PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS’ OPINIONS ON AND ATTITUDES TOWARD BLACK BEARS
Conducted for the Pennsylvania Game Commission
by Responsive Management
2008
PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS’ OPINIONS ON AND ATTITUDES TOWARD BLACK BEARS
2008
Responsive Management National Office Mark Damian Duda, Executive Director
Martin Jones, Senior Research Associate Tom Beppler, Research Associate
Steven J. Bissell, Ph.D., Qualitative Research Associate Andrea Criscione, Research Associate
James B. Herrick, Ph.D., Research Associate Joanne Nobile, Research Associate
Amanda Ritchie, Research Associate Carol L. Schilli, Research Associate Megan Wilkes, Research Associate
Tim Winegord, Survey Center Manager Alison Lanier, Business Manager
130 Franklin Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: 540/432-1888 Fax: 540/432-1892 E-mail: [email protected]
www.responsivemanagement.com
Acknowledgments
Responsive Management would like to thank Cal DuBrock, Matthew Lovallo, Mark Ternent, and Bob Boyd of the Pennsylvania Game Commission for their input, support, and guidance on
this project.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY This study was conducted for the Pennsylvania Game Commission (the Commission) to
determine Pennsylvanians’ opinions on black bears in general, black bear management, and the
hunting of black bears. The study entailed a telephone survey of Pennsylvania residents 18 years
of age and older.
For the survey, telephones were selected as the preferred sampling medium because of the
universality of telephone ownership. The telephone survey questionnaire was developed
cooperatively by Responsive Management and the Commission. Responsive Management
conducted a pre-test of the questionnaire to ensure proper wording, flow, and logic in the survey.
Interviews were conducted Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from
noon to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., local time. The survey was
conducted in November and December 2008. The software used for data collection was
Questionnaire Programming Language.
The study sought to obtain data for individual Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) within
Pennsylvania, as well as regional data, with each region consisting of several WMUs. In all,
there are 22 WMUs in Pennsylvania that were amalgamated into 5 regions (the main text
contains a map of the WMUs and regions), as listed below:
o Western Region: WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B
o North Central Region: WMUs 2F, 2G, 3A, and 4D
o South Central Region: WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, and 4B
o Northeastern Region: WMUs 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, and 4E
o Southeastern Region: WMUs 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
The sampling plan sought to obtain enough interviews for meaningful data for the WMUs in the
North Central, South Central, and Northeastern Regions, which are the regions with the highest
bear density. The sampling plan obtained data for the Western and Southeastern Regions as
wholes, not broken down into WMUs. The sampling plan obtained at least 270 completed
interviews in the Western and Southeastern Regions and 270 interviews in each WMU in the
ii Responsive Management
North Central, South Central, and Northeastern Regions. In all, the researchers obtained 4,411
completed interviews.
For the survey, each telephone number called had to be positively identified within its
appropriate WMU. Because the WMU boundaries, which follow roadways and physical land
features such as streams, cross county lines (i.e., a single county could be in multiple WMUs),
the telephone sample could not be obtained on a county-by-county basis. Instead, the sample
had to be obtained for smaller geographical units that do not cross WMU boundaries. The
researchers determined that the most appropriate geographical units that could be used were
census groups.
The researchers contracted a GIS specialist at Virginia Tech to analyze the WMU map and
determine which census groups made up each WMU. The GIS specialist returned a file that
identified which census groups made up each WMU, and the sample was then obtained from SSI
for the appropriate census groups. The interviewers then called the telephone numbers in the
various census groups until the appropriate number of completed interviews were obtained for
each WMU. This produced a stratified sample.
The analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software as
well as proprietary software developed by Responsive Management. The results were weighted
so that the proportions of the sample among the WMUs matched their proportions in the regions,
and the regions were weighted to match the distribution of the population statewide, and the
weighting included a match of gender and age in the WMUs and regions.
ATTITUDES TOWARD BLACK BEARS IN GENERAL AND OPINIONS ON THE SIZE OF THE BLACK BEAR POPULATION
The majority of Pennsylvania residents (59%) are of the opinion that the black bear
population in their county should remain the same size as it currently is. Otherwise, the
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears iii
percentage who think the bear population should increase (12%) is the same as the
percentage who think it should decrease (12%).
• Those who want to see the black bear population in their county increase most commonly
want it to increase just a moderate amount. On the other hand, those who want to see the
population decrease most commonly want it to decrease a lot.
Another question in the survey that pertains to the black bear population and residents’
comfort level with black bears asked residents to indicate which of six statements best
describes their feelings about black bears. The statements were in a scale, running from
complete comfort regarding black bears in their yard (“I want to see and have black bears in
my yard”), through comfort having black bears in their neighborhood (I want to see black
bears in my neighborhood, but not in my yard”), and so on through community, township,
and county, to the other end of the continuum: complete aversion to black bears in their
county (“I feel uncomfortable about having black bears even in my county”). It appears that
most residents want some distance between themselves and black bears: 15% are
comfortable with having black bears in their yard; 24% do not want them in their yard but are
comfortable having them in their township; 40% say that they want black bears in their
county, but not in their township or city; and 21% are uncomfortable having black bears in
their county at all.
OPINIONS ON THE HUNTING OF BLACK BEARS AND BLACK BEAR MANAGEMENT
The large majority of residents (79%) agree that black bear populations should be managed
to control their population size in Pennsylvania; meanwhile, 14% oppose.
The survey asked residents to rate the Commission’s management of black bears in
Pennsylvania. The results are positive: 63% rate the Commission’s management as
excellent or good (but mostly good rather than excellent), while only 13% rate the
Commission as fair or poor (mostly fair). Nearly a quarter cannot say.
iv Responsive Management
In a related question, the large majority of Pennsylvania residents (70%) support the legal,
regulated hunting of black bears, while 23% oppose.
• Common reasons for supporting the hunting of black bears include that hunting is the
best way to control black bear populations, that population control is needed, that the
respondent simply is not opposed to hunting in general, and that hunting black bears in
Pennsylvania is a tradition. Note that the feeling that black bears threaten human safety
is not a particularly important reason (only 7% of those who support hunting of black
bears gave this reason for supporting black bear hunting).
• The most common reason for opposing the hunting of black bears is a general opposition
to hunting—the top reason by far. Other common reasons (but well below the general
opposition to hunting) include the respondent’s feeling that other methods of population
control are better, an opposition to trophy hunting, and that the black bear population is
too low.
In follow-up to the question about support or opposition to black bear hunting were five
questions about support or opposition to various types of black bear hunting activities, such
as hunting over bait or hunting with dogs. These questions found much lower support for
various black bear hunting activities than for black bear hunting in general. While 70%
support black bear hunting in general, all other permutations of black bear hunting have no
more than a third in support: hunting limited to archery equipment (33%), hunting black bear
in spring (22%), allowing a training season in which to chase bears with dogs but not hunt
(18%), hunting black bear with dogs (13%), and hunting using bait (12%). Conversely, all
except black bear hunting in general and black bear hunting limited to archery equipment had
69% or more in opposition, with the most opposition to hunting using bait (84% oppose).
NUISANCE PROBLEMS AND BLACK BEARS AND THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION’S RESPONSE TO NUISANCE PROBLEMS
The survey asked about nuisance bears: 5% of Pennsylvania residents have had property
damage and/or other problems with black bears at their primary home within the past 2 years.
• The most common problems are with birdfeeders (50% of those who had problems cited
this) or garbage cans/dumpsters (40%). Other less common problems include agricultural
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears v
damage, entry of garage/home/porch, a feeling of being threatened (without actual
physical damage), and damage to a building without entry.
• Of those who had experienced black bear problems, 19% contacted the Commission to
report the problem. The most common response or service they received from the
Commission was simply advice over the telephone at the time of reporting. Other
responses or services include having a Commission employee attempt to remove the
problem bear or having a Commission employee visit the home (or business) to discuss
the problem. Note that 20% of those who reported a black bear problem indicated that
the Commission was of no help. However, about half of the people who contacted the
Commission (51%) were satisfied with the response or service they received from the
Commission, while 30% were dissatisfied (the remainder gave a neutral response).
The survey asked four questions about residents’ support or opposition to non-lethal ways
(and in which situations) to control nuisance black bears. For each method/situation to
control nuisance black bears, a large majority support it. The most support is for capturing
and relocating a bear that is causing property damage (97% support). There is also
overwhelming support for using non-lethal repellents (e.g., pepper spray, rubber ammunition)
(91%), capturing and relocating a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered a
building (88%), and capturing and relocating a bear that has caused agricultural damage
(87%). Note that most support is strong support (in fact, for each, a large majority strongly
support, ranging from 65% to 84%).
• For the situations above, the survey asked follow-up questions regarding the number of
times that the nuisance bear behavior should be documented before the decision is made
to kill the bear. (Note that the follow-up discussed killing the bear rather than using non-
lethal means; in other words, the follow-up was for the situation, not the method for
addressing the nuisance bear.) In looking at the results together, Pennsylvania residents
show more tolerance for agricultural damage and residential/campground damage than
for attempting to enter or actually entering a building. For instance, 39% say the bear
should not be killed for causing agricultural damage, 35% say the bear should not be
killed for causing residential/campground damage, but only 27% say the bear should not
be killed for attempting to enter or actually entering a building. Also, in looking at the
vi Responsive Management
mean number of times the behavior should be documented before the bear is killed, the
mean for agricultural damage is 3.31 times, the mean for residential/campground damage
is 2.93, but the mean for attempting to enter or actually entering a building is only 1.73
times.
KNOWLEDGE OF BLACK BEARS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK BEARS
Self-professed knowledge about black bears among Pennsylvania residents is low: 27% say
that they know a great deal or moderate amount (in fact, only 3% say that they know a great
deal), while 73% say that they know a little or nothing.
The top information sources about black bears among Pennsylvania residents include
newspapers (30% say they get information about black bears from this source), television
programs (23%), and family/friends (23%). Magazines (13%) and the Internet (12%) are
also common sources.
• The survey also asked about Commission sources of information, as well. Although most
Pennsylvania residents do not get information about black bears from the Commission,
there are three important Commission sources: Game News Magazine, the Commission
website, and Commission news releases.
Just less than half of Pennsylvania residents (46%) express interest in receiving information
about black bears from the Commission. Topics of most interest (from those who are
interested in information) include black bear biology, Pennsylvania’s black bear management
plan, black bear hunting, addressing black bear nuisance problems, what to do if you
encounter a black bear, and who to contact for black bear problems.
RESPONDENTS’ HUNTING ACTIVITIES The researchers were interested in the species, including black bear, that residents had
hunted. So as to not ask non-hunters a question that would not apply to them, the survey first
determined who had hunted within the past 2 years (17% had hunted or gone hunting with
somebody in that timeframe). Then the survey asked about species they had hunted in the
previous 2 years in Pennsylvania. White-tailed deer was the most commonly hunted species
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears vii
by far (85% of those who had hunted in the previous 2 years). This was followed by six
species hunted by at least a fifth of active hunters: wild turkey (39%), squirrel (36%),
pheasant (34%), ruffed grouse (31%), rabbit (26%), and black bear (22%).
viii Responsive Management
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction and Methodology ........................................................................................................1
Telephone Survey Methodology .............................................................................................1 Sampling Plan..........................................................................................................................2 Analysis of Data ......................................................................................................................4 Nonparametric Analysis ..........................................................................................................5 Reading the Correlations Tables Produced by the Nonparametric Analysis ..........................8 Crosstabulations ....................................................................................................................11 Sampling Error ......................................................................................................................14 Notes on Reading the Text ....................................................................................................15
Attitudes Toward Black Bears in General and Opinions on the Size of the Black Bear Population .............................................................................................................16
Opinions on the Hunting of Black Bears and Black Bear Management........................................75 Nuisance Problems and Black Bears and the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s
Response to Nuisance Problems ............................................................................................218 Knowledge of Black Bears and Sources of Information About Black Bears ..............................369 Respondents’ Hunting Activities .................................................................................................432 Demographic Data .......................................................................................................................451 About Responsive Management ..................................................................................................528
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 1
INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY This study was conducted for the Pennsylvania Game Commission (the Commission) to
determine Pennsylvanians’ opinions on black bears in general, black bear management, and the
hunting of black bears. The study entailed a telephone survey of Pennsylvania residents 18 years
of age and older. Specific aspects of the research methodology are discussed below.
TELEPHONE SURVEY METHODOLOGY For the survey, telephones were selected as the preferred sampling medium because of the
universality of telephone ownership. In addition, a central polling site at the Responsive
Management office allowed for rigorous quality control over the interviews and data collection.
Responsive Management maintains its own in-house telephone interviewing facilities. These
facilities are staffed by interviewers with experience conducting computer-assisted telephone
interviews on the subjects of natural resources and outdoor recreation. The telephone survey
questionnaire was developed cooperatively by Responsive Management and the Commission.
Responsive Management conducted a pre-test of the questionnaire to ensure proper wording,
flow, and logic in the survey.
To ensure the integrity of the telephone survey data, Responsive Management has interviewers
who have been trained according to the standards established by the Council of American Survey
Research Organizations. Methods of instruction included lecture and role-playing. The Survey
Center Managers and other professional staff conducted project briefings with the interviewers
prior to the administration of this survey. Interviewers were instructed on type of study, study
goals and objectives, handling of survey questions, interview length, termination points and
qualifiers for participation, interviewer instructions within the survey instrument, reading of the
survey instrument, skip patterns, and probing and clarifying techniques necessary for specific
questions on the survey instrument. The Survey Center Managers and statisticians monitored the
data collection, including monitoring of the actual telephone interviews without the interviewers’
knowledge, to evaluate the performance of each interviewer and ensure the integrity of the data.
After the surveys were obtained by the interviewers, the Survey Center Managers and/or
statisticians checked each completed survey to ensure clarity and completeness.
2 Responsive Management
Interviews were conducted Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from
noon to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., local time. A five-callback design
was used to maintain the representativeness of the sample, to avoid bias toward people easy to
reach by telephone, and to provide an equal opportunity for all to participate. When a respondent
could not be reached on the first call, subsequent calls were placed on different days of the week
and at different times of the day. The survey was conducted in November and December 2008.
Responsive Management obtained a total of 4,411 completed interviews.
The software used for data collection was Questionnaire Programming Language 4.1 (QPL).
The survey data were entered into the computer as each interview was being conducted,
eliminating manual data entry after the completion of the survey and the concomitant data entry
errors that may occur with manual data entry. The survey instrument was programmed so that
QPL branched, coded, and substituted phrases in the survey based on previous responses to
ensure the integrity and consistency of the data collection.
SAMPLING PLAN The study sought to obtain data for individual Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) within
Pennsylvania, as well as regional data, with each region consisting of several WMUs. In all,
there are 22 WMUs in Pennsylvania, as shown on the map that follows, that were amalgamated
into 5 regions, as listed below:
o Western Region: WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B
o North Central Region: WMUs 2F, 2G, 3A, and 4D
o South Central Region: WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, and 4B
o Northeastern Region: WMUs 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, and 4E
o Southeastern Region: WMUs 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
The sampling plan sought to obtain enough interviews for meaningful data for the WMUs in the
North Central, South Central, and Northeastern Regions, which are the regions with the highest
bear density. The sampling plan obtained data for the Western and Southeastern Regions as
wholes, not broken down into WMUs. The sampling plan obtained at least 270 completed
interviews in the Western and Southeastern Regions and 270 interviews in each WMU in the
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 3
North Central, South Central, and Northeastern Regions. In all, the researchers obtained 4,411
completed interviews. The tabulation following the map below shows the number of interviews.
WMU Completed Interviews WMU Completed Interviews Western Region 281 Northeastern Region 1,3781A, 2A, 1B, 2B 281 3B 272North Central Region 1,103 3C 2732F 280 3D 2762G 274 4C 2793A 271 4E 2784D 278 Southeastern Region 288South Central Region 1,361 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D 2882C 273 2D 271 2E 275 4A 272 4B 270 TOTAL 4,411
4 Responsive Management
For the survey, each telephone number called had to be positively identified within its appropriate WMU. For this reason, random-digit dialing could not be used (a method that randomly chooses likely residence telephone numbers in the state). Instead, the sampling plan had to use listed households, thereby allowing the number called to be positively located within its appropriate WMU. Because the WMU boundaries, which follow roadways and physical land features such as streams, cross county lines (i.e., a single county could be in multiple WMUs), the telephone sample could not be obtained on a county-by-county basis. Instead, the sample had to be obtained for smaller geographical units that do not cross WMU boundaries. The researchers determined that the most appropriate geographical units that could be used were census groups. The researchers obtained the sample from SSI (a firm that specializes in producing scientific telephone samples that meet certain criteria) at the census group level. However, the researchers first had to determine which census groups made up each WMU. The researchers contracted a GIS specialist at Virginia Tech to analyze the WMU map and determine which census groups made up each WMU. The GIS specialist returned a file that identified which census groups made up each WMU, and the sample was then obtained from SSI for the appropriate census groups. Specifically, SSI provided the research team with a list of household telephone numbers for all the census groups that were identified by the GIS specialist. The interviewers then called the telephone numbers in the various census groups until the appropriate number of completed interviews were obtained for each WMU. This produced a stratified sample, as indicated in the tabulation on the previous page. ANALYSIS OF DATA
The analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software as well as proprietary software developed by Responsive Management. The results were weighted so that the proportions of the sample among the WMUs and regions matched the distribution of the population statewide, as well as to ensure that the data represented the proportion of males and females within the age groups (e.g., 18-24 years, 25-34 years) in the actual population. This required two “weightings”: the first weighting ensured that the WMUs were properly proportioned within their appropriate regions, and the second weighting ensured that the regions were properly proportioned within the state as a whole.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 5
NONPARAMETRIC ANALYSIS For this report, a nonparametric analysis examined how various responses related to opinions and
participatory and demographic characteristics. Responses for most questions were tested by
means of z-scores for relationships to opinions and participatory and demographic
characteristics. The analysis examined 57 variables regarding characteristics of the respondents
entailing 1,653 calculations. A positive z-score means that the response and characteristic are
positively related; a negative z-score means that the response and characteristic are negatively
related.
The z-scores determine the strength of the relationship between the characteristic and the
response to the question. A z-score that has an absolute value of 3.30 or greater indicates that the
relationship is so strong that it would happen by chance only 1 out of 1,000 times
(p < 0.001). A z-score that has an absolute value of 2.58 to 3.29 indicates that the relationship is
so strong that it would happen by chance only 1 out of 100 times (p < 0.01). Finally, a z-score
that has an absolute value of 1.96 to 2.57 indicates that the relationship is so strong that it would
happen by chance only 5 out of 100 times (p < 0.05). In the text, this analysis is referred to as
the nonparametric analysis.
The z-scores were calculated as shown in the formula below.
⎥⎦
⎤⎢⎣
⎡+−
−=
21
21
11)1(
)(
nnpp
ppz
where: n1 represents the number of observations in Group 1.
n2 represents the number of observations in Group 2. p1 = a/(a + b) = a/n1 and represents the proportion of observations in Group 1 that falls in Cell a.
It is employed to estimate the population proportion Π1 (% of Group 1 who had specific characteristic).
p2 = c/(c + d) = c/n2 and represents the proportion of observations in Group 2 that falls in Cell c. It is employed to estimate the population proportion Π2 (% of Group 2 who had specific characteristic).
p = (a + c)/(n1 + n2) = (a + c)/n and is a pooled estimate of the proportion of respondents who had specific characteristic in the underlying population.
(Equation from Handbook of Parametric and Nonparametric Statistical Procedures, 2nd Edition by David J. Sheskin. © 2000, Chapman & Hall/CRC, Boca Raton, FL.)
6 Responsive Management
The results of the nonparametric analysis are discussed in the text within the context of six main
themes:
o Knowledge/interest in information o Opinions on black bear populations and management of black bears o Hunting activities and opinion on hunting black bears o Nuisance bears and opinions on nuisance mitigation strategies o Opinions on the Commission o Demographic characteristics
The characteristics examined in the nonparametric analysis are shown in the tabulation below.
Note that the education, residence, and age variables were examined in more than one way, as
denoted by “Split #1,” “Split #2,” and “Split #3.” For instance, residential area was examined as
follows:
o “Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area” versus “Lives in small city or town, or rural area”
o “Lives in a rural area” versus “Does not live in a rural area” (the latter including “large city/urban area,” “suburban area,” and “small city/town”)
o “Lives on a farm” versus “Does not live on a farm” (the latter including “large city/urban area,” “suburban area,” “small city/town,” and “rural area not on a farm”)
Most of the variables are in pairs (e.g., “Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in
Pennsylvania” and “Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in
Pennsylvania”), and the wording of the second of the pair is not just the opposite of the first
because it must allow for neutral and “don’t know” responses. Using the aforementioned
example, the second pair is not “Opposes legal, regulated hunting of black bears in
Pennsylvania” because it includes “Neither supports nor opposes” and “Don’t know.” Therefore,
although wordy, the variable is accurately labeled, “Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated
hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.”
Variables Analyzed in the Nonparametric Analysis Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same. Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 7
Variables Analyzed in the Nonparametric Analysis Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community. Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania. Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania. Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years. Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years. Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground. Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground. Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground. Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground. Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage. Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage. Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings. Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings. Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears. Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears. Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) Lives on a farm. (Split #3)
8 Responsive Management
Variables Analyzed in the Nonparametric Analysis Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2) Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) Is male. Is female. Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region.
READING THE CORRELATIONS TABLES PRODUCED BY THE NONPARAMETRIC ANALYSIS The following explains how to read the nonparametric tables, using as an example the table for
the response (shown in bold in the top row of the tabulation on the next page) “Supports legal,
regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.” This table shows responses that are positively
correlated with supporting the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. For
instance, males are more likely to respond that they support the legal, regulated hunting of black
bears in Pennsylvania than are those who are not males (i.e., females), shown in the second non-
bold row. This does not mean that all males support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears
in Pennsylvania, it simply means that males are more likely to support the legal, regulated
hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania than are females. Likewise, those who live in a rural area
are more likely, relative to those who do not live in a rural area, to respond that they support the
legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania (sixth non-bold row). Again, not all
those who live in a rural area support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania;
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 9
they are simply more likely to support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania
than are those who do not live in a rural area.
Note that the strongest positive statistically significant correlations are at the top of the table,
with the positive correlations getting weaker as one moves down the table (nonetheless, all
variables in the table are statistically significant). The significance level is shown for each
variable. Also note that a single respondent will not have all the correlations; for instance living
in the North Central Region and living in the South Central Region are both positive correlations
in the tabulation below, and obviously a single respondent cannot have both those characteristics.
Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. Significance Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Is male. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.01 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.05
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
10 Responsive Management
The graph below shows exactly what the z-score measures in the nonparametric analysis, using
the gender variable as it relates to support of legal, regulated hunting of black bears in
Pennsylvania. The nonparametric analysis seeks to determine if any difference in opinion among
the two groups (males and females) is statistically significant. For the gender variable, 82.7% of
males, but only 59.3% of females, support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in
Pennsylvania, a difference of 23.4 percentage points. The nonparametric analysis indicates that
it is a statistically significant difference at the 0.001 significance level. (Note that the support
among all respondents, as represented by the black bar, is not considered in the nonparametric
analysis; it is shown here merely for reference.)
