Deer hunting and television: are tv shows creating expectations among deer hunters?

Abstract

Throughout the past two decades new media outlets emphasizing trophy deer hunting have come to dominate hunting culture. Using data collected through a mail survey of Illinois deer hunters (n = 2,683, 78.5-percent response), we tested two hypotheses to determine factors that contribute to preference for hunting trophy deer. In particular, we examined the relationship between trophy deer hunting and: 1) watching television shows about deer hunting, and 2) frequency of viewing shows about deer hunting. Preference for hunting trophy deer was measured using three variables: hunting motives directed toward hunting trophy deer, preference for management programs emphasizing trophy deer, and management programs focused on producing bucks with large antlers. Results confirm a significant relationship between preference for hunting trophy deer and both watching hunting television shows and frequency of viewing shows about deer hunting.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Agee, Joshua D.; Miller, Craig A. 2009. Deer hunting and television: are tv shows creating expectations among deer hunters?. In: Klenosky, David B.; Fisher, Cherie LeBlanc, eds. Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2008 March 30 - April 1; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-42. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 337-341.