species relative to 17 other animals, and a moderate degree of fear of the wolf was expressed. Farmers generally indicated the most dislike and utilitarian attitudes toward the wolf. Trappers also supported many practical uses of the wolf, although this group expressed considerable concern for wolf conservation, as well as outdoor recreational interest in and greater knowledge of the timber wolf. Twin cities residents clearly revealed the most protective attitudes toward the wolf and general affection for this animal, in contrast to northern counties residents. Various indicators suggested an unexpectedly large amount of capturing or killing of timber wolves, as well as domestic animals killed by wolves. The paper concludes with a discussion of management recommendations.