Support of legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.
70
83
59
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
Support oflegal, regulated
hunting ofblack bears inPennsylvania
among allrespondents
Support oflegal, regulated
hunting ofblack bears inPennsylvaniaamong males
Support oflegal, regulated
hunting ofblack bears inPennsylvania
among females
Difference insupport among
males andfemales
Percent
The difference between these two percentages is 23 percentage points, as represented by the gray bar.
This difference is what thez-score examines; in this case, the difference betwween the two groups is statistically significant(p < 0.001).
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 11
CROSSTABULATIONS The analysis of data also included crosstabulations by region of residency, with the regions based
on WMUs, corresponding to the regions used in the sampling plan. For each question, a graph
showing statewide data is shown, followed by a graph showing a comparison of regions in the
state. Then graphs for each region are shown broken down by individual WMU (note that the
Western Region and the Southeastern Region were not broken down by WMU; the other regions
were broken down by WMU). An alternative way to present the data, broken down by each
WMU individually is also included. Following those graphs are tables showing positive
correlations determined by the nonparametric analysis discussed above. Therefore, for each
question, seven portrait-oriented graphs will be shown, and they will be presented in the same
order:
o Statewide
o Statewide broken down by region
o Western Region (all WMUs together)
o North Central Region, broken down by WMU
o South Central Region, broken down by WMU
o Northeastern Region, broken down by WMU
o Southeastern Region (all WMUs together)
Examples of the seven graphs (in miniature; the actual graphs are presented each on its own
page) are shown on the following pages, indicating the order in which they are presented, using
Question 7 as an example.
Following those graphs will be a series of landscape-oriented graphs for each question, with the
data broken down by individual WMUs. Examples of these are also shown.
Note that other crosstabulations were run where appropriate to better refine the findings, such as
various opinions on nuisance mitigation techniques crosstabulated by support/opposition to
hunting black bears. These other crosstabulations were run only on the statewide data and so
follow the statewide graphs for those questions.
12 Responsive Management
First graph (Statewide) Second graph (Statewide by Region) Q7. How much would you say you know about
black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Statewide)
26
47
24
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent (n=4411)
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Statewide)
26
1
21
52
14
7
29
50
15
51
31
3
20
6
27
47
31
44
23
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Third graph (Western Region) Fourth graph (North Central Region)
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Western Region)
1
21
52
26
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(North Central Region)
4
27
56
1213
11
33
4338
40
10
1215
55
26
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 13
Fifth graph (South Central Region) Sixth graph (Northeastern Region) Q7. How much would you say you know about
black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(South Central Region)
15
51
31
3
17
4
31
48
14
5
33
48
11
4
26
59
19
50
27
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Northeastern Region)
4
23
48
25
19
5
31
45
45
30
9
17
21
49
26
5
17
46
31
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Seventh graph (Southeastern Region)
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Southeastern Region)
31
44
23
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
14 Responsive Management
As indicated, following those portrait-oriented graphs will be landscape-oriented graphs, as
shown below (again, in miniature; the actual graphs are presented two to a page), that present the
data for all the WMUs individually. There is one landscape graph for each response (e.g., a
question that asks for a rating of excellent, good, fair, or poor will have a graph for each of those
four responses and a fifth graph for “don’t know.” On some questions that have many responses,
the data are shown in tables rather than in graphs.
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a
moderate amount, a little, or nothing?
11 104 5
94 4 5 4 6
2 13 4 5 4
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated knowing a great deal
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a
moderate amount, a little, or nothing?
3340
2331 30
26 27 26 2631
23 21
31 31 3327
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated knowing a moderate amount
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a
moderate amount, a little, or nothing?
4338
48 45 45
59
50 4955
46 445251
48 4856
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated knowing a little
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a
moderate amount, a little, or nothing?
13 12
2519 17
1119 21
15 17
3126
15 1714 12
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated knowing nothing
SAMPLING ERROR Throughout this report, findings of the telephone survey are reported at a 95% confidence
interval. For the entire sample of Pennsylvania residents 18 years old and older, the sampling
error is at most plus or minus 1.48 percentage points. This means that if the survey were
conducted 100 times on different samples that were selected in the same way, the findings of 95
out of the 100 surveys would fall within plus or minus 1.48 percentage points of each other.
Sampling error was calculated using the formula described below, with a sample size of 4,411
and a population size of 9,238,326 Pennsylvania residents 18 years old and older.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 15
Sampling Error Equation
( )( )96.1
1
25.25.
⎟⎟⎟⎟
⎠
⎞
⎜⎜⎜⎜
⎝
⎛
−
−=
p
s
p
NN
N
B
Derived from formula: p. 206 in Dillman, D. A. 2000. Mail and Internet Surveys. John Wiley & Sons, NY.
Note: This is a simplified version of the formula that calculates the maximum sampling error using a 50:50 split (the most conservative calculation because a 50:50 split would give maximum variation).
NOTES ON READING THE TEXT Note that some results may not sum to exactly 100% because of rounding. Additionally,
rounding on the graphs may cause apparent discrepancies of 1 percentage point between the
graphs and the reported results of combined responses (e.g., when “strongly support” and
“moderately support” are summed to determine the total percentage in support).
Where: B = maximum sampling error (as decimal) NP = population size (i.e., total number who could be surveyed) NS = sample size (i.e., total number of respondents surveyed)
16 Responsive Management
ATTITUDES TOWARD BLACK BEARS IN GENERAL AND OPINIONS ON THE SIZE OF THE BLACK BEAR POPULATION
The majority of Pennsylvania residents (59%) are of the opinion that the black bear
population in their county should remain the same size as it currently is. Otherwise, the
percentage who think the bear population should increase (12%) is the same as the
percentage who think it should decrease (12%).
• Those who want to see the black bear population in their county increase most commonly
want it to increase just a moderate amount. On the other hand, those who want to see the
population decrease most commonly want it to decrease a lot.
• Regional crosstabulations. There are no marked differences among the regions regarding
whether respondents want the black bear population to increase, remain the same, or
decrease.
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with thinking that the black bear
population should increase suggest the following:
o Those who want to see the black bear population increase tend to be very interested in
receiving information about bears from the Commission, relative to those who do not
want to see an increase.
o Those who want to see the black bear population increase, not surprisingly, tend to
show more comfort having bears around, compared to those who do not want an
increase.
o Those who want to see the black bear population increase, compared to those who do
not, are more likely to have been hunting and to support hunting of black bears.
o Those who want to see the black bear population increase are more likely to not
indicate supporting the non-lethal methods of addressing nuisance black bears,
relative to those who do not want an increase.
o Those who want to see the black bear population increase, compared to those who do
not, are more likely to rate the Commission’s management of black bears as fair or
poor.
o Demographic characteristics positively correlated with wanting to see an increase in
the black bear population include being male, being in the lower educational range,
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 17
living in the South Central or Northeastern Regions, living in a rural area, and being
in the lower to middle age groups.
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with thinking that the black bear
population should decrease suggest the following:
o Those who want to see the black bear population decrease are more likely to say that
they know a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania, compared to those who do
not want to see a decrease.
o Those who want to see the black bear population decrease are more likely to feel
uncomfortable about having bears in their county and to agree that they should be
managed to control their population, relative to those who do not want to see a
decrease.
o Those who want to see the black bear population decrease, compared to those who do
not, are more likely to support hunting of black bears.
o Those who want to see the black bear population decrease are more likely than are
those who do not want a decrease to have had nuisance bear problems. Also, they are
more likely to not indicate supporting non-lethal control methods (perhaps favoring
hunting instead as an alternative control method).
o Those who want to see the black bear population decrease are more likely, relative to
those who do not want a decrease, to rate the Commission’s management of black
bears as fair or poor.
o Finally, demographic characteristics positively correlated with wanting to see a black
bear population decrease include being in the older age group; living in a rural area,
including living on a farm; being in the lower end of educational attainment; living in
the Western or North Central Regions; being female; and being non-white.
Another question in the survey that pertains to the black bear population and residents’
comfort level with black bears asked residents to indicate which of six statements best
describes their feelings about black bears. The statements were in a scale, running from
complete comfort regarding black bears in their yard (“I want to see and have black bears in
my yard”), through comfort having black bears in their neighborhood (I want to see black
bears in my neighborhood, but not in my yard”), and so on through community, township,
18 Responsive Management
and county, to the other end of the continuum: complete aversion to black bears in their
county (“I feel uncomfortable about having black bears even in my county”). It appears that
most residents want some distance between themselves and black bears: 15% are
comfortable with having black bears in their yard; 24% do not want them in their yard but are
comfortable having them in their township; 40% say that they want black bears in their
county, but not in their township or city; and 21% are uncomfortable having black bears in
their county at all.
• Regional crosstabulation: Respondents from the North Central and South Central
Regions exhibit the most comfort with having black bears around (i.e., to respond “I want
to see and have black bears in my yard” or to respond “I want to see and have black bears
in my neighborhood but not in my yard”). On the other hand, respondents from the
Western and Southeastern Regions exhibit the least comfort about black bears (i.e., to
respond “I want to see and have black bears in my county but not in my township or city”
or to respond “I feel uncomfortable about having black bears even in my county”). These
differences are statistically significant (p < 0.001).
• Nonparametric analysis. The nonparametric (z-score) tabulations are shown for all the
responses within the scale for this question; however, only the two extremes (complete
comfort, “wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard,” and complete discomfort,
“feels uncomfortable about having black bears even in his/her county”) are discussed
here.
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with wanting to see and have black
bears in his/her yard suggest the following:
o Those who say that they want to see and have black bears in their yards are more
likely, compared to those who do not say this, to be very interested in receiving
information about black bears as well as to say that they know a great deal about
black bears.
o Those who say that they want to see and have black bears in their yards are more
likely, relative to those who do not, to think the black bear population in their county
should increase and to not indicate wanting the black bear population managed to
control its population size.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 19
o Those who say that they want to see and have black bears in their yards, compared to
those who do not, are more likely to have hunted in the past 2 years. Coupled with
the finding above, this suggests two groups wanting to see black bears in their yard:
those sympathetic to black bears who do not support hunting (i.e., not wanting them
managed to control their population), and hunters.
o Those who say that they want to see and have black bears in their yards are more
likely, compared to those who do not, to have experienced nuisance bear problems
(although this seems counterintuitive, some respondents commented that they have
had bear problems but still like having them around, taking the good—aesthetic
values of having bears—with the bad—property damage). They are also more likely
to not indicate supporting various non-lethal nuisance mitigation techniques.
o Those who say that they want to see and have black bears in their yards are more
likely than are those who do not want black bears in their yards to rate the
Commission’s management of black bears as fair or poor.
o Those who say that they want to see and have black bears in their yards are more
likely, relative to those who do not, to live in a rural area, including on a farm; to be
white; to be male; to live in the Northeastern or North Central Region; to be in the
lower educational group; and to be in the young to middle age groups.
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with feeling uncomfortable about
having black bears in their county suggest the following:
o Those who say that they feel uncomfortable about having black bears in their county
are more likely, compared to those who do not, to not indicate being very interested
about receiving information from the Commission about black bears.
o Those who say that they feel uncomfortable about having black bears in their county
are more likely, relative to those who do not, to want the black bear population to
decrease in their county and to want black bears managed to control their population.
o The nonparametric (z-score) analysis suggests two groups who feel uncomfortable
about having black bears in their county: those who want the black bear population
managed (as shown above), and those who do not support hunting of black bears—
perhaps being sympathetic to them but, nonetheless, feeling uncomfortable about
having them around.
20 Responsive Management
o Those who say that they feel uncomfortable about having black bears in their county
are more likely, compared to those who do not, to have not had nuisance bear
damage, to not support having the Commission capture and relocate bears that have
attempted to enter or actually entered buildings and to not support non-lethal
repellents, but to support relocating bears that are causing agricultural damage.
o Those who say that they feel uncomfortable about having black bears in their county
are more likely, compared to those who do not, to rate the Commission’s
management of black bears as fair or poor.
o Finally, the demographic characteristics positively correlated to feeling
uncomfortable about having black bears in their county include being non-white;
being in the older age groups; living in the Southeastern Region; not living in a rural
area; being female; and having an educational level in the low end of the range.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 21
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase,
remain the same, or decrease?(Statewide)
16
12
59
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase
Remain thesame
Decrease
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
22 Responsive Management
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase,
remain the same, or decrease?
4
13
58
25
18
10
60
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase
Remain thesame
Decrease
Don't know
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
While more hunters want an increase in the black bear population in their county than want a decrease, there are some hunters who want a decrease.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 23
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase,
remain the same, or decrease?(Statewide)
12
10
63
15
13
15
56
16
9
12
60
19
11
15
63
11
20
12
57
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase
Remain thesame
Decrease
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
24 Responsive Management
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase,
remain the same, or decrease?(Western Region)
11
63
14
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase
Remain the same
Decrease
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 25
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase,
remain the same, or decrease?(North Central Region)
15
54
15
16
9
12
56
23
26
50
15
8
14
11
58
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase
Remain thesame
Decrease
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
26 Responsive Management
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase,
remain the same, or decrease?(South Central Region)
9
11
60
20
10
19
60
11
10
17
61
12
8
19
58
16
13
10
57
20
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase
Remain thesame
Decrease
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 27
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase,
remain the same, or decrease?(Northeastern Region)
18
12
58
12
10
62
13
14
5
17
66
12
16
65
9
10
15
64
10
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase
Remain the same
Decrease
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
28 Responsive Management
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase,
remain the same, or decrease?(Southeastern Region)
20
12
57
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase
Remain thesame
Decrease
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 29
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or
decrease?
1215 12 13
17 19 2016 17 15
11 10
20 19 17 15
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or
decrease?
5650
5862
66
57 5765
5864
5763
54616060
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should stay the same
30 Responsive Management
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or
decrease?
23 26
12 10 1216
10 9 11 10 12 1511 11 12 15
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or
decrease?
9 8
1814
5 813 10
1411
20
129 10 1016
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know what should happen to the black bear population
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 31
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. Significance Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Is male. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.05
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.05 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.05
32 Responsive Management
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
Significance
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Is female. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.01 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.05
Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 33
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease.
Significance
Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05 Is female. p < 0.05 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.05
Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.05 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.05
34 Responsive Management
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to increase.)(Statewide)
1
29
49
21
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase a lot
Increase amoderateamount
Increase a little
Don't know
Percent (n=686)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 35
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to increase.)(Statewide)
0
15
62
23
2
20
47
32
0
30
47
23
2
15
61
22
0
33
42
25
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase a lot
Increase amoderateamount
Increase alittle
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=31)North Central (n=157)South Central (n=258)Northeastern (n=210)Southeastern (n=30)
36 Responsive Management
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to increase.)(Western Region)
15
62
24
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase a lot
Increase amoderate amount
Increase a little
Percent (n=31)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 37
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to increase.)(North Central Region)
29
47
20
30
37
38
2538
35
25
22
37
51
10
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase a lot
Increase amoderateamount
Increase a little
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=41)WMU 2G (n=27)WMU 3A (n=39)WMU 4D (n=50)
38 Responsive Management
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to increase.)(South Central Region)
0
26
43
31
0
6
58
36
0
21
48
31
3
20
44
33
0
34
41
25
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase a lot
Increase amoderateamount
Increase a little
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=54)WMU 2D (n=45)WMU 2E (n=50)WMU 4A (n=50)WMU 4B (n=59)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 39
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to increase.)(Northeastern Region)
10
55
28
76
9
57
2816
64
20
01
21
62
15
1
24
61
14
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase a lot
Increase amoderateamount
Increase a little
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=42)WMU 3C (n=33)WMU 3D (n=36)WMU 4C (n=49)WMU 4E (n=50)
40 Responsive Management
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to increase.)(Southeastern Region)
33
42
25
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase a lot
Increase amoderateamount
Increase a little
Percent (n=30)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 41
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a lot, a moderate amount, or a
little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in their county to increase.)
37
25
10 9
20 1925
1510
14
25
15
31
6
21
29
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a lot
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a lot, a moderate amount, or a
little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in their county to increase.)
3835
55 5764
43 41
62
51
61
42
62
43
58
48 47
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a moderate
42 Responsive Management
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a lot, a moderate amount, or a
little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in their county to increase.)
25
38
28 28
16
35 34
21
37
24
33
2326
3631
20
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a little
Q10. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase a lot, a moderate amount, or a
little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in their county to increase.)
0 27 6
0 3 0 1 2 1 0 00 0 03
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know how much the black bear population should increase
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 43
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to decrease.)(Statewide)
6
29
18
47
0 20 40 60 80 100
Decrease a lot
Decrease amoderateamount
Decrease a little
Don't know
Percent (n=654)
44 Responsive Management
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to decrease.)(Statewide)
4
49
21
27
1
30
35
34
4
41
32
23
1
25
43
31
10
26
4
59
0 20 40 60 80 100
Decrease a lot
Decrease amoderateamount
Decrease a little
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=38)North Central (n=258)South Central (n=170)Northeastern (n=155)Southeastern (n=33)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 45
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to decrease.)(Western Region)
50
20
27
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Decrease a lot
Decrease amoderate amount
Decrease a little
Don't know
Percent (n=38)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
46 Responsive Management
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to decrease.)(North Central Region)
28
35
34
30
35
32
3323
49
27
10
39
35
26
0 20 40 60 80 100
Decrease a lot
Decrease amoderateamount
Decrease a little
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=56)WMU 2G (n=70)WMU 3A (n=92)WMU 4D (n=40)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 47
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to decrease.)(South Central Region)
5
39
39
16
7
34
24
35
0
28
19
53
0
17
29
54
0
21
38
41
0 20 40 60 80 100
Decrease a lot
Decrease amoderateamount
Decrease a little
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=27)WMU 2D (n=35)WMU 2E (n=33)WMU 4A (n=42)WMU 4B (n=33)
48 Responsive Management
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to decrease.)(Northeastern Region)
14
41
45
04
34
29
3213
56
31
00
37
36
27
3
38
36
22
0 20 40 60 80 100
Decrease a lot
Decrease amoderateamount
Decrease a little
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=29)WMU 3C (n=34)WMU 3D (n=33)WMU 4C (n=28)WMU 4E (n=31)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 49
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a
lot, a moderate amount, or a little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in
their county to decrease.)(Southeastern Region)
10
26
4
59
0 20 40 60 80 100
Decrease a lot
Decrease amoderateamount
Decrease a little
Don't know
Percent (n=33)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
50 Responsive Management
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a
little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in their county to decrease.)
3527
14
3431
17
41
27 2622
59
49
16
3428 28
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a lot
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a
little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in their county to decrease.)
32
4941
29
56
29
38 36 35 36
4
21
39
2419
35
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a moderate amount
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 51
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a
little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in their county to decrease.)
33
23
45
32
13
54
21
37 39 38
26 27
3935
53
34
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a little
Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a
little? (Asked of individuals who want the black bear population in their county to decrease.)
0 1 04
0 0 0 0 03
1045 7
03
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know how much the black bear population should decrease
52 Responsive Management
16
4
59
0
4
6
3
2
6
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase a lot
Increase a moderate amount
Increase a little
Don't know degree of increase
Remain the same
Decrease a little
Decrease a moderate amount
Decrease a lot
Don't know degree of decrease
Don't know whether bearpopulation should increase,
remain the same, or decrease
Percent (n=4411)
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or
decrease?Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in
the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
(Statewide)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 53
12
7
3
4
64
2
6
2
13
5
6
6
56
3
7
5
4
5
60
6
9
4
3
911
3
5
3
63
2
9
3
20
7
0
3
58
4
4
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Increase a lot
Increase a moderate amount
Increase a little
Remain the same
Decrease a little
Decrease a moderate amount
Decrease a lot
Don't know whether bearpopulation should increase,
remain
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the
county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
(Statewide)
(Note: Regional graphs are not shown for the combination of Questions 9, 10, and 11.)
54 Responsive Management
4 4 1 1 3 4 5 2 2 2 3 26
1 4 4
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?
Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a lot
5 5 7 811 8 8 10 9 9
4 69 11 8 7
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?
Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a moderate amount
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 55
3 6 3 4 37 7
3 6 4 4 25 7 5 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?
Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a little
0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 10
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?
Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
Percent who don't know how much the black bear population should increase
56 Responsive Management
5650
5863 66
57 57
6558
6458
6461 60 6155
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?
Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should remain the same
8 6 5 3 28
2 3 4 4 3 44 4 6 5
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?
Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a little
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 57
713
5 37 5 4 3 4 4
0 34 3 2 5
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?
Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a moderate
8 72 4 4 3 4 2 3 2
7 72 4 3 4
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?
Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a lot
58 Responsive Management
9 8
1814
5 813 10
1411
20
129 10 10
16
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Q9. In your opinion, should the black bear population in the county where you live increase, remain the same, or decrease?
Q10/11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live increase/decrease a lot, a moderate amount, or a little?
Percent who don't know whether the black bear population should increase, remain the same, or decrease
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 59
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around
your primary home and in your area?(Statewide)
21
40
10
7
7
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
I want to see and haveblack bears in my yard.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
neighborhood but notin my yard.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
community but not inmy neighborhood.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
township or city but notin my community.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
county but not in mytownship or city.
I feel uncomfortableabout having blackbears even in my
county.
Percent (n=4411)
60 Responsive Management
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around
your primary home and in your area?
11
35
12
8
12
23
24
41
9
13
6
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
I want to see andhave black bears
in my yard.
I want to see andhave black bears
in myneighborhood but
not in my yard.
I want to see andhave black bearsin my community
but not in myneighborhood.
I want to see andhave black bearsin my township orcity but not in my
community.
I want to see andhave black bearsin my county but
not in mytownship or city.
I feeluncomfortableabout having
black bears evenin my county.
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
Note that some hunters do not show comfort with having black bears nearby. In fact, one hunter indicated not wanting black bears in his county because he felt bears negatively affected his deer hunting.
In general, hunters are more comfortable around black bears than are non-hunters, however...
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 61
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around
your primary home and in your area?
40
16
8
9
12
14
7
7
13
10
41
22
0 20 40 60 80 100
I want to see and haveblack bears in my yard.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
neighborhood but not inmy yard.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
community but not in myneighborhood.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
township or city but notin my community.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my countybut not in my township or
city.
I feel uncomfortableabout having black bears
even in my county.
Percent
Had property damagecaused by black bears
Did not have propertydamage caused byblack bears
Interestingly, many people who have experienced nuisance bear damage still want them around. One respondent commented, "We've had damage, but we still like seeing them around."
These results appear to suggest that familiarity with bears, even despite damage, leads some people to feel comfortable about having them around.
On the other hand, other people do not want bears around, even if they have not experienced any damage.
62 Responsive Management
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around
your primary home and in your area?(Statewide)
24
42
7
14
7
6
8
29
12
24
13
14
13
28
13
10
14
23
13
30
14
21
9
12
26
45
8
5
4
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
yard.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
neighborhood but notin my yard.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
community but not inmy neighborhood.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
township or city butnot in my community.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
county but not in mytownship or city.
