ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE (CWD) ON DEER HUNTING

Thelong-term goalof this project is to determine the extent to which wildlife disease creates market and non-market impacts on the hunting economy, and to understand the factors that influence landowners' behavior regarding controlling the spread of disease. This goal will shed light on the economic effects of CWD prevalence on involved stakeholders (landowners, hunters, rural enterprises supporting hunting), and produce new knowledge that will contribute to a better understanding of the benefit of wildlife disease control programs and of engaging landowners in best management practices on their land.Objective 1: Quantify the non-market impact of CWD on the benefit of hunting access on private lands.Objective 2: Evaluate the market impact of CWD on hunting lease price and local, state, and regional economiesObjective 3: Model landowner's behavioral intentions to control CWD on private land