I feel uncomfortableabout having blackbears even in my
county.
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 63
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around
your primary home and in your area?(Western Region)
14
8
6
7
42
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
I want to see andhave black bears in
my yard.
I want to see andhave black bears in
my neighborhood butnot in my yard.
I want to see andhave black bears in
my community but notin my neighborhood.
I want to see andhave black bears inmy township or city
but not in mycommunity.
I want to see andhave black bears inmy county but not inmy township or city.
I feel uncomfortableabout having blackbears even in my
county.
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
64 Responsive Management
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around
your primary home and in your area?(North Central Region)
35
19
10
7
23
77
27
12
28
12
16
10
20
10
18
28
13
8
33
14
14
12
18
0 20 40 60 80 100
I want to see and have black bearsin my yard.
I want to see and have black bearsin my neighborhood but not in my
yard.
I want to see and have black bearsin my community but not in my
neighborhood.
I want to see and have black bearsin my township or city but not in my
community.
I want to see and have black bearsin my county but not in my township
or city.
I feel uncomfortable about havingblack bears even in my county.
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 65
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around
your primary home and in your area?(South Central Region)
12
30
13
8
14
24
16
28
14
20
12
11
8
23
13
27
19
11
13
29
11
18
17
12
13
32
14
12
11
19
0 20 40 60 80 100
I want to see andhave black bears in
my yard.
I want to see andhave black bears inmy neighborhoodbut not in my yard.
I want to see andhave black bears inmy community but
not in myneighborhood.
I want to see andhave black bears inmy township or city
but not in mycommunity.
I want to see andhave black bears inmy county but not inmy township or city.
I feel uncomfortableabout having blackbears even in my
county.
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
66 Responsive Management
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around
your primary home and in your area?(Northeastern Region)
16
6
14
8
42
1412
36
12
18
11
12
17
17
14
10
28
14
11
29
19
10
10
21
9
34
18
10
11
18
0 20 40 60 80 100
I want to see andhave black bears in
my yard.
I want to see andhave black bears in
my neighborhood butnot in my yard.
I want to see andhave black bears in
my community but notin my neighborhood.
I want to see andhave black bears inmy township or city
but not in mycommunity.
I want to see andhave black bears inmy county but not inmy township or city.
I feel uncomfortableabout having blackbears even in my
county.
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 67
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around
your primary home and in your area?(Southeastern Region)
26
45
8
5
4
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
I want to see and haveblack bears in my yard.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
neighborhood but notin my yard.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
community but not inmy neighborhood.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
township or city but notin my community.
I want to see and haveblack bears in my
county but not in mytownship or city.
I feel uncomfortableabout having blackbears even in my
county.
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
68 Responsive Management
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around your primary home and in
your area?
28 28
16 18
28
19 19 21 18 1811 14
2420
2735
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who want to see and have black bears in their yard
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around your primary home and in
your area?
1218
611 10
1711 10 12 11
4 714 12
19 19
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who want to see and have black bears in their neighborhood but not in their yard
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 69
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around your primary home and in
your area?
1610
14 12 14 12 12 1014
105 68
11 11 10
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who want to see and have black bears in their community but not in their neighborhood
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around your primary home and in
your area?
12 138
12 14 1014
1914
18
8 713 14 13
7
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who want to see and have black bears in their township or city but not in their community
70 Responsive Management
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around your primary home and in
your area?
2720
4236
17
2832 29
33 34
4542
30 2823 23
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who want to see and have have black bears in their county but not in their township or city
Q12. Which of the following statements best describes your feelings about black bears around your primary home and in
your area?
710
14 1217
13 13 11 8 9
26 24
1216
8 7
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who feel uncomfortable about having black bears even in their county
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 71
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. Significance Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Is male. p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.05
72 Responsive Management
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. Significance Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.01
Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.01
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.05
Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.05
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood.
Significance
Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.01
Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.05
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.05 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.05 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 73
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
Significance
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.01 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.01
Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.05
Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.05 Is male. p < 0.05 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.05
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city.
Significance
Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.01 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.05
74 Responsive Management
Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. Significance Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is female. p < 0.001 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.01
Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.01
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 75
OPINIONS ON THE HUNTING OF BLACK BEARS AND BLACK BEAR MANAGEMENT
The large majority of residents (79%) agree that black bear populations should be managed
to control their population size in Pennsylvania; meanwhile, 14% oppose.
• Regional crosstabulation: There are no marked regional variations to this question.
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with agreeing that black bear
populations should be managed to control their population size suggest the following:
o Those who agree that black bears should be managed to control their population size
are more likely than are those who do not agree to say that they know a great deal
about black bears in Pennsylvania and to not be very interested in receiving
information about them.
o Those who agree that black bears should be managed to control their population size,
compared to those who do not, are more likely to be uncomfortable about black bears
and to want the bear population in their county to decrease.
o Those who agree that black bears should be managed to control their population size
are more likely, relative to those who do not, to support hunting of black bears and to
have hunted in the past 2 years.
o Those who agree that black bears should be managed to control their population size,
compared to those who do not, are more likely to support relocating black bears that
have caused agricultural damage, to support relocating bears that have caused
property damage to residences or campgrounds, and to support the use of non-lethal
repellents on them. However, they are also more likely to not indicate supporting
relocating bears that have attempted to enter or have actually entered buildings.
o Those who agree that black bears should be managed to control their population size,
compared to those who do not, are more likely to rate the Commission’s management
of black bears as excellent or good.
o Finally, those who agree that black bears should be managed to control their
population size are positively correlated to the following demographic characteristics:
being male, having an educational level that is in the lower range, being in the older
age groups, and living in the Western Region or the North Central Region.
76 Responsive Management
The survey asked residents to rate the Commission’s management of black bears in
Pennsylvania. The results are positive: 63% rate the Commission’s management as
excellent or good (but mostly good rather than excellent), while only 13% rate the
Commission as fair or poor (mostly fair). Nearly a quarter cannot say.
• Regional crosstabulation: Respondents from the North Central and South Central
Regions are slightly more likely, relative to respondents from other regions, to give a fair
or poor rating. (Nonetheless, each region has a majority of respondents giving an
excellent or good rating.) This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with rating the Commission’s
management of black bears as excellent or good suggest the following:
o Those who rate the Commission’s management of black bears as excellent or good,
compared to those who do not, are more likely to think that the black bear population
in their county should remain the same as it is, to agree that the black bear population
should be managed to control the population, and to show a moderate comfort level
with black bears (wanting black bears in their township or neighborhood rather than
having the extreme positions of wanting them in their yard or being completely
uncomfortable about bears in their county).
o Those who rate the Commission’s management of black bears as excellent or good,
relative to those who do not, are more likely to support black bear hunting and to
have hunted in the past 2 years (but not necessarily having hunted black bears).
o Those who rate the Commission’s management of black bears as excellent or good,
compared to those who do not, are more likely to support relocating black bears that
have caused agricultural damage, to support relocating bears that have caused
property damage to residences or campgrounds, and to use non-lethal repellents on
them. However, they are also more likely to not indicate supporting relocating bears
that have attempted to enter or have actually entered buildings.
o Finally, positive demographic correlations to rating the Commission’s management of
black bears as excellent or good include being in the younger age groups; living in a
rural area, including on a farm; living in the Northeastern or North Central Regions;
being in the lower to middle educational groups; and being white.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 77
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with rating the Commission’s
management of black bears as fair or poor suggest the following:
o Those who rate the Commission’s management of black bears as fair or poor,
compared to those who do not, are more likely to want the black bear population in
their county to decrease or increase (rather than stay the same—this indicates that
there are two groups who rate the Commission’s management of black bear as fair or
poor). They are also more likely to want to see and have black bears in their yard or
to be completely uncomfortable about having black bears in their county (again, an
indication of two disparate groups giving similar ratings). These two groups would
seem to be of the same opinion, however, that they do not indicate agreement that
black bear populations should be managed to control their population size.
o Those who rate the Commission’s management of black bears as fair or poor, relative
to those who do not, are more likely to not support hunting of black bears, and they
are more likely to have hunted. This again suggests that two groups are involved.
Additionally, be aware that some hunters do not support hunting black bears.
Previous research has suggested that support for hunting more common animals,
particularly deer, is higher than support for hunting less common animals, including
predators like bears.
o Those who rate the Commission’s management of black bears as fair or poor,
compared to those who do not, are more likely to have had nuisance bear damage, but
not to indicate supporting having the Commission relocate a bear that is causing
agricultural damage.
o Finally, demographic characteristics positively correlated with rating the
Commission’s management of black bears as fair or poor include living in the South
Central or North Central Region, being in the middle to older age groups, living in a
rural area, and being non-white.
o Note that the reason “being rural” is positively correlated with both ends of the rating
scale regarding the Commission’s management of black bears (both excellent/good
and fair/poor) is that non-rural respondents were more likely to answer “don’t know”
to this question.
78 Responsive Management
In a related question, the large majority of Pennsylvania residents (70%) support the legal,
regulated hunting of black bears, while 23% oppose. (Rounding makes the sum of strongly
and moderately support and the sum of moderately and strongly oppose appear to be 1
percentage point off on the graph—the graph shows percentages rounded to integers.)
• Regional crosstabulation: Respondents from the North Central and South Central
Regions are slightly more likely, relative to respondents from other regions, to support
hunting of black bears. Conversely, respondents from the Southeastern Region are
slightly more likely, relative to respondents from other regions, to oppose hunting of
black bears. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
• Common reasons for supporting the hunting of black bears include that hunting is the
best way to control black bear populations, that population control is needed, that the
respondent simply is not opposed to hunting in general, and that hunting black bears in
Pennsylvania is a tradition. Note that the feeling that black bears threaten human safety
is not a particularly important reason (only 7% of those who support hunting of black
bears gave this reason for supporting black bear hunting).
• The most common reason for opposing the hunting of black bears is a general opposition
to hunting—the top reason by far. Other common reasons (but well below the general
opposition to hunting) include the respondent’s feeling that other methods of population
control are better, an opposition to trophy hunting, and that the black bear population is
too low.
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with supporting the legal, regulated
hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania suggest the following:
o Those who support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears, compared to those
who do not indicate supporting it, are more likely to be very interested in receiving
information about black bears and to know a great deal about them.
o Those who support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears, compared to those
who do not indicate supporting it, are more likely to agree that the black bear
populations should be managed to control their population and to think that the black
bear population in their county should decrease or increase (rather than remain the
same—this suggests two groups that support black bear hunting).
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 79
o Those who support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears are more likely to have
hunted in the past 2 years, compared to those who do not indicate supporting it.
o Those who support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears, relative to those who
do not indicate supporting it, are more likely to have experienced nuisance bear
problems, to support relocating bears that have caused property damage to residences
or campgrounds or to use non-lethal repellents on them, but to not indicate supporting
relocating bears that have attempted to enter or have actually entered buildings.
o Those who support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears, compared to those
who do not indicate supporting it, are more likely to rate the Commission’s
management of black bears as excellent or good.
o Finally, those who support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears are positively
correlated to the following demographic characteristics: being male; living in a rural
area, including on a farm; being white; living in the North Central, South Central, or
Northeastern Region; having an educational level that is in the lower range; and being
in the middle age group.
In follow-up to the question about support or opposition to black bear hunting were five
questions about support or opposition to various types of black bear hunting activities, such
as hunting over bait or hunting with dogs. These questions found much lower support for
various black bear hunting activities than for black bear hunting in general. While 70%
support black bear hunting in general, all other permutations of black bear hunting have no
more than a third in support: hunting limited to archery equipment (33%), hunting black bear
in spring (22%), allowing a training season in which to chase bears with dogs but not hunt
(18%), hunting black bear with dogs (13%), and hunting using bait (12%). Conversely, all
except black bear hunting in general and black bear hunting limited to archery equipment had
69% or more in opposition, with the most opposition to hunting using bait (84% oppose).
These results are shown together as well as individually.
• Regional crosstabulations. The regional variation in support/opposition to black bear
hunting in general was already discussed above (Respondents from the North Central and
South Central Regions being slightly more likely to support; Southeastern Region
80 Responsive Management
respondents being the most likely to oppose). Regarding various black bear hunting
activities, the following marked regional variations were found:
o Legal, regulated black bear hunting in the spring: The only marked difference is
simply a carryover from the opposition to black bear hunting in general (from
Question 14), with Southeastern Region respondents the most likely to oppose all
hunting of black bears. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
o Separate legal, regulated black bear season limited to archery equipment: The only
marked difference is simply a carryover from the opposition to black bear hunting in
general (from Question 14), with Southeastern Region respondents the most likely to
oppose all hunting of black bears. This difference is statistically significant
(p < 0.001).
o Black bear hunting using bait: South Central Region respondents are the most likely
to support. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
o Black bear hunting using dogs: Western and South Central Region respondents are
the most likely to support. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
o A training season allowing people to chase black bears with dogs but not harvest any
black bears: North Central and South Central Region respondents are the most likely
to oppose. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 81
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their
population size in Pennsylvania?(Statewide)
5
6
8
2
34
45
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
82 Responsive Management
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their
population size in Pennsylvania?(Statewide)
5
5
6
48
35
2
3
6
5
46
38
2
4
5
9
3
38
41
5
6
8
45
33
3
6
6
9
2
32
45
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglyagree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 83
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their
population size in Pennsylvania?(Western Region)
47
35
2
6
5
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
84 Responsive Management
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their
population size in Pennsylvania?(North Central Region)
41
41
1
8
5
43
6
6
50
34
1
5
4
2
33
48
8
3
5
4
2
40
45
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 85
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their
population size in Pennsylvania?(South Central Region)
2
6
12
3
40
36
6
4
4
47
36
3
3
3
8
41
42
3
4
3
8
54
30
2
3
5
6
6
28
51
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
86 Responsive Management
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their
population size in Pennsylvania?(Northeastern Region)
46
36
4
5
3
75
6
5
52
29
4
2
9
1
32
47
9
5
5
13
4
35
38
2
11
4
2
30
50
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderately agree
Neither agree nordisagree
Moderatelydisagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 87
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their
population size in Pennsylvania?(Southeastern Region)
6
6
9
2
32
45
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly agree
Moderatelyagree
Neither agreenor disagree
Moderatelydisagree
Stronglydisagree
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
88 Responsive Management
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in
Pennsylvania?
50 48 4652
4754 51
3845
5045 48
36
4741 41
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly agree
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in
Pennsylvania?
34 33 3629 32 29 28
3540
30 32 3540
3642 41
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately agree
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 89
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in
Pennsylvania?
1 2 4 4 1 26 4 2 2 2 23 3 3 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither agree nor disagree
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in
Pennsylvania?
6 8 5 59 8 6
13
4 49 6
12
48 8
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately disagree
90 Responsive Management
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in
Pennsylvania?
6 4 3 6 93 5 5 5
116 56 4 3 5
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly disagree
Q13. Do you agree or disagree that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in
Pennsylvania?
3 5 7 5 2 4 3 5 3 26 52
6 3 4
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether the black bear populations should be managed to control their size
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 91
Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
Significance
Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Is male. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.05 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.05
92 Responsive Management
Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
Significance
Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Is female. p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.01 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.01 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.05
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.05
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.05
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.05 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 93
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
(Statewide)
24
2
11
46
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
94 Responsive Management
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
(Statewide)
25
1
19
46
8
10
3
19
52
15
15
4
17
46
17
14
2
19
56
9
29
1
11
43
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 95
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
(Western Region)
19
46
9
1
25
0 20 40 60 80 100
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
96 Responsive Management
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
(North Central Region)
10
51
24
3
139
6
17
47
21
12
19
51
13
5
11
1
9
55
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 97
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
(South Central Region)
17
5
19
41
18
15
3
17
51
14
10
3
21
51
16
13
1
15
52
19
13
2
19
51
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
98 Responsive Management
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
(Northeastern Region)
21
52
11
0
1613
2
21
54
10
9
6
66
17
2
18
1
8
54
19
14
3
12
52
20
0 20 40 60 80 100
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 99
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
(Southeastern Region)
29
1
11
43
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
100 Responsive Management
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job
managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
1713
21 2117 15 15
1923 20
16 1918 1721
10
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent job managing Pennsylvania's black bears
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job
managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
4751 52 54
66
52 51 54 5552
4346
41
51 51 51
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 101
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job
managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
21 1911 10
6
19 19
8 9 12 11 8
1914 16
24
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair job managing Pennsylvania's black bears
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job
managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
6 50 2 2 1 2 1 1 3 1 1
5 3 3 30
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears
102 Responsive Management
Q55. Overall, do you believe the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair, or poor job
managing Pennsylvania's black bears?
9 1216 13
913 13
1811 14
2925
17 1510 13
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they don't know if the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent, good, fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 103
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
Significance
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.001
Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.01 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
104 Responsive Management
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
Significance
Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.01 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.01 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.05
Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 105
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
(Statewide)
1
15
7
6
31
40
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
70%
23%
106 Responsive Management
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
(Statewide)
2
11
7
37
33
10
1
6
5
53
33
2
2
9
6
3
31
49
1
12
5
43
36
3
1
21
8
6
29
36
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 107
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
(Western Region)
37
33
10
7
11
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
108 Responsive Management
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
(North Central Region)
42
36
0
15
5
11
5
4
59
29
2
1
8
2
30
56
3
1
7
3
2
35
52
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 109
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
(South Central Region)
3
12
5
3
31
46
0
5
8
48
35
4
2
5
5
57
29
2
3
4
4
60
27
2
3
5
8
2
30
52
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
110 Responsive Management
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
(Northeastern Region)
38
33
5
5
18
12
11
6
47
31
3
0
14
3
31
49
4
1
7
6
2
46
38
2
7
5
3
31
52
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 111
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
(Southeastern Region)
1
21
8
6
29
36
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
112 Responsive Management
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
5956
38
47 49
60
52
38
52 52
36 37
46 48
57
42
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
29 30 33 31 3126
30
46
3531 29
333135
2936
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 113
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
2 25 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 6
103 4 2 0
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor oppose
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
4 3 5 6 4 48 6 3 5
8 75 8 5
15
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
114 Responsive Management
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
5 8
1811 14
4 5 7 7 7
21
11125 5 5
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q14. Do you support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania?
1 1 1 2 04 3 1 1 2 1 23 0 2 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 115
Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. Significance Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Is male. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.01 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.05
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
116 Responsive Management
Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.
Significance
Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Is female. p < 0.001 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.05
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 117
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Statewide)
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
7
13
18
34
49
2
2
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Hunting is the best way to controlpopulations
Population control is needed
Not opposed to hunting in general
Hunting black bears is a tradition
Black bears threaten human safety
Want the opportunity to hunt black bears
Enjoys hunting or knows someone wholikes to hunt
Want to harvest a black bear
Don't know
Black bears cause damage to property
Black bears cause damage to crops
Other
Hunting is a food source
Black bears cause damage to livestock
It is a sport
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=3641)
118 Responsive Management
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 1.)(Statewide)
2
1
2
2
12
15
52
28
18
3
2
3
3
3
18
50
33
13
7
5
14
13
30
47
2
3
52
2
1
6
4
11
49
30
19
0
2
2
3
7
13
20
39
48
0 20 40 60 80 100
Hunting is the bestway to controlpopulations
Population control isneeded
Not opposed tohunting in general
Hunting black bearsis a tradition
Black bears threatenhuman safety
Want the opportunityto hunt black bears
Enjoys hunting orknows someone who
likes to hunt
Want to harvest ablack bear
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=210)North Central (n=970)South Central (n=1155)Northeastern (n=1108)Southeastern (n=198)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 119
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 2.)(Statewide)
0
1
0
1
0
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
2
1
10
0
1
0
3
2
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Black bears causedamage to property
Black bears causedamage to crops
Other
Hunting is a foodsource
Black bears causedamage to livestock
It is a sport
Black bears are anuisance
Black bears arescary / does not like
bears
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=210)North Central (n=970)South Central (n=1155)Northeastern (n=1108)Southeastern (n=198)
120 Responsive Management
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Western Region)
2
2
2
52
28
18
14
12
2
1
1
1
1
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Hunting is the best way to control populations
Population control is needed
Not opposed to hunting in general
Hunting black bears is a tradition
Black bears threaten human safety
Enjoys hunting or knows someone who likesto hunt
Black bears cause damage to property
Black bears cause damage to crops
Want the opportunity to hunt black bears
Black bears cause damage to livestock
Black bears are a nuisance
Want to harvest a black bear
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=210)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 121
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 1.)(North Central Region)
7
4
41
42
13
13
3
5
1
3
3
4
9
53
40
10
3
1
4
9
16
27
45
14
1
3
3
2
15
24
27
51
0 20 40 60 80 100
Hunting is the bestway to controlpopulations
Population controlis needed
Hunting blackbears is a tradition
Not opposed tohunting in general
Want theopportunity to hunt
black bears
Black bearsthreaten human
safety
Enjoys hunting orknows someonewho likes to hunt
Black bears causedamage toproperty
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=245)WMU 2G (n=249)WMU 3A (n=238)WMU 4D (n=238)
122 Responsive Management
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 2.)(North Central Region)
3
1
1
1
3
1
3
1
0
3
1
0
1
2
0
2
1
2
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
4
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Want to harvest ablack bear
Black bears causedamage to crops
Black bears are anuisance
It is a sport
Black bears arescary / does not
like bears
Hunting is a foodsource
Black bears causedamage tolivestock
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=245)WMU 2G (n=249)WMU 3A (n=238)WMU 4D (n=238)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 123
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Part 1.)
(South Central Region)
6
8
16
6
30
45
7
25
4
2
6
12
52
27
14
5
5
3
11
11
40
30
18
2
1
5
5
12
51
39
27
2
1
5
4
17
23
21
48
0 20 40 60 80 100
Hunting is the bestway to controlpopulations
Population control isneeded
Not opposed tohunting in general
Hunting black bearsis a tradition
Want the opportunityto hunt black bears
Black bears threatenhuman safety
Don't know
Want to harvest ablack bear
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=219)WMU 2D (n=242)WMU 2E (n=238)WMU 4A (n=234)WMU 4B (n=222)
124 Responsive Management
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Part 2.)
(South Central Region)
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
0
11
0
2
0
2
1
2
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
2
4
2
1
1
1
0
0
2
2
2
2
2
0
2
1
2
1
1
2
3
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Enjoys hunting orknows someonewho likes to hunt
Black bears causedamage to property
It is a sport
Black bears causedamage to crops
Black bears causedamage tolivestock
Black bears arescary / does not
like bears
Other
Hunting is a foodsource
Black bears are anuisance
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=219)WMU 2D (n=242)WMU 2E (n=238)WMU 4A (n=234)WMU 4B (n=222)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 125
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 1.)(Northeastern Region)
3
2
1
52
37
22
12
4
4
2
5
3
5
5
17
42
42
10
1
1
3
3
6
22
29
50
6
1
2
3
4
5
13
18
27
47
2
3
2
1
12
14
17
21
56
0 20 40 60 80 100
Hunting is the best way to controlpopulations
Population control is needed
Not opposed to hunting in general
Hunting black bears is a tradition
Want the opportunity to hunt blackbears
Black bears threaten human safety
Hunting is a food source
Want to harvest a black bear
Black bears cause damage toproperty
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=212)WMU 3C (n=218)WMU 3D (n=219)WMU 4C (n=228)WMU 4E (n=231)
126 Responsive Management
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 2.)(Northeastern Region)
2
2
3
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
3
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Enjoys hunting or knows someonewho likes to hunt
It is a sport
Black bears cause damage tocrops
Black bears cause damage tolivestock
Black bears are a nuisance
Black bears are scary / does notlike bears
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=212)WMU 3C (n=218)WMU 3D (n=219)WMU 4C (n=228)WMU 4E (n=231)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 127
Q17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Southeastern Region)
1
1
3
7
13
20
39
48
2
2
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Hunting is the best way to controlpopulations
Population control is needed
Not opposed to hunting in general
Hunting black bears is a tradition
Black bears threaten human safety
Want the opportunity to hunt black bears
Enjoys hunting or knows someone wholikes to hunt
Want to harvest a black bear
Black bears cause damage to property
Black bears cause damage to crops
It is a sport
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=198)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5Cand 5D
128 Responsive Management
17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg Hunting is the best way to control population
45.0 52.1 40.1 41.4 53.4 45.4 51.7 42.4 50.0 48.4
Population control is needed
30.2 26.8 30.4 41.9 39.9 27.3 36.9 42.3 28.7 31.7
Not opposed to hunting in general
6.5 14.4 18.1 12.8 9.4 14.4 21.8 9.7 21.9 16.8
Hunting black bears is a tradition
15.7 11.7 10.7 13.5 10.1 16.2 12.4 17.1 6.1 13.8
Want the opportunity to hunt black bears
7.6 6.3 10.7 3.1 4.4 9.5 3.8 5.2 5.7 5.5
Black bears threaten human safety
6.0 2.5 3.1 4.9 2.7 4.1 4.2 4.5 3.2 4.6
Want to harvest a black bear 1.9 5.1 4.5 0.9 1.7 3.9 1.8 4.7 0.9 2.3
Enjoys hunting or knows someone who likes to hunt
2.2 1.6 3.5 4.4 2.9 1.3 3.3 1.1 0.5 2.2
Black bears cause damage to property
2.5 2.2 1.9 6.9 0.9 2.8 2.6 1.8 0.9 2.2
Hunting is a food source 0.4 0.0 0.8 0.4 0.5 2.2 0.6 3.3 3.5 1.3
Black bears cause damage to crops
1.0 1.2 1.7 3.1 0.8 1.3 1.1 0.3 0.0 1.1
Hunting black bears is a sport. 1.6 1.0 1.5 2.6 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.6 0.9 0.9
Black bears cause damage to livestock
0.5 1.6 0.7 1.0 0.2 0.8 0.5 1.4 0.0 0.7
Black bears are a nuisance 0.9 1.3 0.2 0.8 1.7 1.2 1.2 0.0 0.5 0.7
Black bears are scary / Does not like bears
1.8 0.4 0.4 0.8 1.8 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.2 0.6
Other 1.9 1.6 0.5 0.8 0.9 1.0 2.2 1.2 0.9 0.9 Don't know 6.9 3.9 4.7 3.0 2.8 3.2 1.9 1.5 1.5 2.6
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 129
17. Why do you support the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg Hunting is the best way to control population
51.5 47.9 47.1 51.3 55.5 47.6 51.8 48.4
Population control is needed 39.6 21.2 27.0 27.3 20.7 38.7 28.4 31.7
Not opposed to hunting in general 28.1 23.4 18.2 15.1 17.1 19.8 17.6 16.8
Hunting black bears is a tradition 12.1 16.7 12.8 23.9 14.0 12.6 14.6 13.8
Want the opportunity to hunt black bears 4.7 3.8 4.9 1.7 11.6 2.6 1.9 5.5
Black bears threaten human safety 4.7 4.9 4.5 3.2 1.2 7.5 12.0 4.6
Want to harvest a black bear 1.5 1.7 1.7 1.5 2.7 2.0 0.6 2.3
Enjoys hunting or knows someone who likes to hunt
2.1 2.8 0.6 3.1 1.8 2.4 2.1 2.2
Black bears cause damage to property 2.4 2.5 1.2 1.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 2.2
Hunting is a food source 1.0 1.6 2.8 0.0 2.5 0.3 0.4 1.3
Black bears cause damage to crops 2.0 0.9 1.2 0.2 0.0 0.8 2.1 1.1
Hunting black bears is a sport. 1.6 1.7 0.8 0.0 0.2 0.6 0.0 0.9
Black bears cause damage to livestock 1.6 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 1.4 0.7
Black bears are a nuisance 1.0 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.7
Black bears are scary / Does not like bears
0.0 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6
Other 0.2 0.5 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.9 Don't know 0.5 0.9 2.9 3.9 2.8 0.0 1.9 2.6
130 Responsive Management
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Statewide)
1
1
2
3
5
6
7
8
16
57
4
4
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Opposed to all hunting
Prefer other methods of population control
Opposed to trophy hunting
Black bear population is too low
Approve of hunting, but oppose bearhunting
Black bears do not cause problems
Black bears are a part of nature
Opposed to current methods of hunting ortrapping
Enjoys the black bear population and / orworries about future bear populations
Don't know
Want black bear population to be larger
Other
Opposed to state regulations
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=574)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 131
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 1.)(Statewide)
9
7
4
4
51
19
3
0
15
8
10
61
11
3
6
7
8
6
9
48
13
7
8
11
58
6
7
4
4
6
7
9
18
59
0 20 40 60 80 100
Opposed to allhunting
Prefer othermethods of
population control
Opposed to trophyhunting
Black bearpopulation is too
low
Approve of hunting,but oppose bear
hunting
Black bears do notcause problems
Black bears are apart of nature
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=48)North Central (n=100)South Central (n=144)Northeastern (n=209)Southeastern (n=73)
132 Responsive Management
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 2.)(Statewide)
2
3
2
2
0
0
2
0
3
3
9
0
3
2
1
3
4
3
8
11
20
1
2
4
1
1
3
0
0
0
1
3
3
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Opposed to current methods of hunting ortrapping
Enjoys the black bear population and / orworries about future bear populations
Don't know
Want black bear population to be larger
Other
Opposed to state regulations
Against hunting unless it's for food
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=48)North Central (n=100)South Central (n=144)Northeastern (n=209)Southeastern (n=73)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 133
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Western Region)
2
3
3
51
19
9
6
4
4
1
2
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Opposed to all hunting
Prefer other methods of populationcontrol
Black bears are a part of nature
Black bears do not cause problems
Black bear population is too low
Approve of hunting, but oppose bearhunting
Opposed to trophy hunting
Opposed to state regulations
Against hunting unless it's for food
Want black bear population to belarger
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=48)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
134 Responsive Management
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(North Central Region)
0
2
8
73
8
6
6
3
2
0
0
35
4
0
0
0
0
9
31
23
55
2
12
0
11
2
0
16
11
10
0
12
44
37
2
0
3
0
8
3
0
11
0
8
11
20
61
0 20 40 60 80 100
Opposed to all hunting
Black bears do not cause problems
Black bear population is too low
Prefer other methods of population control
Want black bear population to be larger
Approve of hunting, but oppose bearhunting
Enjoys the black bear population and / orworries about future bear populations
Opposed to trophy hunting
Opposed to state regulations
Opposed to current methods of hunting ortrapping
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=30)WMU 2G (n=18)WMU 3A (n=24)WMU 4D (n=28)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 135
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Part 1.)
(South Central Region)
8
7
14
8
2
51
91
0
7
8
41
29
6
8
5
0
3
45
8
11
5
11
14
0
56
14
5
7
10
9
4
8
9
51
0 20 40 60 80 100
Opposed to allhunting
Prefer othermethods of
population control
Black bearpopulation is too low
Opposed to currentmethods of hunting
or trapping
Black bears do notcause problems
Opposed to trophyhunting
Approve of hunting,but oppose bear
hunting
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=37)WMU 2D (n=20)WMU 2E (n=27)WMU 4A (n=25)WMU 4B (n=35)
136 Responsive Management
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Part 2.)
(South Central Region)
3
3
0
4
3
10
03
0
3
0
4
2
0
3
0
0
7
3
9
3
0
4
0
4
5
0
2
1
0
1
1
9
7
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Enjoys the black bear population and / orworries about future bear populations
Want black bear population to be larger
Don't know
Opposed to state regulations
Other
Against hunting unless it's for food
Black bears are a part of nature
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=37)WMU 2D (n=20)WMU 2E (n=27)WMU 4A (n=25)WMU 4B (n=35)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 137
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 1.)(Northeastern Region)
50
14
2
13
15
55
5
12
54
10
26
7
3
2
10
66
4
9
6
2
9
8
63
14
4
7
6
11
49
0 20 40 60 80 100
Opposed to allhunting
Black bearpopulation is too
low
Prefer othermethods ofpopulation
control
Opposed totrophy hunting
Approve ofhunting, butoppose bear
hunting
Black bears donot causeproblems
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=43)WMU 3C (n=42)WMU 3D (n=50)WMU 4C (n=42)WMU 4E (n=32)
138 Responsive Management
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.) (Part 2.)(Northeastern Region)
3
1
4
2
0
0
1
0
3
5
0
0
0
8
0
1
4
0
0
0
1
6
3
3
3
6
0
1
0
3
3
4
1
0
1
0
0
3
1
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Want black bear population to belarger
Black bears are a part of nature
Enjoys the black bear populationand / or worries about future bear
populations
Opposed to state regulations
Opposed to current methods ofhunting or trapping
Against hunting unless it's for food
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=43)WMU 3C (n=42)WMU 3D (n=50)WMU 4C (n=42)WMU 4E (n=32)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 139
Q21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? (Asked of individuals who oppose legal, regulated hunting of
black bears.)(Southeastern Region)
3
4
4
59
18
9
7
6
5
3
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Opposed to all hunting
Prefer other methods of population control
Opposed to trophy hunting
Black bear population is too low
Approve of hunting, but oppose bearhunting
Opposed to current methods of hunting ortrapping
Black bears do not cause problems
Black bears are a part of nature
Enjoys the black bear population and / orworries about future bear populations
Don't know
Want black bear population to be larger
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=73)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D
140 Responsive Management
21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg Opposed to all hunting 50.5 40.6 45.4 73.3 54.7 36.6 50.0 54.1 66.2 53.8
Prefer other methods of population control
2.5 29.1 8.3 6.1 23.2 2.1 1.6 25.7 1.9 11.5
Black bears do not cause problems
6.6 6.6 0.0 8.5 1.7 44.3 4.6 5.0 7.1 10.2
Black bear population is too low
7.7 5.8 10.8 5.6 11.8 11.7 14.4 10.2 9.6 8.9
Approve of hunting, but oppose bear hunting
8.8 1.2 8.2 2.2 8.9 10.5 15.1 5.2 3.1 6.6
Opposed to trophy hunting 8.4 0.0 4.8 1.8 0.0 15.6 12.6 11.6 4.3 6.6
Want black bear population to be larger
3.3 2.4 8.5 3.3 31.4 0.0 3.7 7.8 3.1 5.0
Enjoys the black bear population and / or worries about future bear populations
10.2 3.8 2.9 7.8 0.0 11.0 0.0 1.4 0.9 3.5
Opposed to current methods of hunting or trapping
14.2 8.5 2.9 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.8 0.0 0.0 2.4
Black bears are a part of nature 0.0 2.9 3.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 0.0 6.2 2.1
Opposed to state regulations 0.0 0.0 6.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.2 1.6
Against hunting unless it's for food
3.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7
Other 3.2 2.8 0.0 0.0 4.3 11.5 1.5 4.6 0.0 2.5 DNR: Don't know 3.8 0.0 3.2 2.6 4.9 0.0 3.2 3.3 4.4 2.8
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 141
21. Why do you oppose the legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg Opposed to all hunting 55.6 50.6 62.5 61.1 48.9 59.3 50.9 53.8
Prefer other methods of population control 14.5 8.7 9.3 7.6 6.3 17.9 19.2 11.5
Black bears do not cause problems 14.4 9.1 9.4 20.5 14.3 3.8 6.7 10.2
Black bear population is too low 4.8 8.2 8.3 11.5 10.7 6.8 4.1 8.9
Approve of hunting, but oppose bear hunting
4.6 6.8 6.0 10.7 4.2 5.7 4.1 6.6
Opposed to trophy hunting 11.3 10.4 2.3 3.4 7.1 8.9 3.1 6.6
Want black bear population to be larger
0.0 6.9 4.5 0.0 2.8 0.9 1.6 5.0
Enjoys the black bear population and / or worries about future bear populations
4.8 3.5 3.4 0.0 2.9 3.3 0.0 3.5
Opposed to current methods of hunting or trapping
0.0 4.2 1.4 0.0 0.0 4.5 0.0 2.4
Black bears are a part of nature 0.0 1.3 3.4 0.0 1.4 3.6 9.3 2.1
Opposed to state regulations 4.5 1.3 0.0 7.6 0.0 0.0 2.7 1.6
Against hunting unless it's for food 4.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 0.0 2.0 0.7
Other 0.0 1.3 6.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 2.5 DNR: Don't know 2.0 8.6 3.4 0.0 1.4 2.5 1.8 2.8
142 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania:
40
14
7
7
5
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Percent
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 143
Percent who strongly or moderately support the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania:
70
33
22
18
13
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Percent
144 Responsive Management
Percent who oppose the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania:
84
81
75
69
54
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting season
Percent
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 145
Percent who strongly support the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania:
5
7
10
5
5
7
3
6
36
14
6
2
5
7
11
14
37
8
16
5349
15
10
9
5
5
6
12
43
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using
archery equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Percent
WesternNorth CentralSouth CentralNortheasternSoutheastern
146 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly or moderately support the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania:
16
16
21
14
11
15
12
19
64
34
18
8
11
19
27
32
70
24
36
8681
31
26
21
17
13
24
32
79
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using
archery equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Percent
WesternNorth CentralSouth CentralNortheasternSoutheastern
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 147
Percent who oppose the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania:
63
54
18
67
52
11
56
17
73
83
87
72
54
29
81
72
72
83
85
8283
79
74
66
58
14
85
84
76
70
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using
archery equipment
Legal, regulated hunting season
Percent
WesternNorth CentralSouth CentralNortheasternSoutheastern
148 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania.
(Western Region)
5
7
10
11
14
37
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting season thatis limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any
bears
Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Percent
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 149
Percent who strongly or moderately support the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania.(Western Region)
16
16
21
27
32
70
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting season thatis limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any
bears
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs
Percent
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
150 Responsive Management
Percent who moderately or strongly oppose the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania.(Western Region)
17
54
63
72
72
81
0 20 40 60 80 100
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any
bears
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting season thatis limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting season
Percent
WMU 1A,1B,2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 151
Percent who strongly support the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania.
(North Central Region)
7
6
4
4
5
4
6
10
4
4
5
7
15
42
9
20
59
7
56
17
13
52
14
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting season thatis limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any
bears
Percent
WMU 2FWMU 2GWMU 3AWMU 4D
152 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly or moderately support the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania.(North Central Region)
12
14
11
13
11
18
14
12
8
9
13
24
29
79
21
35
88
12
86
32
32
87
40
25
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting season thatis limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any
bears
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs
Percent
WMU 2FWMU 2GWMU 3AWMU 4D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 153
Percent who moderately or strongly oppose the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania.(North Central Region)
69
54
9
56
11
66
46
10
20
65
71
81
86
88
85
87
83
60
80
86
86
82
84
79
0 20 40 60 80 100
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any
bears
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting season thatis limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting season
Percent
WMU 2FWMU 2GWMU 3AWMU 4D
154 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania:
(South Central Region)
10
5
6
8
7
6
2
9
52
17
11
10
8
7
46
11
9
9
5
4
14
22
48
9
11
57
8
9
18
60
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Percent
WMU 2CWMU 2DWMU 2EWMU 4AWMU 4B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 155
Percent who strongly or moderately support the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania:(South Central Region)
34
20
15
18
17
27
16
9
82
34
19
25
14
14
77
29
24
23
16
12
20
35
83
18
29
86
24
17
38
87
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using archery
equipment
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Percent
WMU 2CWMU 2DWMU 2EWMU 4AWMU 4B
156 Responsive Management
Percent who oppose the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania:
(South Central Region)
57
55
12
63
10
65
51
8
80
82
77
66
55
13
86
80
73
70
59
17
73
75
77
76
80
81
69
81
80
86
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting season
Percent
WMU 2CWMU 2DWMU 2EWMU 4AWMU 4B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 157
Percent who strongly support the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania.
(Northeastern Region)
6
6
5
8
4
4
8
2
52
13
7
4
5
2
4
6
7
7
9
38
12
14
47
7
49
14
6
38
12
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting season thatis limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any
bears
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs
Percent
WMU 3BWMU 3CWMU 3DWMU 4CWMU 4E
158 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly or moderately support the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania.(Northeastern Region)
14
13
13
11
16
20
12
9
83
15
30
14
10
8
12
13
17
24
27
71
30
23
78
22
80
22
35
83
28
35
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting season thatis limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any
bears
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs
Percent
WMU 3BWMU 3CWMU 3DWMU 4CWMU 4E
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 159
Percent who moderately or strongly oppose the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania.(Northeastern Region)
67
58
17
55
17
65
52
13
85
90
83
77
58
12
23
62
68
75
83
85
80
82
84
74
87
82
73
84
86
77
0 20 40 60 80 100
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any
bears
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting season thatis limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting season
Percent
WMU 3BWMU 3CWMU 3DWMU 4CWMU 4E
160 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania:
(Southeastern Region)
36
14
7
6
5
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Percent
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 161
Percent who strongly or moderately support the following types of black bear hunting in
Pennsylvania:(Southeastern Region)
64
34
19
18
11
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Legal, regulated hunting season
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Percent
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
162 Responsive Management
Percent who oppose the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania:
(Southeastern Region)
87
83
73
72
54
29
0 20 40 60 80 100
Use of bait in a legal, regulatedhunting season
Legal, regulated hunting with theuse of dogs
Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chaseblack bears with dogs but not
harvest any bears
Legal, regulated hunting seasonduring the spring
Legal, regulated hunting seasonthat is limited to only using archery
equipment
Legal, regulated hunting season
Percent
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 163
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited
to only using archery equipment?(Statewide)
23
21
11
9
19
14
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
164 Responsive Management
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited
to only using archery equipment?
1
28
13
12
19
23
427
4
19
11
12
19
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Opposes anyhunting of
black bear atall
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
Even some hunters oppose a special archery season for black bear hunting.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 165
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited
to only using archery equipment?(Statewide)
2
18
25
11
14
18
11
6
11
28
12
16
20
6
14
31
12
6
17
15
56
17
26
13
12
19
6
3
29
15
10
10
20
14
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Opposes anyhunting of
black bear atall
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
166 Responsive Management
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited
to only using archery equipment?(Western Region)
17
25
11
11
18
14
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 167
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited
to only using archery equipment?(North Central Region)
20
15
5
13
32
9
6
31
11
5
11
25
10
7
20
32
13
3
14
15
3
7
15
17
14
8
25
14
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
168 Responsive Management
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited
to only using archery equipment?(South Central Region)
17
29
12
8
18
11
46
12
30
13
22
13
5
3
10
39
14
11
18
5
5
8
31
12
18
20
6
6
13
32
10
4
17
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 169
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited
to only using archery equipment?(Northeastern Region)
14
16
6
12
29
17
6
24
17
5
13
26
13
6
13
17
7
21
25
12
5
23
30
9
7
15
9
7
5
21
14
14
7
23
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
170 Responsive Management
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited
to only using archery equipment?(Southeastern Region)
29
15
10
10
20
14
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 171
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited to only using
archery equipment? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
20 179
14 1418 17
12 14 13 14 1411
22
1115
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited to only using
archery equipment? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
15 15 15 1621 20 17
23 2517 20 1818
1318 14
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
172 Responsive Management
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited to only using
archery equipment? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
5 7 7 6 5 6 4 7 8 7 10 118 5 5 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited to only using
archery equipment? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
13 149 12 14 12 10 13 11
21
10 1112 13 14 13
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 173
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited to only using
archery equipment? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
32 31 30 2924
31 3226 25 25
15
2529 30
3932
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q23. Do you support or oppose a separate legal, regulated black bear hunting season that is limited to only using
archery equipment? (Asked of individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
6 5 7 6 5 5 6 6 7 5 3 24 6 3 30
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose a legal, regulated hunting season that is limited to only using archery equipment
174 Responsive Management
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting
season?(Statewide)
23
51
10
2
7
4
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 175
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting
season?
1
59
9
1
11
15
427
3
50
10
2
7
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Opposes anyhunting of
black bear atall
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
Most hunters oppose black bear hunting using bait.
176 Responsive Management
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting
season?(Statewide)
3
18
56
7
5
11
1
2
11
61
11
5
9
1
14
50
10
2
12
9
31
17
59
10
7
5
2
2
29
47
11
3
6
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Opposes anyhunting of
black bear atall
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 177
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting
season?(Western Region)
17
56
7
1
11
5
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
178 Responsive Management
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting
season?(North Central Region)
7
8
0
10
64
9
2
60
11
5
12
60
10
1
20
58
9
1
5
5
2
2
6
7
8
2
11
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 179
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting
season?(South Central Region)
17
47
9
1
15
9
23
12
47
13
10
10
4
3
10
59
8
8
10
3
1
8
60
13
6
10
1
2
13
56
7
2
9
10
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
180 Responsive Management
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting
season?(Northeastern Region)
6
7
2
9
58
17
1
63
17
1
12
59
13
1
5
5
3
16
57
12
2
23
54
8
1
7
6
1
2
3
8
6
2
4
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 181
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting
season?(Southeastern Region)
29
47
11
3
6
2
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
182 Responsive Management
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting season? (Asked of
individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
7 7 6 6 8 610 8
4 5 2 59 10 8
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting season? (Asked of
individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
8 6 7 73
10 94
115 6
1115
10 105
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 183
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting season? (Asked of
individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
0 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 3 11 4 3 10
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor oppose
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting season? (Asked of
individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
10 8 8 9 613
712 12 16
1179
138 9
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
184 Responsive Management
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting season? (Asked of
individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
6460
54 5863
5956 59 60 57
47
56
47 47
59 58
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q24. Would you support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting season? (Asked of
individuals who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
2 51 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 32 3 3 2
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they would support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting season
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 185
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the
spring?(Statewide)
23
35
12
6
14
7
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
186 Responsive Management
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the
spring?
2
41
18
8
12
14
4
27
4
33
11
6
15
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Opposes anyhunting of
black bear atall
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
Most hunters oppose black bear hunting in the spring.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 187
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the
spring?(Statewide)
3
18
34
11
11
16
7
3
11
41
15
8
17
5
14
40
12
3
16
10
43
17
40
13
6
18
3
3
29
32
11
7
12
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Opposes anyhunting of
black bear atall
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
188 Responsive Management
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the
spring?(Western Region)
17
34
11
7
16
11
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 189
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the
spring?(North Central Region)
9
12
6
15
45
9
4
41
11
4
17
39
10
3
20
40
12
2
17
7
2
3
19
13
8
6
19
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
190 Responsive Management
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the
spring?(South Central Region)
17
39
13
4
14
9
45
12
35
10
14
20
3
4
10
48
11
9
15
3
3
8
42
15
9
18
4
4
13
42
10
5
13
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 191
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the
spring?(Northeastern Region)
12
12
5
13
38
17
4
43
17
1
11
41
13
4
7
7
5
20
46
12
3
23
32
12
3
20
7
3
3
16
6
14
3
24
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
192 Responsive Management
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the
spring?(Southeastern Region)
29
32
11
7
12
6
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 193
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the spring? (Asked of individuals
who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
913
712
610 11
4 6 7 6119
149 7
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the spring? (Asked of individuals
who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
1219 20
1216 18
13
2419
712
161420
15 17
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
194 Responsive Management
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the spring? (Asked of individuals
who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
6 3 3 5 3 4 5 3 6 5 7 74 3 3 20
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor oppose
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the spring? (Asked of individuals
who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
158
12 13 14 1510 11
17 20
11 1113 10 11 12
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 195
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the spring? (Asked of individuals
who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
4541
3238
43 42 42 41 3946
32 3439
35
4840
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q25. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the spring? (Asked of individuals
who support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
4 4 3 4 1 3 4 4 3 3 3 34 5 4 20
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they would support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the spring
196 Responsive Management
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs?
(Statewide)
23
49
9
4
8
5
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 197
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs?
1
61
10
8
8
8
427
3
46
9
4
8
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Opposes anyhunting of
black bear atall
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
Most hunters oppose black bear hunting using dogs.
198 Responsive Management
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs?
(Statewide)
3
18
47
7
7
9
9
2
11
63
11
5
6
1
14
57
8
1
12
5
32
17
58
10
3
8
2
3
29
44
10
4
6
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Opposes anyhunting of
black bear atall
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 199
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs?
(Western Region)
17
47
7
9
9
7
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
200 Responsive Management
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs?
(North Central Region)
6
6
1
12
65
9
1
66
11
2
11
63
10
3
20
55
12
4
5
4
1
1
7
4
9
1
6
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 201
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs?
(South Central Region)
17
57
6
1
13
4
33
12
54
9
6
13
2
2
10
58
11
7
12
0
2
8
64
8
9
7
2
2
13
60
8
2
7
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
202 Responsive Management
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs?
(Northeastern Region)
5
8
3
7
58
17
2
60
17
1
17
56
13
3
2
6
1
9
69
12
2
23
51
10
3
8
4
2
1
11
4
4
2
7
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bears at all
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 203
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs?
(Southeastern Region)
29
44
10
4
6
5
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Opposes anyhunting of black
bear at all
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Those who opposed any hunting of black bear at all (Question 14) were not asked this question; they are coded here as "Opposes any hunting of black bear at all."
204 Responsive Management
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs? (Asked of individuals who
support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
6 4 4 5 49 7
26
2 5 74 6 7 4
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs? (Asked of individuals who
support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
6 7 8 8 117 7 7 6 6 6 913 13 12
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 205
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs? (Asked of individuals who
support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
1 1 3 3 1 2 2 2 1 1 49
1 2 04
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor oppose
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs? (Asked of individuals who
support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
129 10 7 4
8 8
1711 9 10 76 9 11 12
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
206 Responsive Management
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs? (Asked of individuals who
support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
65 66
5158 60
6460
5663
69
4447
57 5458
55
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q26. Would you support or oppose legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs? (Asked of individuals who
support legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.)
1 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 3 2 3 33 3 2 10
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they would support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 207
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs but not harvest any
bears?(Statewide)
4
62
13
3
11
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
208 Responsive Management
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs but not harvest any
bears?
1
58
19
2
11
9
4
63
12
7
11
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
Most hunters oppose black bear hunting using dogs (as shown previously), so the opposition to a training season is not surprising.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 209
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs but not harvest any
bears?(Statewide)
4
57
15
10
11
3
3
70
12
7
8
1
2
70
13
2
8
5
3
65
11
6
13
2
4
60
14
4
12
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
210 Responsive Management
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs but not harvest any
bears?(Western Region)
10
11
3
15
57
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 211
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs but not harvest any
bears?(North Central Region)
4
9
3
11
70
33
73
12
4
7
0
1
74
1
6
5
12
3
67
12
1
8
10
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
212 Responsive Management
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs but not harvest any
bears?(South Central Region)
2
73
13
1
6
5
4
61
15
5
10
5
1
68
14
8
9
1
1
75
12
2
7
3
3
72
8
2
6
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 213
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs but not harvest any
bears?(Northeastern Region)
7
10
3
12
63
43
72
8
6
8
3
3
64
2
16
7
9
2
63
14
1
17
4
2
75
8
2
10
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
214 Responsive Management
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs but not harvest any
bears?(Southeastern Region)
4
60
14
4
12
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 215
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs
but not harvest any bears?
4 5 7 6 72
84
104 7 10
5 5 84
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs
but not harvest any bears?
7 610 8
16
7 6
17
8 10 12 116
10 9 9
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
216 Responsive Management
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs
but not harvest any bears?
0 1 3 3 2 3 2 1 1 2 4 315
1 30
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor oppose
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs
but not harvest any bears?
12 12 128 9 11
814 12
814 1513 15 14 11
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 217
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs
but not harvest any bears?
73 74
63
7264
7572
6367
75
60 57
73
6168 70
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q27. Would you support or oppose a legal, regulated training season, which allows people to chase black bears with dogs
but not harvest any bears?
3 1 4 3 3 1 3 2 3 2 4 42 4 1 30
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they would support or oppose a legal, regulated training season
218 Responsive Management
NUISANCE PROBLEMS AND BLACK BEARS AND THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION’S RESPONSE TO NUISANCE PROBLEMS
The survey asked about nuisance bears: 5% of Pennsylvania residents have had property
damage and/or other problems with black bears at their primary home within the past 2 years.
• The most common problems are with birdfeeders (50% of those who had problems cited
this) or garbage cans/dumpsters (40%). Other less common problems include agricultural
damage, entry of garage/home/porch, a feeling of being threatened (without actual
physical damage), and damage to a building without entry.
• Of those who had experienced black bear problems, 19% contacted the Commission to
report the problem. The most common response or service they received from the
Commission was simply advice over the telephone at the time of reporting. Other
responses or services include having a Commission employee attempt to remove the
problem bear or having a Commission employee visit the home (or business) to discuss
the problem. Note that 20% of those who reported a black bear problem indicated that
the Commission was of no help. However, about half of the people who contacted the
Commission (51%) were satisfied with the response or service they received from the
Commission, while 30% were dissatisfied (the remainder gave a neutral response).
• Regional crosstabulations. North Central Region respondents are the most likely to have
had problems with black bears in the past 2 years; Western and Southeastern Region
respondents are the least likely. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Low sample sizes for the follow-up questions (because so few from the Western and
Southeastern Regions had problems) do not allow meaningful regional comparisons to be
made among all five regions; nonetheless, the graphs are shown to allow comparisons of
the North Central, South Central, and Northeastern Regions. Among those three latter
regions, Northeastern Region residents were the most likely to have contacted the
Commission regarding their black bear problem. This difference is statistically
significant (p < 0.001).
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 219
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with having experienced bear damage
suggest the following:
o Those who have experienced bear damage, compared to those who have not, are more
likely to know a great deal about black bears and to be very interested in receiving
information about them.
o The nonparametric (z-score) analysis on opinions on the black bear population and
management of black bears suggests that two groups exist: those showing a high
tolerance of black bears (wanting to see them in their yard or neighborhood), and
those wanting the black bear population to be decreased.
o Those who have experienced bear damage, relative to those who have not, are more
likely to rate the Commission’s management of black bears as fair or poor.
o Finally, the demographic characteristics that are positively correlated to having
experienced bear damage include living in the North Central, Northeastern, or South
Central Regions; living in a rural area, including on a farm; being white; being in the
middle to older age groups; being male; and being in the lower end of the educational
range.
The survey asked four questions about residents’ support or opposition to non-lethal ways
(and in which situations) to control nuisance black bears. For each method/situation to
control nuisance black bears, a large majority support it. The most support is for capturing
and relocating a bear that is causing property damage (97% support). There is also
overwhelming support for using non-lethal repellents (e.g., pepper spray, rubber ammunition)
(91%), capturing and relocating a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered a
building (88%), and capturing and relocating a bear that has caused agricultural damage
(87%). Note that most support is strong support (in fact, for each, a large majority strongly
support, ranging from 65% to 84%). These results are shown together as well as
individually.
• For the situations above, the survey asked follow-up questions regarding the number of
times that the nuisance bear behavior should be documented before the decision is made
to kill the bear. (Note that the follow-up discussed killing the bear rather than using non-
lethal means; in other words, the follow-up was for the situation, not the method for
220 Responsive Management
addressing the nuisance bear.) In looking at the results together, Pennsylvania residents
show more tolerance for agricultural damage and residential/campground damage than
for attempting to enter or actually entering a building. For instance, 39% say the bear
should not be killed for causing agricultural damage, 35% say the bear should not be
killed for causing residential/campground damage, but only 27% say the bear should not
be killed for attempting to enter or actually entering a building. Also, in looking at the
mean number of times the behavior should be documented before the bear is killed, the
mean for agricultural damage is 3.31 times, the mean for residential/campground damage
is 2.93, but the mean for attempting to enter or actually entering a building is only 1.73
times.
• Regional crosstabulations. There are no marked regional variations to these questions.
• Nonparametric analysis. Tabulations show the positive correlations to each of the
methods of addressing nuisance bear. In general, those who support one way of
addressing nuisance bears support the other ways discussed in the survey. In general,
they either have hunted (although not necessarily bears) or support hunting of black
bears. Also, they often live in a non-rural or non-farm environment (or live in a more
urbanized region).
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 221
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by
black bears within the past 2 years?(Statewide)
95
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Percent (n=4411)
222 Responsive Management
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by
black bears within the past 2 years?(Statewide)
2
98
1
20
80
0
0
90
10
12
88
0
0
99
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 223
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by
black bears within the past 2 years?(Western Region)
2
98
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
224 Responsive Management
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by
black bears within the past 2 years?(North Central Region)
27
73
23
77
72
28
85
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 225
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by
black bears within the past 2 years?(South Central Region)
0
92
8
12
87
1
12
88
0
8
91
1
0
94
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
226 Responsive Management
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by
black bears within the past 2 years?(Northeastern Region)
93
7
88
12
16
84
12
88
11
89
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 227
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by
black bears within the past 2 years?(Southeastern Region)
99
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
228 Responsive Management
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by black bears within
the past 2 years?
2328
712
16
8 612
1511
1 28
12 12
27
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they personally had problems or property damage at their primary home caused by black bears in the past 2 years
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by black bears within
the past 2 years?
7772
9388
8491 94
8885
89
99 9892
87 88
73
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they did not personally have problems or property damage at their primary home caused by black bears in the past 2 years
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 229
Q28. Have you personally had any problems or property damage at your primary home caused by black bears within
the past 2 years?
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 00
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they did not know whether they personally had problems or property damage at their primary home caused by black bears in the past 2 years
230 Responsive Management
Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
Significance
Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Is male. p < 0.01 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.05 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.05
Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
Significance
Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.001 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.01 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Is female. p < 0.05 Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 231
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within
the past 2 years.)(Statewide)
1
2
2
4
5
8
20
40
50
4
4
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Birdfeeder
Garbage cans ordumpsters
Other problem
Agriculturaldamage
Home / porch /garage entry
Safety concern, nophysical damage
Building damage,no entry
Bee hives
Garden
Ornamental / fruittree
Pets
Other
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=614)
232 Responsive Management
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home caused by black bears within
the past 2 years.) (Part 1.)(Statewide)
26
0
9
0
65
26
0
1
6
4
5
52
39
6
2
2
13
8
31
60
33
6
7
2
51
42
6
0
0
0
0
17
65
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Birdfeeder
Garbage cans ordumpsters
Agriculturaldamage
Home / porch /garage entry
Safety concern, nophysical damage
Building damage,no entry
Bee hives
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=5)North Central (n=265)South Central (n=145)Northeastern (n=194)Southeastern (n=5)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 233
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home caused by black bears within
the past 2 years.) (Part 2.)(Statewide)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
2
2
3
1
0
2
2
5
3
8
0
00
1
0
0
0
3
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Garden
Ornamental / fruittree
Pets
Other
Barbecue grill
Damage tovehicle while
parked
Livestock
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=5)North Central (n=265)South Central (n=145)Northeastern (n=194)Southeastern (n=5)
234 Responsive Management
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within
the past 2 years.)(Western Region)
65
26
26
9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Birdfeeder
Bee hives
Garbage cansor dumpsters
Safety concern,no physical
damage
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=5)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 235
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within
the past 2 years.) (Part 1.)(North Central Region)
50
40
7
9
2
4
3
6
1
2
68
25
7
5
5
1
1
1
6
6
3
46
40
4
4
2
3
10
9
52
48
9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Birdfeeder
Garbage cans ordumpsters
Building damage,no entry
Agriculturaldamage
Home / porch /garage entry
Safety concern, nophysical damage
Garden
Ornamental / fruittree
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=64)WMU 2G (n=73)WMU 3A (n=87)WMU 4D (n=41)
236 Responsive Management
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within
the past 2 years.) (Part 2.)(North Central Region)
0
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
3
1
1
0
0
0
2
4
0
0
1
1
1
0
2
1
0
1
0
3
2
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Bee hives
Pets
Damage to vehiclewhile parked
Barbecue grill
Livestock
Human injury /attack
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=64)WMU 2G (n=73)WMU 3A (n=87)WMU 4D (n=41)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 237
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within
the past 2 years.)(Part 1.)
(South Central Region)
0
5
11
21
28
66
07
1
13
4
55
33
5
8
2
5
7
53
37
6
0
18
11
16
50
33
11
0
8
0
5
8
21
80
0 20 40 60 80 100
Birdfeeder
Garbage cans ordumpsters
Home / porch /garage entry
Garden
Agricultural damage
Building damage, noentry
Bee hives
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=23)WMU 2D (n=42)WMU 2E (n=36)WMU 4A (n=23)WMU 4B (n=21)
238 Responsive Management
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within
the past 2 years.)(Part 2.)
(South Central Region)
0
2
10
0
0
0
1
0
3
0
11
5
0
4
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
8
0
6
0
0
3
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Barbecue grill
Ornamental / fruittree
Safety concern, nophysical damage
Pets
Other
Human injury / attack
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=23)WMU 2D (n=42)WMU 2E (n=36)WMU 4A (n=23)WMU 4B (n=21)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 239
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within
the past 2 years.) (Part 1.)(Northeastern Region)
0
50
48
5
0
2
7
10
13
2
2
49
31
10
3
2
11
3
57
41
10
2
2
1
10
10
29
58
0
2
5
3
5
27
73
0 20 40 60 80 100
Birdfeeder
Garbage cans ordumpsters
Agriculturaldamage
Safety concern, nophysical damage
Building damage,no entry
Garden
Bee hives
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=27)WMU 3C (n=38)WMU 3D (n=57)WMU 4C (n=37)WMU 4E (n=35)
240 Responsive Management
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within
the past 2 years.) (Part 2.)(Northeastern Region)
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
4
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
4
2
2
2
0
3
0
0
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Ornamental / fruittree
Home / porch /garage entry
Livestock
Pets
Damage to vehiclewhile parked
Vehicle collision
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=27)WMU 3C (n=38)WMU 3D (n=57)WMU 4C (n=37)WMU 4E (n=35)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 241
Q31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within
the past 2 years.)(Southeastern Region)
17
17
17
65
0 20 40 60 80 100
Garbage cans ordumpsters
Agriculturaldamage
Birdfeeder
Other problem
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=5)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D
242 Responsive Management
31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg Birdfeeder 65.7 55.2 52.8 68.2 46.3 47.6 49.8 48.8 40.6 54.3 Garbage cans or dumpsters 27.7 33.2 37.3 25.4 40.0 51.9 48.0 30.8 57.1 37.1
Agricultural damage 4.7 13.0 4.9 4.9 2.8 8.6 4.7 10.3 3.2 6.9
Home/porch/garage entry 20.9 5.0 6.5 4.7 5.9 9.9 2.4 3.6 0.9 5.2
Human injury/attack 20.9 5.0 6.5 4.7 5.9 9.9 2.4 3.6 0.9 5.2
Livestock 20.9 5.0 6.5 4.7 5.9 9.9 2.4 3.6 0.9 5.2 Ornamental/fruit tree 20.9 5.0 6.5 4.7 5.9 9.9 2.4 3.6 0.9 5.2
Pets 20.9 5.0 6.5 4.7 5.9 9.9 2.4 3.6 0.9 5.2 Safety concern, no physical damage
20.9 5.0 6.5 4.7 5.9 9.9 2.4 3.6 0.9 5.2
Vehicle collision 20.9 5.0 6.5 4.7 5.9 9.9 2.4 3.6 0.9 5.2 Building damage, no entry 0.0 1.3 1.5 7.4 4.2 9.1 2.4 1.9 11.3 4.8
Garden 10.5 4.1 7.3 2.4 1.4 2.5 6.9 12.6 2.0 4.8 Bee hives 0.0 6.6 7.6 2.7 1.3 2.3 0.0 10.1 3.2 3.8 Barbecue grill 0.0 0.0 7.8 0.0 0.7 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 Damage to vehicle while parked
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 0.0 0.3
Tent/backpack damage 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other 1.8 0.0 3.6 1.3 4.3 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 Don't know 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 2.1 1.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 243
31. What types of problems or damage have you had that were caused by a black bear? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg Birdfeeder 49.5 79.9 58.2 49.8 73.5 17.5 65.1 54.3 Garbage cans or dumpsters 33.1 21.2 29.1 39.6 27.4 65.0 26.2 37.1
Agricultural damage 10.8 0.0 10.1 9.5 5.2 17.5 0.0 6.9 Home/porch/garage entry 11.0 7.7 2.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.2
Human injury/attack 11.0 7.7 2.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.2 Livestock 11.0 7.7 2.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.2 Ornamental/fruit tree 11.0 7.7 2.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.2 Pets 11.0 7.7 2.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.2 Safety concern, no physical damage 11.0 7.7 2.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.2
Vehicle collision 11.0 7.7 2.6 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.2 Building damage, no entry 18.0 7.5 1.2 6.6 4.7 0.0 0.0 4.8
Garden 15.6 5.2 1.6 3.4 1.5 0.0 0.0 4.8 Bee hives 0.0 0.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 26.2 3.8 Barbecue grill 2.0 7.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 Damage to vehicle while parked 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3
Tent/backpack damage 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Other 0.0 5.7 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 1.2 Don't know 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.4
244 Responsive Management
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or
property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within the past 2 years.)
(Statewide)
1
80
19
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent (n=614)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 245
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or
property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within the past 2 years.)
(Statewide)
35
50
15
16
83
1
0
73
27
12
88
0
0
83
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=5)North Central (n=265)South Central (n=145)Northeastern (n=194)Southeastern (n=5)
246 Responsive Management
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or
property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within the past 2 years.)
(Western Region)
35
50
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent (n=5)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 247
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or
property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within the past 2 years.)
(North Central Region)
10
89
1
23
75
2
2
85
13
0
86
14
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=64)WMU 2G (n=73)WMU 3A (n=87)WMU 4D (n=41)
248 Responsive Management
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or
property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within the past 2 years.)
(South Central Region)
75
25
37
63
16
84
20
80
86
14
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Percent
WMU 2C (n=23)WMU 2D (n=42)WMU 2E (n=36)WMU 4A (n=23)WMU 4B (n=21)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 249
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or
property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within the past 2 years.)
(Northeastern Region)
14
86
10
90
88
12
92
8
80
20
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Percent
WMU 3B (n=27)WMU 3C (n=38)WMU 3D (n=57)WMU 4C (n=37)WMU 4E (n=35)
250 Responsive Management
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or
property damage at their primary home cause by black bears within the past 2 years.)
(Southeastern Region)
83
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Percent (n=5)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 251
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by
black bears within the past 2 years.)
23
13 1410 12
2014
814
20 17
35
25
37
1610
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report a problem with black bears
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by
black bears within the past 2 years.)
75
85 8690 88
8086
9286
80 83
50
75
63
8489
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they did not contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report a problem with black bears
252 Responsive Management
Q36. Did you contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report the problem? (Asked of individuals who personally had problems or property damage at their primary home cause by
black bears within the past 2 years.)
23
13 1410 12
2014
814
20 17
35
25
37
1610
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they did not know whether they contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report a problem with black bears
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 253
Q39. What response or services did you receive from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
resolve the problem? (Asked of individuals who contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
report the problem with black bears.)(Statewide)
2
7
12
19
20
42
1
1
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Received advice / information over the phoneat time of reporting
None, they were no help
PGC employee attempted to remove aproblem bear by trapping or darting
PGC employee visited my home / businessto discuss the problem
Don't know
Received a return call from a PGC employeeto discuss the problem
Received a brochure / video / informationpacket in the mail
PGC employee attempted to deter a problembear by hazing or aversive conditioning
Other
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=102)
254 Responsive Management
Q39. What response or services did you receive from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
resolve the problem? (Asked of individuals who contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
report the problem with black bears.)(Statewide)
0
0
0
0
0
0
75
25
0
1
4
0
6
11
3
12
40
28
3
12
23
33
13
27
4
0
10
0
0
0
4
20
48
19
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
100
0 20 40 60 80 100
Received advice / information over thephone at time of reporting
None, they were no help
PGC employee attempted to remove aproblem bear by trapping or darting
PGC employee visited my home /business to discuss the problem
Don't know
Received a return call from a PGCemployee to discuss the problem
Received a brochure / video / informationpacket in the mail
PGC employee attempted to deter aproblem bear by hazing or aversive
conditioning
Other
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=2)North Central (n=43)South Central (n=31)Northeastern (n=25)Southeastern (n=1)
(Note: Graph for Question 39 for Western Region is not shown because of low sample size.)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 255
Q39. What response or services did you receive from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
resolve the problem? (Asked of individuals who contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
report the problem with black bears.)(North Central Region)
0
8
22
14
42
21
0
0
9
0
0
10
0
54
17
9
0
0
6
13
9
17
47
15
20
0
11
0
0
8
50
22
0 20 40 60 80 100
None, they were no help
PGC employee attempted to remove aproblem bear by trapping or darting
Received advice / information over thephone at time of reporting
PGC employee visited my home /business to discuss the problem
Received a return call from a PGCemployee to discuss the problem
PGC employee attempted to deter aproblem bear by hazing or aversive
conditioning
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=8)WMU 2G (n=13)WMU 3A (n=12)WMU 4D (n=10)
256 Responsive Management
Q39. What response or services did you receive from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
resolve the problem? (Asked of individuals who contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
report the problem with black bears.)(South Central Region)
0
26
0
47
20
27
0
07
0
7
3
26
37
16
17
0
0
0
0
9
50
58
8
0
22
0
0
12
21
44
0
0
0
34
0
32
0
35
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
PGC employee attempted to remove aproblem bear by trapping or darting
PGC employee visited my home / businessto discuss the problem
Received advice / information over thephone at time of reporting
None, they were no help
Don't know
Received a brochure / video / informationpacket in the mail
Other
Received a return call from a PGCemployee to discuss the problem
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=5)WMU 2D (n=11)WMU 2E (n=7)WMU 4A (n=5)WMU 4B (n=3)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 257
Q39. What response or services did you receive from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
resolve the problem? (Asked of individuals who contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
report the problem with black bears.)(Northeastern Region)
17
0
0
56
270
0
29
52
19
0
35
18
47
0
0
0
0
37
63
0
0
24
8
68
0 20 40 60 80 100
Received advice /information over the
phone at time ofreporting
PGC employeevisited my
home/business todiscuss the problem
None, they were nohelp
PGC employeeattempted to remove
a problem bear bytrapping or darting
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=4)WMU 3C (n=5)WMU 3D (n=7)WMU 4C (n=3)WMU 4E (n=6)
(Note: Graph for Question 39 for Southeastern Region is not shown because of low sample size.)
258 Responsive Management
39. What response or services did you receive from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to resolve the problem? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg Received advice/information over the phone at time of reporting
46.5 16.8 8.0 42.1 9.4 8.6 17.0 29.1 47.1 33.7
None, they were no help 0.0 25.9 9.2 22.4 54.4 47.3 0.0 19.3 34.7 20.5
Received a brochure/video/information packet in the mail
0.0 7.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
Received a return call from a PGC employee to discuss the problem
0.0 7.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
PGC employee visited my home/business to discuss the problem
0.0 7.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
PGC employee attempted to remove a problem bear by trapping or darting
0.0 7.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
PGC employee attempted to deter a problem bear by hazing or aversive conditioning
0.0 7.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
Other 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 Don't know 26.3 3.2 0.0 0.0 9.2 0.0 26.5 0.0 0.0 5.3
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 259
39. What response or services did you receive from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to resolve the problem? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg Received advice/information over the phone at time of reporting
0.0 0.0 63.1 8.3 67.8 100.0 75.1 33.7
None, they were no help 12.5 31.7 0.0 22.3 24.2 0.0 24.9 20.5
Received a brochure/video/information packet in the mail
0.0 33.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
Received a return call from a PGC employee to discuss the problem
0.0 33.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
PGC employee visited my home/business to discuss the problem
0.0 33.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
PGC employee attempted to remove a problem bear by trapping or darting
0.0 33.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
PGC employee attempted to deter a problem bear by hazing or aversive conditioning
0.0 33.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.6
Other 22.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 Don't know 0.0 0.0 0.0 19.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.3
260 Responsive Management
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the
Game Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem with black bears.)
(Statewide)
7
19
11
12
13
38
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very satisfied
Somewhatsatisfied
Neither satisfiednor dissatisfied
Somewhatdissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Don't know
Percent (n=102)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 261
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the
Game Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem with black bears.)
(Statewide)
0
25
0
0
0
75
20
30
10
17
20
4
1
14
22
0
4
59
7
23
6
17
39
7
0
0
0
0
0
100
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very satisfied
Somewhatsatisfied
Neithersatisfied nordissatisfied
Somewhatdissatisfied
Verydissatisfied
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=2)North Central (n=43)South Central (n=31)Northeastern (n=25)Southeastern (n=1)
(Note: Graph for Question 41 for Western Region is not shown because of low sample size.)
262 Responsive Management
8
36
6
34
16
018
32
13
12
18
6
0
49
0
17
34
0
34
25
0
0
19
22
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very satisfied
Somewhatsatisfied
Neither satisfiednor dissatisfied
Somewhatdissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=8)WMU 2G (n=13)WMU 3A (n=12)WMU 4D (n=10)
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the Pennsylvania
Game Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the
problem with black bears.)(North Central Region)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 263
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the PGC regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of
individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem.)
(South Central Region)
80
0
20
0
0
24
3
43
26
3
34
17
50
0
0
0
0
66
34
0
0
35
0
65
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very satisfied
Somewhatsatisfied
Somewhatdissatisfied
Verydissatisfied
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=5)WMU 2D (n=11)WMU 2E (n=7)WMU 4A (n=5)WMU 4B (n=3)
264 Responsive Management
56
17
0
0
0
270
54
0
17
29
0
8
26
19
38
10
0
0
15
0
0
85
0
0
32
35
0
16
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very satisfied
Somewhatsatisfied
Neither satisfiednor dissatisfied
Somewhatdissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=4)WMU 3C (n=5)WMU 3D (n=7)WMU 4C (n=3)WMU 4E (n=6)
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the Pennsylvania Game
Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem
with black bears.)(Northeastern Region)
(Note: Graph for Question 41 for Southeastern Region is not shown because of low sample size.)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 265
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the Pennsylvania Game
Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem
with black bears.)
12
34
56
1710
66
0 0
2216
100
0
80
4350
8
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they were very satisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the Pennsylvania Game
Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem
with black bears.)
18 17 17
29
38
0
35
85
1916
0 00 3
17
36
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they were somewhat satisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission
266 Responsive Management
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the Pennsylvania Game
Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem
with black bears.)
60 0 0
19
0 0 0 0 0 0
75
0 0 06
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the Pennsylvania Game
Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem
with black bears.)
13
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
35
0 0
2024
34 34
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they were moderately dissatisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 267
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the Pennsylvania Game
Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem
with black bears.)
32
49
0
54
2634
65
15
2532
0
25
0
26
0
16
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they were very dissatisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission
Q41. How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the response or service you received from the Pennsylvania Game
Commission regarding the problem with a black bear? (Asked of individuals who contacted the PGC to report the problem
with black bears.)
18
0
27
08
0 0 0
34
0 0 00 3 0 00
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they were satisfied or dissatisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission
268 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:
84
79
69
65
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Percent
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 269
Percent who strongly or moderately support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:
97
91
88
87
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Percent
270 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:
9
6
4
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Percent
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 271
Percent who strongly or moderately oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:
11
10
6
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Percent
272 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:
7171
84
78
65
69
83
76
64
87
77
64
67
70
83
84
67
82
82
65
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter orhas actually entered homes or
buildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural
damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Percent
WesternNorth CentralSouth CentralNortheasternSoutheastern
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 273
Percent who strongly or moderately support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:
9391
98
88
88
91
87
83
97
85
89
9796
91
90
86
86
90
96
90
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter orhas actually entered homes or
buildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural
damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Percent
WesternNorth CentralSouth CentralNortheasternSoutheastern
274 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:
02
10
4
6
2
6
2
12
5
4
76
5
5
2
7
4
6
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter orhas actually entered homes or
buildings
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural
damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Percent
WesternNorth CentralSouth CentralNortheasternSoutheastern
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 275
Percent who strongly or moderately oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:
12
9
7
11
2
15
4
9
9
7
129
8
8
3
8
7
12
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural
damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter orhas actually entered homes or
buildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Percent
WesternNorth CentralSouth CentralNortheasternSoutheastern
276 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Western Region)
64
71
76
83
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
property damage
Capturing andrelocating a bear
that hasattempted to enter
or has actuallyentered homes or
buildings
Using non-lethalrepellents such as
pepper spray,loud noises, orrubber shotgun
ammunition
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
agriculturaldamage
Percent
WMU 1A,1B,2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 277
Percent who strongly or moderately support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Western Region)
83
87
93
97
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bear thatis causing property damage
Using non-lethal repellents such aspepper spray, loud noises, or rubber
shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bear thatis causing agricultural damage
Capturing and relocating a bear thathas attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes or buildings
Percent
WMU 1A,1B,2A, and 2B
278 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Western Region)
0
2
6
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bear thathas attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes or buildings
Capturing and relocating a bear thatis causing agricultural damage
Using non-lethal repellents such aspepper spray, loud noises, or rubber
shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bear thatis causing property damage
Percent
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 279
Percent who moderately or strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Western Region)
1
4
9
14
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bear thathas attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes or buildings
Capturing and relocating a bear thatis causing agricultural damage
Using non-lethal repellents such aspepper spray, loud noises, or rubber
shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bear thatis causing property damage
Percent
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
280 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(North Central Region)
70
61
64
68
84
87
68
78
86
61
85
72
60
89
76
76
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
property damage
Capturing andrelocating a bear
that hasattempted to enter
or has actuallyentered homes or
buildings
Using non-lethalrepellents such as
pepper spray,loud noises, orrubber shotgun
ammunition
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
agriculturaldamage
Percent
WMU 2FWMU 2GWMU 3AWMU 4D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 281
Percent who strongly or moderately support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(North Central Region)
88
91
88
89
90
96
90
87
97
81
93
85
84
98
94
81
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
property damage
Using non-lethalrepellents such as
pepper spray,loud noises, orrubber shotgun
ammunition
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
agriculturaldamage
Capturing andrelocating a bear
that hasattempted to enter
or has actuallyentered homes or
buildings
Percent
WMU 2FWMU 2GWMU 3AWMU 4D
282 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(North Central Region)
3
1
1
3
6
9
5
5
7
4
15
7
8
6
4
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing andrelocating a bear
that hasattempted to enter
or has actuallyentered homes or
buildings
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
agriculturaldamage
Using non-lethalrepellents such aspepper spray, loudnoises, or rubber
shotgunammunition
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
property damage
Percent
WMU 2FWMU 2GWMU 3AWMU 4D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 283
Percent who moderately or strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(North Central Region)
3
1
3
7
9
10
10
10
8
6
13
17
11
16
8
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
agriculturaldamage
Capturing andrelocating a bear
that hasattempted to enter
or has actuallyentered homes or
buildings
Using non-lethalrepellents such as
pepper spray,loud noises, orrubber shotgun
ammunition
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
property damage
Percent
WMU 2FWMU 2GWMU 3AWMU 4D
284 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(South Central Region)
64
70
82
78
64
69
85
85
70
68
70
80
81
70
81
87
69
67
78
83
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Percent
WMU 2CWMU 2DWMU 2EWMU 4AWMU 4B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 285
Percent who strongly or moderately support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(South Central Region)
85
89
95
86
83
89
96
93
90
86
92
91
96
90
90
98
89
85
87
96
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Percent
WMU 2CWMU 2DWMU 2EWMU 4AWMU 4B
286 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(South Central Region)
3
2
4
10
8
2
6
5
4
2
4
4
5
5
8
5
2
7
7
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Percent
WMU 2CWMU 2DWMU 2EWMU 4AWMU 4B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 287
Percent who strongly or moderately oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(South Central Region)
3
3
7
16
11
3
8
8
6
2
9
6
8
9
9
9
2
9
11
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Percent
WMU 2CWMU 2DWMU 2EWMU 4AWMU 4B
288 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Northeastern Region)
73
63
77
89
70
72
82
81
67
66
78
86
6765
83
86
67
60
77
82
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing andrelocating a bear
that hasattempted to enter
or has actuallyentered homes or
buildings
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
property damage
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
agriculturaldamage
Using non-lethalrepellents such aspepper spray, loudnoises, or rubber
shotgunammunition
Percent
WMU 3BWMU 3CWMU 3DWMU 4CWMU 4E
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 289
Percent who strongly or moderately support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Northeastern Region)
88
86
97
86
89
85
85
85
90
96
92
87
96
85
95
92
93
95
92
90
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
property damage
Capturing andrelocating a bear
that hasattempted to enter
or has actuallyentered homes or
buildings
Using non-lethalrepellents such as
pepper spray,loud noises, orrubber shotgun
ammunition
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
agriculturaldamage
Percent
WMU 3BWMU 3CWMU 3DWMU 4CWMU 4E
290 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Northeastern Region)
1
2
7
8
5
3
2
4
6
8
3
6
6
4
5
7
5
6
6
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing andrelocating a bear
that hasattempted to enter
or has actuallyentered homes or
buildings
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
agriculturaldamage
Using non-lethalrepellents such aspepper spray, loudnoises, or rubber
shotgunammunition
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
property damage
Percent
WMU 3BWMU 3CWMU 3DWMU 4CWMU 4E
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 291
Percent who moderately or strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Northeastern Region)
2
4
14
7
10
3
3
8
10
11
8
5
11
5
12
5
8
13
7
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
agriculturaldamage
Using non-lethalrepellents such aspepper spray, loudnoises, or rubber
shotgunammunition
Capturing andrelocating a bear
that hasattempted to enter
or has actuallyentered homes or
buildings
Capturing andrelocating a bearthat is causing
property damage
Percent
WMU 3BWMU 3CWMU 3DWMU 4CWMU 4E
292 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Southeastern Region)
84
78
69
65
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Percent
WMU 5A, 5B,5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 293
Percent who strongly or moderately support having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Southeastern Region)
98
91
88
88
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Percent
WMU 5A, 5B,5C, and 5D
294 Responsive Management
Percent who strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Southeastern Region)
10
6
4
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Percent
WMU 5A, 5B,5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 295
Percent who strongly or moderately oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in
addressing nuisance black bear:(Southeastern Region)
11
9
7
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Capturing and relocating a bearthat has attempted to enter or has
actually entered homes orbuildings
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural damage
Using non-lethal repellents suchas pepper spray, loud noises, or
rubber shotgun ammunition
Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing property damage
Percent
WMU 5A, 5B,5C, and 5D
296 Responsive Management
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as
pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance bears
from a residential area or campground?(Statewide)
1
4
3
2
21
69
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 297
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as
pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance bears
from a residential area or campground?
0
3
3
1
18
75
1
4
3
68
22
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
There are small groups of hunters and non-hunters who oppose, although they may oppose for quite different reasons.
298 Responsive Management
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as
pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance bears
from a residential area or campground?(Statewide)
2
2
71
22
1
4
3
71
19
2
5
3
2
19
67
4
3
67
23
2
4
3
2
22
69
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 299
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as
pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance bears
from a residential area or campground?(Western Region)
71
22
1
2
2
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
300 Responsive Management
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as
pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance bears
from a residential area or campground?(North Central Region)
68
22
1
4
3
11
5
4
68
19
3
2
8
3
25
60
2
2
2
1
1
18
76
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 301
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as
pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance bears
from a residential area or campground?(South Central Region)
3
6
3
2
18
68
3
5
3
64
21
4
2
5
5
69
20
0
2
2
6
70
19
1
1
4
3
3
21
69
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
302 Responsive Management
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as
pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance bears
from a residential area or campground?(Northeastern Region)
66
20
2
6
4
31
3
2
73
18
2
1
5
1
26
67
1
1
4
2
2
27
63
2
5
2
2
16
72
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 303
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as
pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance bears
from a residential area or campground?(Southeastern Region)
4
3
2
22
69
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
304 Responsive Management
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance
bears from a residential area or campground?
68
6066
7367
70 6963
76 7269 71
6864
69 68
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance
bears from a residential area or campground?
1925
20 1826
18 2127
18 1622 22
18 21 20 22
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 305
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance
bears from a residential area or campground?
3 3 2 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 2 12 40 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor oppose
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance
bears from a residential area or campground?
4 26
2 16 3 2 1 2 3 23 3 5 4
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
306 Responsive Management
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance
bears from a residential area or campground?
5 84 3 5 2 4 4 2 5 4 2
6 5 5 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q42. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellents such as pepper spray, loud noises, or rubber shotgun ammunition to temporarily repel nuisance
bears from a residential area or campground?
1 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 0 23 3 2 10
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellants to repel nuisance bears
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 307
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
Significance
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.05 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.05
308 Responsive Management
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or
campground.
Significance
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.01 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 309
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing property damage in a residential area or campground?
(Statewide)
0
2
0
0
14
84
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
310 Responsive Management
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing property damage in a residential area or campground?
(Statewide)
1
0
1
83
14
1
0
2
0
87
10
0
1
2
1
0
12
84
1
3
1
82
14
0
0
2
0
0
14
84
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 311
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing property damage in a residential area or campground?
(Western Region)
83
14
1
1
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
312 Responsive Management
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing property damage in a residential area or campground?
(North Central Region)
87
8
0
2
1
10
3
0
86
12
0
0
4
0
9
85
2
0
1
0
0
10
89
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 313
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing property damage in a residential area or campground?
(South Central Region)
1
2
1
0
11
85
0
3
1
81
15
1
0
2
0
87
11
0
0
2
1
83
13
0
0
2
1
2
14
82
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
314 Responsive Management
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing property damage in a residential area or campground?
(Northeastern Region)
81
15
0
1
2
10
1
1
86
9
2
0
4
0
11
83
0
1
2
2
0
18
77
0
3
0
0
8
89
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 315
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing property damage in a residential area or campground?
(Southeastern Region)
2
14
84
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Strongly oppose
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
316 Responsive Management
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing property
damage in a residential area or campground?
86 8581
86 83 84 8277
89 8984 8385
8187 87
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing property
damage in a residential area or campground?
12 915
9 11 13 1418
10 814 1411
1511 8
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 317
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing property
damage in a residential area or campground?
0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 00
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor oppose
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing property
damage in a residential area or campground?
0 2 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 11 1 0 20
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
318 Responsive Management
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing property
damage in a residential area or campground?
3 4 2 14 2 2 2 1 3 2 02 3 2 1
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q43. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing property
damage in a residential area or campground?
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 11 0 0 10
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relcating a bear that is causing property damage
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 319
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
Significance
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Is female. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.01 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.05
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
Significance
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Is male. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.01 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.05
320 Responsive Management
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing agricultural damage?(Statewide)
2
6
4
1
22
65
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 321
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing agricultural damage?
1
5
5
1
23
65
2
6
4
65
22
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
There are small groups of hunters and non-hunters who oppose, although they may oppose for quite different reasons.
322 Responsive Management
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing agricultural damage?(Statewide)
3
6
3
64
23
1
1
5
8
64
21
1
1
5
4
1
20
70
1
7
6
65
21
1
2
6
3
2
23
65
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 323
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing agricultural damage?(Western Region)
64
24
1
3
6
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
324 Responsive Management
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing agricultural damage?(North Central Region)
64
25
0
4
6
01
5
3
70
20
1
2
7
1
23
61
6
1
4
12
2
20
61
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 325
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing agricultural damage?(South Central Region)
1
4
4
0
21
70
0
4
2
70
21
2
1
5
4
70
20
0
2
7
4
67
18
1
0
8
8
1
19
64
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
326 Responsive Management
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing agricultural damage?(Northeastern Region)
67
19
2
6
6
20
6
5
67
21
1
1
7
2
20
65
5
1
6
7
0
25
60
0
8
5
1
15
70
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 327
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is
causing agricultural damage?(Southeastern Region)
2
6
3
2
23
65
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
328 Responsive Management
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing agricultural
damage?
70
6167 67 65 67 64
60 61
7065 64
70 70 7064
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing agricultural
damage?
2023
19 21 20 18 1925
2015
23 2321 21 2025
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 329
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing agricultural
damage?
1 1 2 1 2 1 1 0 2 1 2 10 2 0 00
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor oppose
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing agricultural
damage?
3 6 6 5 5 48 7
125 3 34 2 4 4
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
330 Responsive Management
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing agricultural
damage?
5 7 6 6 7 7 8 6 48 6 64 4 5 6
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q47. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that is causing agricultural
damage?
1 2 2 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 2 31 0 1 00
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relcating a bear that is causing agricultural damage
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 331
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
Significance
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Is female. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.05 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.05 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.05 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.05
(Interestingly, note that a positive correlation in this table is not living on a farm. One conjecture
is that farmers may not have faith that the problem will be solved in this way. They may also
favor hunting the bears to address the problem.)
332 Responsive Management
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
Significance
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Is male. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.05 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.05 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 333
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that
has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings?
(Statewide)
1
9
2
0
9
79
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
334 Responsive Management
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that
has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings?
0
10
4
1
6
79
1
9
1
79
10
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
There are small groups of hunters and non-hunters who oppose, although they may oppose for quite different reasons.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 335
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that
has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings?
(Statewide)
1
12
3
76
7
1
1
7
2
77
12
1
1
6
2
0
8
83
1
6
2
82
9
0
1
10
1
0
9
78
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neithersupport nor
oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Stronglyoppose
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
336 Responsive Management
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that
has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings?
(Western Region)
76
7
1
3
12
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 337
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that
has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings?
(North Central Region)
84
5
1
1
9
21
7
3
78
9
2
1
15
1
9
72
2
1
6
2
0
15
76
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
338 Responsive Management
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that
has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings?
(South Central Region)
1
5
1
0
7
85
0
4
5
80
11
0
1
8
1
81
9
0
3
7
3
78
9
1
1
10
1
1
8
78
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 339
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that
has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings?
(Northeastern Region)
82
9
1
1
8
14
6
2
78
9
0
0
5
0
6
86
2
1
6
2
0
10
82
2
7
3
2
9
77
0 20 40 60 80 100
Strongly support
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
340 Responsive Management
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that
has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings?
(Southeastern Region)
1
10
1
0
9
78
0 20 40 60 80 100
Stronglysupport
Moderatelysupport
Neither supportnor oppose
Moderatelyoppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 341
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that has attempted to enter or
has actually entered homes or buildings?
7872
8278
8678 78 82
76 77 78 76
8580 81 84
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly support
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that has attempted to enter or
has actually entered homes or buildings?
9 9 9 9 6 9 8 1015
9 9 7711 9
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately support
342 Responsive Management
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that has attempted to enter or
has actually entered homes or buildings?
2 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 10 0 0 10
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who neither support nor oppose
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that has attempted to enter or
has actually entered homes or buildings?
3 2 1 2 2 3 1 2 2 3 1 315
1 10
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who moderately oppose
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 343
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that has attempted to enter or
has actually entered homes or buildings?
715
8 6 5 710
6 6 7 10 125 4
8 9
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who strongly oppose
Q51. Do you support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relocating a bear that has attempted to enter or
has actually entered homes or buildings?
1 1 14
0 3 1 1 1 2 1 11 0 1 20
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relcating a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings
344 Responsive Management
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
Significance
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Is female. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.01
Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.05 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.05 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.05 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
Significance
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Is male. p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.05 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.05 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 345
Q44. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing property damage in a residential area or campground before they kill the
bear?(Statewide)
13
18
3
3
3
35
7
1
19
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
Mean = 2.93
346 Responsive Management
Q44. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing property damage in a residential area or campground before they kill the
bear?(Statewide)
18
0
11
11
14
5
35
3
3
23
0
3
14
19
3
31
2
4
12
23
3
7
4
27
5
1
1918
0
4
9
20
3
40
2
4
19
1
6
14
18
2
1
3
36
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
MeanSouth Central = 3.31North Central = 3.15Northeast = 3.07Western = 3.08Southeast = 2.71
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 347
Q44. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing property damage in a residential area or campground before they kill the
bear?(Western Region)
11
14
5
3
3
35
11
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5 times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Mean = 3.09
348 Responsive Management
Q44. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing property damage in a residential area or campground before they kill the
bear?(North Central Region)
16
0
2
43
3
2
2
19
14
23
0
2
11
18
5
31
2
7
21
1
5
11
20
3
1
31
7
25
0
3
17
20
2
4
2
27
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
MeanWMU 2F = 3.06WMU 2G = 3.25WMU 3A = 3.08WMU 4D = 3.13
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 349
Q44. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing property damage in a residential area or campground before they kill the
bear?(South Central Region)
10
26
3
8
6
26
4
1
1720
1
8
15
18
2
27
3
5
20
4
2
9
22
2
31
3
6
22
2
4
12
27
2
24
1
5
17
0
6
17
20
4
4
4
27
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Mean WMU 2C = 3.49 WMU 2D = 3.04 WMU 2E = 3.41 WMU 4A = 2.78 WMU 4B = 3.29
350 Responsive Management
Q44. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing property damage in a residential area or campground before they kill the
bear?(Northeastern Region)
25
0
4
42
2
4
2
14
8
19
0
3
8
24
2
40
3
2
15
2
1
10
21
7
3
37
5
16
0
8
8
20
1
2
1
43
18
0
4
9
24
1
3
2
39
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5 times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
MeanWMU 3B = 3.03WMU 3C = 3.22WMU 3D = 3.40WMU 4C = 2.70WMU 4E = 3.02
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 351
Q44. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing property damage in a residential area or campground before they kill the
bear?(Southeastern Region)
14
18
2
1
3
36
6
1
19
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Mean = 2.71
352 Responsive Management
44. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's involvement in this type of activity before they kill the bear? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Should not be killed 25.7 26.7 31.4 42.6 30.7 30.8 41.6 39.5 37.0 More than 5 times 5.6 3.4 3.3 2.9 1.9 1.4 1.8 2.8 2.6 5 times 7.7 5.2 6.2 2.3 7.0 3.3 3.7 2.2 7.4 4 times 2.8 2.5 2.3 1.8 4.9 7.1 1.7 2.5 5.0 3 times 25.9 17.9 21.9 18.8 18.4 20.1 13.6 24.3 20.6 2 times 9.7 15.3 8.8 13.5 11.4 11.1 8.3 7.5 10.4 1 time 4.4 8.4 2.2 2.4 2.1 4.7 4.2 2.5 0.9 0 times 0.7 0.6 4.3 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.0 0.0 1.5 Don't know 17.4 19.8 19.6 15.8 23.4 21.0 25.0 18.7 14.7
44. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's involvement in this type of activity before they kill the bear? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Should not be killed 24.6 26.6 42.8 27.4 38.9 36.4 34.9 More than 5 times 1.4 3.9 1.3 1.9 2.2 3.1 3.3 5 times 4.7 4.1 2.3 3.6 2.9 0.9 2.9 4 times 1.6 4.2 1.3 1.8 1.3 1.6 4.8 3 times 27.0 20.4 20.4 20.2 24.0 18.0 14.2 2 times 12.2 17.4 8.1 16.6 8.9 14.3 11.2 1 time 4.2 6.1 8.3 2.7 3.7 6.4 11.0 0 times 2.4 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.0 Don't know 22.0 17.2 15.5 25.5 17.6 18.6 17.5
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 353
Q48. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing agricultural damage before they kill the bear?
(Statewide)
11
15
2
5
5
39
6
1
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
Mean = 3.31
354 Responsive Management
Q48. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing agricultural damage before they kill the bear?
(Statewide)
19
0
11
10
14
2
37
4
3
18
0
4
12
14
3
37
5
8
11
20
3
7
6
33
4
2
1315
1
5
9
17
2
43
3
6
16
1
4
12
15
3
4
5
41
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
MeanSouth Central = 3.77North Central = 4.09Northeast = 3.35Western = 3.02Southeast = 3.18
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 355
Q48. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing agricultural damage before they kill the bear?(Western Region)
19
11
37
4
3
2
14
10
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5 times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Mean = 3.03
356 Responsive Management
Q48. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing agricultural damage before they kill the bear?
(North Central Region)
14
0
2
46
5
5
3
16
8
20
0
3
10
18
3
33
5
7
20
0
5
8
14
4
4
40
3
18
0
4
13
11
2
9
4
37
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
MeanWMU 2F = 4.77WMU 2G = 3.99WMU 3A = 4.83WMU 4D = 3.91
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 357
Q48. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing agricultural damage before they kill the bear?
(South Central Region)
11
21
4
8
7
34
5
1
917
2
5
12
22
2
31
5
6
17
4
1
9
18
3
33
6
8
19
3
4
11
20
1
33
4
6
16
0
5
13
18
4
7
4
33
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Mean WMU 2C = 3.68 WMU 2D = 3.55 WMU 2E = 5.21 WMU 4A = 3.06 WMU 4B = 3.51
358 Responsive Management
Q48. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing agricultural damage before they kill the bear?
(Northeastern Region)
23
1
3
43
2
5
2
13
8
17
1
2
7
21
2
39
5
5
11
2
2
9
20
10
3
40
3
12
0
9
10
15
2
5
4
44
12
1
5
7
17
1
6
4
47
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5 times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
MeanWMU 3B = 3.29WMU 3C = 3.54WMU 3D = 3.37WMU 4C = 3.11WMU 4E = 3.89
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 359
Q48. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in causing agricultural damage before they kill the bear?
(Southeastern Region)
12
15
3
4
5
41
4
1
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Mean = 3.18
360 Responsive Management
48. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's involvement in this type of activity before they kill the bear? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Should not be killed 34.1 30.6 33.2 46.3 33.1 40.3 43.0 39.2 40.5 More than 5 times 6.8 5.2 6.3 5.3 4.6 4.3 2.4 4.8 2.7 5 times 8.0 6.1 8.0 5.0 7.0 3.7 4.8 5.4 9.8 4 times 4.4 1.6 3.4 2.7 3.3 2.8 1.7 1.7 3.0 3 times 20.6 21.7 17.9 15.8 18.1 14.4 12.6 21.1 20.0 2 times 10.9 11.8 8.5 8.5 10.3 8.3 7.8 7.1 8.8 1 time 5.0 4.6 1.1 2.4 3.4 5.3 3.3 2.3 2.0 0 times 1.0 1.6 4.3 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.9 1.4 2.0 Don't know 9.2 16.8 17.2 13.7 20.0 20.4 23.3 17.0 11.2
48. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's involvement in this type of activity before they kill the bear? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Should not be killed 32.7 33.2 44.2 37.0 46.6 41.0 36.8 More than 5 times 3.5 4.1 3.5 4.4 3.8 5.1 4.1 5 times 6.1 7.2 4.6 9.2 6.3 4.0 3.0 4 times 1.3 3.7 1.5 2.3 1.1 2.5 2.0 3 times 20.4 17.7 15.0 11.1 17.1 14.8 13.5 2 times 10.6 12.7 10.0 13.4 7.2 11.6 9.9 1 time 3.5 4.9 9.1 4.4 5.0 4.2 11.3 0 times 3.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.7 1.1 0.3 Don't know 18.8 16.3 12.1 18.1 12.3 15.6 19.2
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 361
Q52. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in attempting to enter or actually entering homes or buildings before they kill the
bear?(Statewide)
15
8
1
2
1
27
26
7
13
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent (n=4411)
Mean = 1.73
362 Responsive Management
Q52. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in attempting to enter or actually entering homes or buildings before they kill the
bear?(Statewide)
19
10
24
12
8
3
21
2
1
13
3
29
18
9
1
24
1
3
22
11
1
2
1
21
26
4
1111
4
24
19
8
1
32
1
2
12
7
27
13
7
1
2
0
30
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
MeanSouth Central = 1.96North Central = 1.85Northeast = 1.88Western = 1.82Southeast = 1.58
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 363
Q52. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in attempting to enter or actually entering homes or buildings before they kill the
bear?(Western Region)
19
10
24
20
2
1
4
8
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5 times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Mean = 1.82
364 Responsive Management
Q52. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in attempting to enter or actually entering homes or buildings before they kill the
bear?(North Central Region)
17
11
1
1
1
30
26
2
11
5
1
18
2
7
17
29
3
17
1
20
0
1
9
17
33
5
13
26
1
2
0
9
19
29
3
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
MeanWMU 2F = 1.82WMU 2G = 2.04WMU 3A = 1.62WMU 4D = 1.77
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 365
Q52. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in attempting to enter or actually entering homes or buildings before they kill the
bear?(South Central Region)
23
12
0
3
1
23
24
53
32
24
8
1
15
1
2
3
25
17
11
1
26
3
1
7
21
22
14
3
20
1
0
6
25
21
15
1
2
2
19
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Mean WMU 2C = 1.93 WMU 2D = 1.95 WMU 2E = 2.22 WMU 4A = 1.81 WMU 4B = 1.99
366 Responsive Management
Q52. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in attempting to enter or actually entering homes or buildings before they kill the
bear?(Northeastern Region)
14
4
16
36
1
1
0
7
21
14
1
23
15
15
1
28
1
1
8
3
27
22
10
3
1
25
1
9
4
29
15
5
0
2
1
36
13
5
20
16
11
1
2
1
31
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5 times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
MeanWMU 3B = 1.77WMU 3C = 2.09WMU 3D = 1.96WMU 4C = 1.79WMU 4E = 1.88
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 367
Q52. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's
involvement in attempting to enter or actually entering homes or buildings before they kill the
bear?(Southeastern Region)
13
7
1
2
0
30
27
7
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Should not bekilled
More than 5times
5 times
4 times
3 times
2 times
1 time
0 times
Don't know
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Mean = 1.58
368 Responsive Management
52. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's involvement in this type of activity before they kill the bear? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Should not be killed 23.4 15.3 25.7 30.1 17.8 20.5 36.3 28.0 24.5
More than 5 times 1.3 1.5 2.6 0.5 0.9 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.2 5 times 2.8 2.5 1.2 1.0 5.4 1.4 0.8 1.2 2.6 4 times 0.3 1.5 0.5 1.4 2.3 0.6 0.2 0.5 1.1 3 times 11.5 7.6 11.3 10.8 6.5 9.3 6.7 15.3 9.6 2 times 22.6 24.4 17.2 17.4 17.3 17.1 21.1 15.4 22.3 1 time 23.5 32.0 25.1 26.2 29.3 32.8 16.5 23.0 27.0 0 times 4.7 2.5 3.3 1.8 3.5 5.0 3.8 0.9 3.4 Don't know 9.8 12.8 13.0 10.6 17.0 13.0 13.9 14.4 8.3
52. How many times should the Game Commission document an individual bear's involvement in this type of activity before they kill the bear? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Should not be killed 19.3 18.9 35.6 26.4 31.4 30.0 20.7 More than 5 times 0.6 1.7 1.0 1.1 0.8 0.5 1.7 5 times 0.3 2.4 2.2 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.4 4 times 2.5 0.9 0.2 0.5 0.5 1.1 3.5 3 times 14.4 14.8 4.7 9.0 11.4 7.0 7.6 2 times 22.0 20.6 14.9 19.1 16.3 12.9 12.3 1 time 20.3 24.8 28.6 28.8 20.0 27.4 24.1 0 times 7.2 5.5 3.8 2.9 5.3 7.0 10.0 Don't know 13.3 10.3 9.1 10.7 12.5 12.4 18.8
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 369
KNOWLEDGE OF BLACK BEARS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK BEARS
Self-professed knowledge about black bears among Pennsylvania residents is low: 27% say
that they know a great deal or moderate amount (in fact, only 3% say that they know a great
deal), while 73% say that they know a little or nothing.
• Regional crosstabulation: Respondents from the North Central, South Central, and
Northeastern Regions are slightly more likely, relative to respondents from the other two
regions, to say that they know a great deal or moderate amount about black bears in
Pennsylvania. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with indicating knowing a great deal
about black bears in Pennsylvania suggest the following:
o Those who know a great deal about black bears are more likely to be very interested
in receiving information from the Commission about black bears (relative to those
who do not know a great deal).
o There appear to be two groups that indicate knowing a great deal about black bears:
one group being comfortable about bears (wants to see and have black bears in their
yard); the second group showing less comfort (wants the black bear population to
decrease; agrees black bears should be managed to control their population).
o Those who know a great deal about black bears are more likely to have hunted in the
past 2 years.
o Those who know a great deal about black bears are more likely to have had nuisance
bears on their property. However, they are more likely to not be supportive of using
non-lethal repellents or of capture-and-release methods to address nuisance bears. (It
may be that they want to hunt them, instead.)
o Those who know a great deal about black bears are more likely to say the
Commission is doing a fair or poor job of managing black bears in Pennsylvania.
o Demographic characteristics correlated to knowing a great deal about black bears
include living in a rural area, living on a farm, being male, being within the lesser
educated end of the scale, being in the middle age group, and being white.
370 Responsive Management
The top information sources about black bears among Pennsylvania residents include
newspapers (30% say they get information about black bears from this source), television
programs (23%), and family/friends (23%). Magazines (13%) and the Internet (12%) are
also common sources.
• The survey asked about Commission sources of information, as well. Although most
Pennsylvania residents do not get information about black bears from the Commission,
there are three important Commission sources: Game News Magazine, the Commission
website, and Commission news releases.
• Regional crosstabulations. There are some slight regional differences in sources of
information about black bears. Only the most important sources in which marked
variations occur are discussed, as is the regional variation among those who do not get
information about black bears.
o Newspapers: Western and Southeastern Region respondents are the most likely to get
their information from newspapers. This difference is statistically significant
(p < 0.001).
o Television: Northeastern and Southeastern Region respondents are the most likely to
get their information from television. This difference is statistically significant
(p < 0.001).
o Word-of-mouth: North Central and South Central Region respondents are the most
likely to get their information by word-of-mouth. This difference is statistically
significant (p < 0.001).
o Internet: Northeastern Region respondents are the most likely to get their information
from the Internet, but the difference is small. This difference is statistically
significant (p < 0.001).
o Does not get information: Southeastern Region respondents are the most likely not to
get information about black bears. This difference is statistically significant
(p < 0.001).
Just less than half of Pennsylvania residents (46%) express interest in receiving information
about black bears from the Commission. Topics of most interest (from those who are
interested in information) include black bear biology, Pennsylvania’s black bear management
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 371
plan, black bear hunting, addressing black bear nuisance problems, what to do if you
encounter a black bear, and who to contact for black bear problems.
• Regional crosstabulations. Southeastern Region respondents have the highest percentage
indicating being not interested at all about receiving information about black bears. Of
those expressing interest, Western and Southeastern Region respondents are more likely,
relative to respondents from other regions, to want information about Pennsylvania’s
black bear management plan. Southeastern Region respondents are the most likely to
want information about who to contact for black bear problems. These differences are
statistically significant (p < 0.001).
• Nonparametric analysis. The positive correlations with being very interested in receiving
information about black bears from the Commission suggest the following:
o Those who are very interested in receiving information about black bears from the
Commission are more likely to say that they know a great deal about black bears,
relative to those who are not very interested in receiving information.
o Those who are very interested in receiving information about black bears from the
Commission include a group who are sympathetic toward black bears (thinking the
population in their county should be increased, wanting to see and have black bears in
their yard, not indicating agreement that the black bear populations should be
managed to control their population).
o Those who are very interested in receiving information about black bears from the
Commission are more likely, relative to those who are not very interested in receiving
information, to have been hunting in the past 2 years and to support black bear
hunting. This bullet and the one above suggest two groups, both being very interested
in receiving information about black bears, the first not wanting to control bear
populations (as indicated in the bullet above), and the second consisting of bear
hunters (as indicated in this bullet).
o Those who are very interested in receiving information about black bears from the
Commission are more likely, compared to those who are not very interested in
receiving information, to have had nuisance bear problems in the past 2 years.
372 Responsive Management
o Those who are very interested in receiving information about black bears from the
Commission are more likely to rate the Commission’s bear management as fair or
poor, compared to those who are not very interested in receiving information.
o Those who are very interested in receiving information about black bears from the
Commission, relative to those who are not very interested in receiving information,
have positive correlations to the following demographic characteristics: being rural,
including living on a farm; being in the middle to older age group; being in the lower
end of the educational attainment spectrum; living in the Northeastern or South
Central Region; being male; and being white.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 373
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Statewide)
26
47
24
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent (n=4411)
374 Responsive Management
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Statewide)
26
1
21
52
14
7
29
50
15
51
31
3
20
6
27
47
31
44
23
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 375
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Western Region)
1
21
52
26
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
376 Responsive Management
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(North Central Region)
4
27
56
1213
11
33
4338
40
10
1215
55
26
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 377
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(South Central Region)
15
51
31
3
17
4
31
48
14
5
33
48
11
4
26
59
19
50
27
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
378 Responsive Management
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Northeastern Region)
4
23
48
25
19
5
31
45
45
30
9
1721
49
26
5
17
46
31
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 379
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a moderate amount, a little, or
nothing?(Southeastern Region)
31
44
23
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
A great deal
A moderateamount
A little
Nothing
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
380 Responsive Management
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a
moderate amount, a little, or nothing?
11 104 5
94 4 5 4 6
2 13 4 5 4
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated knowing a great deal
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a
moderate amount, a little, or nothing?
3340
2331 30
26 27 26 2631
23 21
31 31 3327
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated knowing a moderate amount
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 381
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a
moderate amount, a little, or nothing?
4338
48 45 45
59
50 4955
46 445251
48 4856
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated knowing a little
Q7. How much would you say you know about black bears in Pennsylvania? Would you say you know a great deal, a
moderate amount, a little, or nothing?
13 12
2519 17
1119 21
15 17
3126
15 1714 12
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated knowing nothing
382 Responsive Management
Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. Significance Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Is male. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.01
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.05
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.05 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 383
Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. Significance Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Is female. p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.01 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.01
Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.01
Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.01 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.05
Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.05 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
384 Responsive Management
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears?(Statewide)
1
1
1
1
2
13
18
20
23
23
30
12
4
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Newspaper
Television programs
Family or friends
Word of mouth
I don't have / get information about bears
Magazines
Internet
Personal experience
Books
Other
From hunting or interacting with a hunter
School / classroom
Call / visit a state agency office
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=4411)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 385
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears? (Part 1.)
(Statewide)
7
7
11
16
23
35
20
23
11
12
17
11
31
22
13
25
15
12
29
24
17
23
9
59
17
14
11
20
28
25
22
1
12
12
23
16
22
27
31
0 20 40 60 80 100
Newspaper
Televisionprograms
Family or friends
Word of mouth
I don't have / getinformation about
bears
Magazines
Internet
Personalexperience
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
386 Responsive Management
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears? (Part 2.)
(Statewide)
0
0
0
1
0
3
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
6
1
3
2
2
2
2
1
5
2
00
1
1
1
2
6
2
3
1
0
0
1
1
1
2
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Books
Other
From hunting orinteracting with a
hunter
School /classroom
Call / visit a stateagency office
Don't know
Publicpresentation
Video / DVD
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 387
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears?
(Western Region)
3
7
7
35
23
23
19
16
11
1
1
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Newspaper
Word of mouth
Family or friends
Television programs
I don't have / get informationabout bears
Magazines
Personal experience
Internet
Books
Call / visit a state agency office
From hunting or interacting with ahunter
Other
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
388 Responsive Management
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears? (Part 1.)
(North Central Region)
11
16
36
18
28
15
12
12
8
5
14
13
18
40
27
20
7
11
18
15
18
26
30
10
16
13
8
13
19
23
27
25
0 20 40 60 80 100
Word of mouth
Family or friends
Newspaper
Magazines
Televisionprograms
Personalexperience
I don't have / getinformation about
bears
Internet
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 389
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears? (Part 2.)
(North Central Region)
1
1
3
2
2
0
1
0
6
1
0
1
0
3
5
3
2
1
0
2
5
3
5
3
1
2
1
1
6
1
3
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Books
From hunting orinteracting with a
hunter
Call / visit a stateagency office
School /classroom
Publicpresentation
Video / DVD
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
390 Responsive Management
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears? (Part 1.)
(South Central Region)
15
13
17
21
24
27
9
44
9
8
20
18
33
22
28
7
11
10
14
18
26
25
20
10
10
11
16
15
33
23
23
6
10
16
15
14
28
29
27
0 20 40 60 80 100
Word of mouth
Family or friends
Newspaper
Televisionprograms
Magazines
I don't have / getinformation about
bears
Internet
Personalexperience
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 391
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears? (Part 2.)
(South Central Region)
2
1
3
2
1
6
3
00
0
2
3
2
4
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
6
2
2
0
1
1
2
3
2
1
2
0
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Books
Call / visit a stateagency office
From hunting orinteracting with a
hunter
Don't know
Other
Publicpresentation
School /classroom
Video / DVD
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
392 Responsive Management
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears? (Part 1.)(Northeastern Region)
14
29
30
18
19
14
12
9
15
10
33
33
30
23
8
13
25
19
19
28
17
10
14
18
21
26
26
28
16
15
9
20
28
26
26
0 20 40 60 80 100
Newspaper
Televisionprograms
Family or friends
Word of mouth
Internet
Magazines
I don't have / getinformation about
bears
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 393
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears? (Part 2.)(Northeastern Region)
1
3
0
8
4
4
5
1
2
1
3
0
1
2
2
8
10
0
0
2
0
1
2
3
8
11
0
1
2
0
1
1
0
3
5
10
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
3
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Personalexperience
Books
From hunting orinteracting with a
hunter
School / classroom
Public presentation
Call / visit a stateagency office
Video / DVD
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
394 Responsive Management
Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears?
(Southeastern Region)
1
1
1
1
1
12
16
22
23
27
31
12
2
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Newspaper
Television programs
I don't have / get information about bears
Family or friends
Word of mouth
Internet
Magazines
Other
Books
School / classroom
Call / visit a state agency office
Personal experience
From hunting or interacting with a hunter
Video / DVD
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 395
58. Where do you get your information about black bears? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg Word of mouth 27.0 32.5 26.5 36.2 40.0 30.1 18.9 33.1 16.6 26.6 Newspaper 21.2 28.0 20.4 27.9 20.1 18.3 28.6 33.5 27.9 26.3 Family or friends 23.6 22.4 24.8 17.5 26.6 26.2 17.9 23.1 19.4 23.7 Television programs 17.5 17.8 17.6 11.8 13.4 15.2 29.9 29.9 18.8 19.5
Magazines 13.0 20.2 13.5 15.4 18.4 10.1 12.4 15.4 13.4 14.6 I don't have/get information about bears
15.2 8.0 9.9 16.4 4.5 11.0 14.3 9.3 8.3 12.7
Internet 8.9 8.5 11.0 10.8 7.8 7.0 14.4 9.9 24.7 11.5 Personal Experience 3.9 4.2 7.5 12.3 14.1 17.7 8.0 8.1 11.2 8.5
Books 6.4 3.6 5.7 3.0 3.2 4.7 4.3 9.6 8.3 4.8 From hunting or interacting with a hunter
2.2 2.8 2.2 1.6 5.0 2.8 4.4 0.4 3.3 2.3
Call/visit a state agency office 0.6 5.2 2.1 1.7 3.0 5.0 1.6 1.1 0.8 2.0
School/Classroom 3.5 0.3 0.9 0.2 0.4 3.3 5.5 2.1 0.5 1.6 Public presentation 2.3 1.8 1.1 1.5 0.5 1.8 1.4 1.5 2.1 1.2 Video/DVD 0.3 0.3 0.9 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Other 0.6 3.2 1.3 0.7 1.3 1.4 2.9 2.8 2.3 1.8 Don't know 2.7 1.8 0.8 0.9 6.2 2.4 0.6 1.1 0.2 1.5
396 Responsive Management
58. Where do you get your information about black bears? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg Word of mouth 32.0 27.2 21.5 25.1 20.3 15.9 22.7 26.6 Newspaper 23.0 28.1 28.1 22.5 26.5 30.9 35.2 26.3 Family or friends 23.6 29.2 26.1 26.7 28.1 21.9 22.8 23.7 Television programs 15.0 13.6 26.0 13.2 26.4 26.5 19.7 19.5 Magazines 15.5 15.1 13.9 18.5 15.3 12.0 11.2 14.6 I don't have/get information about bears
10.5 16.0 10.3 13.5 16.4 22.7 16.4 12.7
Internet 10.1 9.8 17.8 15.8 8.8 12.3 6.9 11.5 Personal Experience 9.6 6.4 9.8 7.8 8.0 1.0 7.1 8.5 Books 2.3 4.5 4.8 8.5 2.7 2.1 3.2 4.8 From hunting or interacting with a hunter
1.9 1.0 2.8 2.7 1.9 0.6 1.0 2.3
Call/visit a state agency office 1.0 4.1 0.6 1.3 1.1 1.0 1.0 2.0
School/Classroom 1.1 0.6 0.5 5.6 0.9 1.0 0.0 1.6 Public presentation 0.9 0.7 0.6 1.1 0.9 0.0 0.3 1.2 Video/DVD 0.0 0.5 0.4 1.0 0.9 0.5 0.2 0.4 Other 2.6 1.3 1.9 1.5 2.1 2.1 0.7 1.8 Don't know 3.3 1.3 1.0 0.5 0.8 0.3 0.4 1.5
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 397
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.)
(Statewide)
1
1
1
2
4
4
9
12
68
2
1
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
None
Articles in Game News Magazine
PGC website
PGC news release
PGC employee
PGC Living With Black Bearspamphlet
Don't know
Other
Calling / visiting a PGC office
Public presentation by PGC
PGC black bear video
Hunting resources
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=3901)
398 Responsive Management
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.) (Part 1.)
(Statewide)
3
2
2
2
70
18
5
2
2
5
4
55
17
15
4
5
5
11
15
57
32
2
6
3
66
12
11
1
2
3
5
9
9
72
0 20 40 60 80 100
None
Articles in GameNews Magazine
PGC website
PGC news release
PGC employee
PGC Living WithBlack Bears
pamphlet
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=233)North Central (n=977)South Central (n=1181)Northeastern (n=1231)Southeastern (n=228)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 399
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.) (Part 2.)
(Statewide)
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
1
0
1
0
2
3
3
10
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Calling / visiting aPGC office
Publicpresentation by
PGC
Other
PGC black bearvideo
Huntingresources
School /classroom
presentation byPGC
Books
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=233)North Central (n=977)South Central (n=1181)Northeastern (n=1231)Southeastern (n=228)
400 Responsive Management
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.)
(Western Region)
1
69
19
5
2
2
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
None
Articles in GameNews Magazine
PGC website
PGC Living WithBlack Bears
pamphlet
PGC employee
PGC newsrelease
Calling / visiting aPGC office
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=233)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 401
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.) (Part 1.)
(North Central Region)
3
61
12
10
4
4
2
1
4
4
5
54
18
15
4
5
4
9
17
57
5
2
2
4
5
17
17
53
0 20 40 60 80 100
None
Articles in GameNews Magazine
PGC website
PGC employee
PGC news release
Calling / visiting aPGC office
PGC Living WithBlack Bears
pamphlet
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=240)WMU 2G (n=256)WMU 3A (n=237)WMU 4D (n=244)
402 Responsive Management
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.) (Part 2.)
(North Central Region)
3
1
0
1
2
1
1
4
0
0
1
2
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
5
0
1
1
1
1
2
4
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Hunting resources
School / classroompresentation by
PGC
PGC black bearvideo
Public presentationby PGC
Books
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=240)WMU 2G (n=256)WMU 3A (n=237)WMU 4D (n=244)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 403
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.)
(Part 1.)(South Central Region)
4
5
4
8
12
61
26
3
5
8
49
17
15
1
6
5
3
57
17
11
6
6
3
5
58
23
13
3
3
4
5
15
17
53
0 20 40 60 80 100
None
Articles in GameNews Magazine
PGC website
PGC employee
PGC newsrelease
PGC Living WithBlack Bears
pamphlet
Calling / visiting aPGC office
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=223)WMU 2D (n=241)WMU 2E (n=251)WMU 4A (n=235)WMU 4B (n=231)
404 Responsive Management
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.)
(Part 2.)(South Central Region)
0
0
1
2
6
2
12
0
1
0
4
0
2
1
0
0
1
2
2
1
0
1
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
2
0
1
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Don't know
Publicpresentation by
PGC
Other
Books
School /classroom
presentation byPGC
PGC black bearvideo
Hunting resources
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=223)WMU 2D (n=241)WMU 2E (n=251)WMU 4A (n=235)WMU 4B (n=231)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 405
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.) (Part 1.)
(Northeastern Region)
2
72
9
9
4
3
2
3
3
2
6
67
16
7
1
2
1
10
11
65
7
1
3
3
6
13
12
60
1
3
5
6
11
14
67
0 20 40 60 80 100
None
Articles in GameNews Magazine
PGC website
PGC employee
PGC newsrelease
PGC Living WithBlack Bears
pamphlet
Publicpresentation by
PGC
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=232)WMU 3C (n=245)WMU 3D (n=255)WMU 4C (n=249)WMU 4E (n=250)
406 Responsive Management
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who receive information about black bears.) (Part 2.)
(Northeastern Region)
0
2
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
2
0
0
3
0
0
2
1
2
0
3
2
0
0
1
2
1
0
0
0
1
0
3
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Calling / visiting aPGC office
PGC black bearvideo
Huntingresources
School /classroom
presentation byPGC
Books
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=232)WMU 3C (n=245)WMU 3D (n=255)WMU 4C (n=249)WMU 4E (n=250)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 407
Q62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black
bears? (Asked of individuals who received information about black bears.)
(Southeastern Region)
2
3
5
9
9
72
1
1
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
None
PGC website
Articles in GameNews Magazine
PGC news release
PGC employee
PGC Living WithBlack Bears pamphlet
Other
Don't know
PGC black bear video
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=228)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D
408 Responsive Management
62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black bears? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg None 60.8 49.0 57.0 61.1 54.1 56.6 72.5 66.9 64.9 61.1 Articles in Game News Magazine 11.7 17.2 17.5 12.2 17.5 16.8 9.4 15.7 11.4 15.0
PGC website 8.1 15.5 10.5 10.0 14.7 9.0 9.1 7.5 10.4 11.1 PGC employee 3.9 8.0 2.7 4.5 4.7 5.5 4.2 6.2 6.9 4.9 PGC news release 4.6 4.8 5.1 4.4 4.0 3.9 3.0 1.9 0.9 3.7
PGC Living With Black Bears pamphlet
3.8 2.6 5.9 2.7 1.3 3.6 1.8 3.3 1.7 2.9
Calling/visiting a PGC office 1.8 6.0 0.7 2.2 4.0 5.4 1.6 2.0 1.6 2.4
Public presentation by PGC
6.1 0.5 1.7 1.8 1.2 0.5 2.4 3.0 0.8 1.5
Hunting resources 0.5 1.6 0.8 1.3 2.3 5.4 1.1 0.0 1.9 1.1
PGC black bear video 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.7 1.3 0.9 0.7 0.5 0.7 1.0
School/classroom presentation by PGC
0.2 0.8 0.5 0.0 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.9 0.0 0.7
Books 0.8 0.4 1.2 1.5 0.0 1.0 0.9 0.2 0.2 0.5 Other 1.9 1.5 1.0 1.1 0.2 1.1 1.4 0.0 0.4 1.0 Don't know 2.1 4.2 1.7 3.0 3.5 0.8 0.4 0.8 3.3 2.1
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 409
62. Which Pennsylvania Game Commission sources have you used to get information on black bears? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg None 57.8 53.2 60.4 53.5 67.3 72.4 69.8 61.1 Articles in Game News Magazine 23.2 16.9 12.5 17.5 13.6 9.0 18.4 15.0
PGC website 12.4 14.8 13.2 16.9 10.9 9.5 5.2 11.1 PGC employee 5.4 4.6 6.3 5.4 5.6 2.9 1.8 4.9 PGC news release 3.3 3.9 3.2 3.7 5.2 5.3 1.8 3.7 PGC Living With Black Bears pamphlet
5.5 3.0 3.1 1.8 2.5 1.8 1.8 2.9
Calling/visiting a PGC office 5.8 2.6 1.0 1.7 1.3 0.3 0.5 2.4
Public presentation by PGC 1.6 1.1 1.0 0.6 0.7 0.3 0.3 1.5
Hunting resources 0.0 0.3 1.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 1.1 PGC black bear video 1.2 1.5 2.0 1.9 3.3 0.5 0.3 1.0 School/classroom presentation by PGC 1.2 0.6 0.2 4.2 0.6 0.0 0.3 0.7
Books 0.0 1.6 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 Other 1.4 0.3 2.4 0.7 0.4 1.4 0.5 1.0 Don't know 0.2 5.4 3.3 1.0 0.2 0.8 2.5 2.1
410 Responsive Management
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about
black bears?(Statewide)
54
27
19
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very interested
Somewhatinterested
Not at allinterested
Percent (n=4411)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 411
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about
black bears?(Statewide)
16
36
48
23
30
47
45
31
24
24
29
47
61
21
18
0 20 40 60 80 100
Veryinterested
Somewhatinterested
Not at allinterested
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
412 Responsive Management
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about
black bears?(Western Region)
16
36
47
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very interested
Somewhatinterested
Not at allinterested
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 413
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about
black bears?(North Central Region)
21
25
54
23
31
46
44
30
26
47
31
22
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very interested
Somewhatinterested
Not at allinterested
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
414 Responsive Management
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about
black bears?(South Central Region)
42
32
26
20
28
52
23
38
39
23
31
46
47
24
29
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very interested
Somewhatinterested
Not at allinterested
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 415
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about
black bears?(Northeastern Region)
21
26
53
22
28
50
41
27
32
47
31
22
45
34
21
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very interested
Somewhatinterested
Not at allinterested
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
416 Responsive Management
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about
black bears?(Southeastern Region)
61
21
18
0 20 40 60 80 100
Very interested
Somewhatinterested
Not at allinterested
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 417
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears?
23 2621 22
32
2229
22 22 21 18 16
2620
23 21
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they are very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears?
31 3026 28 27
3124
31 31 34
21
3632
28
38
25
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they are somewhat interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears
418 Responsive Management
Q64. How interested are you in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears?
46 44
53 50
4147 47 47 47 45
61
4842
52
39
54
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who indicated that they are not at all interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 419
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
Significance
Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.01 Is male. p < 0.01 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.01 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.01 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.05
Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
Significance
Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is female. p < 0.01 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.01 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.05 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.05
420 Responsive Management
Q67. What black bear topics interest you? (Asked of individuals who are interested in receiving
information from the Game Commission about black bears.)(Statewide)
1
2
4
6
18
23
24
25
39
45
10
8
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Black bear biology
Pennsylvania's bear management plan
Black bear hunting
How to avoid / stop nuisance bearproblems
What to do if you encounter a bear
Who to contact if you have a bearproblem
Don't know
General information about black bears
Black bear habitat information (such aslocation, migration and hibernation
patterns)Population statistics and breeding
information
Black bear behavior
Information concerning black bearinteraction with humans
Other
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=2267)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 421
Q67. What black bear topics interest you? (Asked of individuals who are interested in receiving
information from the Game Commission about black bears.)
(Part 1.)(Statewide)
7
13
19
23
44
41
22
16
12
16
25
47
33
22
16
20
22
23
29
41
1311
16
23
21
47
32
25
9
23
27
26
29
45
46
0 20 40 60 80 100
Black bear biology
Pennsylvania's bearmanagement plan
Black bear hunting
How to avoid / stopnuisance bear
problems
What to do if youencounter a bear
Who to contact ifyou have a bear
problem
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=131)North Central (n=575)South Central (n=724)Northeastern (n=725)Southeastern (n=112)
422 Responsive Management
Q67. What black bear topics interest you? (Asked of individuals who are interested in receiving
information from the Game Commission about black bears.) (Part 2.)
(Statewide)
3
4
2
9
12
5
0
2
2
8
3
8
1
4
4
7
11
6
0
1
4
10
8
7
0
2
7
5
5
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
General information about black bears
Black bear habitat information (such aslocation, migration and hibernation
patterns)
Population statistics and breedinginformation
Black bear behavior
Information concerning black bearinteraction with humans
Other
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=131)North Central (n=575)South Central (n=724)Northeastern (n=725)Southeastern (n=112)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 423
Q67. What black bear topics interest you?(Western Region)
5
10
12
44
41
23
22
19
14
3
2
3
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Black bear biology
Pennsylvania's bear managementplan
How to avoid / stop nuisance bearproblems
Black bear hunting
What to do if you encounter a bear
Who to contact if you have a bearproblem
Black bear habitat information (suchas location, migration and hibernation
patterns)
General information about black bears
Population statistics and breedinginformation
Information concerning black bearinteraction with humans
Black bear behavior
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=131)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
424 Responsive Management
Q67. What black bear topics interest you?(North Central Region)
51
34
22
23
15
12
8
8
4
2
3
0
19
8
9
9
38
22
20
19
12
8
3
3
0
1612
0
0
3
1
7
8
15
20
21
45
38
33
17
1
1
5
3
6
11
10
16
18
25
44
22
0 20 40 60 80 100
Black bear biology
Pennsylvania's bear management plan
How to avoid / stop nuisance bear problems
Black bear hunting
What to do if you encounter a bear
Who to contact if you have a bear problem
General information about black bears
Population statistics and breedinginformation
Black bear habitat information (such aslocation, migration and hibernation patterns)
Black bear behavior
Information concerning black bearinteraction with humans
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=134)WMU 2G (n=153)WMU 3A (n=150)WMU 4D (n=138)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 425
Q67. What black bear topics interest you? (Part 1.)(South Central Region)
17
21
26
21
28
34
159
13
17
17
46
28
20
11
11
14
18
44
30
23
9
24
29
30
68
39
30
10
24
31
26
30
32
47
0 20 40 60 80 100
Black bear biology
Pennsylvania'sbear management
plan
How to avoid /stop nuisancebear problems
Black bear hunting
What to do if youencounter a bear
Who to contact ifyou have a bear
problem
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=146)WMU 2D (n=137)WMU 2E (n=162)WMU 4A (n=140)WMU 4B (n=139)
426 Responsive Management
Q67. What black bear topics interest you? (Part 2.)(South Central Region)
1
5
4
6
7
14
0
4
5
10
5
4
0
2
3
5
5
7
0
1
1
12
13
6
1
1
5
8
7
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Black bear habitatinformation (such
as location,migration and
hibernationpatterns)
Populationstatistics and
breedinginformation
Generalinformation about
black bears
Informationconcerning blackbear interaction
with humans
Black bearbehavior
Other
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=146)WMU 2D (n=137)WMU 2E (n=162)WMU 4A (n=140)WMU 4B (n=139)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 427
Q67. What black bear topics interest you? (Part 1.)(Northeastern Region)
54
39
38
27
28
2012
24
26
58
34
23
21
20
24
31
47
28
11
13
15
17
26
39
17
28
22
28
39
52
0 20 40 60 80 100
Black bearbiology
Pennsylvania'sbear
managementplan
Black bearhunting
What to do if youencounter a bear
How to avoid /stop nuisancebear problems
Who to contact ifyou have a bear
problem
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=130)WMU 3C (n=130)WMU 3D (n=168)WMU 4C (n=154)WMU 4E (n=143)
428 Responsive Management
Q67. What black bear topics interest you? (Part 2.)(Northeastern Region)
9
6
9
1
00
2
4
7
3
2
4
10
12
6
2
4
10
9
14
0
1
4
4
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
General information about blackbears
Black bear habitat information(such as location, migration and
hibernation patterns)
Population statistics and breedinginformation
Black bear behavior
Information concerning black bearinteraction with humans
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=130)WMU 3C (n=130)WMU 3D (n=168)WMU 4C (n=154)WMU 4E (n=143)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 429
Q67. What black bear topics interest you?(Asked of individuals who are interested in
receiving information about black bears from the Game Commission.)
(Southeastern Region)
2
5
5
23
26
27
29
45
46
9
8
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Black bear biology
Pennsylvania's bear management plan
Black bear hunting
What to do if you encounter a bear
How to avoid / stop nuisance bearproblems
Who to contact if you have a bear problem
Don't know
General information about black bears
Black bear behavior
Black bear habitat information (such aslocation, migration and hibernation
patterns)
Population statistics and breedinginformation
Information concerning black bearinteraction with humans
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=112)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D
430 Responsive Management
67. What black bear topics interest you? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg Black bear biology 34.1 45.7 43.7 38.4 45.2 43.8 53.7 57.6 47.2 47.3
Pennsylvania's bear management plan
28.0 27.7 30.2 22.3 38.4 25.4 39.3 33.9 31.4 33.3
Black bear hunting 26.0 17.3 18.1 19.1 20.7 21.8 37.5 23.0 23.6 23.8
How to avoid/stop nuisance bear problems
20.9 20.4 22.9 20.3 32.8 18.4 28.1 23.7 19.7 23.7
What to do if you encounter a bear
20.8 17.4 13.6 11.6 19.9 16.3 27.3 26.4 28.4 21.2
Who to contact if you have a bear problem
16.8 12.5 11.2 8.2 15.0 10.5 19.9 11.5 20.6 15.7
General information about black bears
6.4 4.3 7.4 9.4 7.7 10.6 9.3 3.7 11.7 7.9
Black bear habitat information (including location, migration and hibernation patterns)
14.0 10.2 4.5 8.3 1.5 3.0 5.9 7.3 10.1 7.3
Population statistics and breeding information
7.3 4.7 4.7 8.9 7.2 6.4 9.4 2.7 4.3 6.8
Black bear behavior 4.6 4.3 2.4 2.8 2.9 5.4 0.6 1.6 6.2 3.0
Information concerning black bear interaction with humans
4.0 4.8 2.8 2.7 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.0 1.7 2.1
Other 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 Don't know 15.0 9.3 11.4 16.0 12.1 17.1 5.1 6.2 6.1 12.1
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 431
67. What black bear topics interest you? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg Black bear biology 67.9 47.2 38.9 50.7 52.4 45.9 44.2 47.3 Pennsylvania's bear management plan 38.7 32.1 25.9 34.0 38.7 45.4 41.2 33.3
Black bear hunting 30.3 26.2 16.6 23.0 28.2 28.7 21.5 23.8 How to avoid/stop nuisance bear problems
30.5 29.8 13.0 21.8 28.3 26.4 22.6 23.7
What to do if you encounter a bear 28.5 31.2 15.2 14.5 22.3 27.0 18.9 21.2
Who to contact if you have a bear problem
24.1 24.5 10.8 11.9 16.6 23.4 13.5 15.7
General information about black bears 5.8 7.6 13.6 7.8 3.4 8.1 9.5 7.9
Black bear habitat information (including location, migration and hibernation patterns)
11.7 7.0 9.2 3.5 4.2 5.4 11.5 7.3
Population statistics and breeding information
13.3 7.5 10.0 7.9 4.3 4.6 5.0 6.8
Black bear behavior 1.4 1.4 4.4 1.6 0.9 6.5 1.7 3.0 Information concerning black bear interaction with humans
1.0 5.5 2.3 2.9 0.3 1.7 3.5 2.1
Other 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 2.9 0.4 Don't know 9.4 10.0 17.1 19.1 22.8 9.5 7.2 12.1
432 Responsive Management
RESPONDENTS’ HUNTING ACTIVITIES The researchers were interested in the species, including black bear, that residents had
hunted. So as to not ask non-hunters a question that would not apply to them, the survey first
determined who had hunted within the past 2 years (17% had hunted or gone hunting with
somebody in that timeframe; no graph is shown for this screener question). Then the survey
asked about species they had hunted in the previous 2 years in Pennsylvania. White-tailed
deer was the most commonly hunted species by far (85% of those who had hunted in the
previous 2 years). This was followed by six species hunted by at least a fifth of active
hunters: wild turkey (39%), squirrel (36%), pheasant (34%), ruffed grouse (31%), rabbit
(26%), and black bear (22%). (Note that the rate of elk hunting appears to be high, as the
Commission indicated to the researchers that only 0.006% of hunters are licensed to hunt elk
in any given year. The conjecture is that hunters indicated hunting elk if they had applied for
an elk license.)
• Regional crosstabulations. North Central and South Central Region respondents are the
most likely to have hunted in the past 2 years. Southeastern Region respondents are the
least likely. Regarding species hunted, the following marked variations were found (only
the most commonly hunted species are discussed):
o White-tailed deer: Western Region hunters are the least likely to have hunted
white-tailed deer. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
o Wild turkey: Western and Southeastern Region hunters are the least likely to have
hunted wild turkey. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
o Squirrel: Western Region hunters are the most likely to have hunted squirrel. This
difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
o Pheasant: Western Region hunters are the most likely to have hunted pheasant. This
difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
o Ruffed grouse: Western Region hunters are the most likely to have hunted ruffed
grouse. This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
o Black bear: Western Region hunters are the least likely to have hunted black bear.
This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 433
• Nonparametric analysis. The nonparametric (z-score) analysis was run on the
characteristic “has hunted in past 2 years” and its opposite. Those positive correlations
with having hunted suggest the following:
o Those who have hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years are more likely, compared
to those who have not, to be very interested in receiving information about black
bears from the Commission and to know a great deal about black bears.
o Those who have hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years are more likely, relative to
those who have not, to want the black bear population in their county to increase, to
indicate a high comfort level with having bears around, and to agree that black bears
should be managed to control their population.
o Not surprisingly, those who have hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years are more
likely to support hunting black bears than are those who have not been hunting.
o Those who have hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years are more likely, compared
to those who have not, to have had nuisance bear damage to their property.
o Those who have hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years are more likely, relative to
those who have not, to have the following demographic characteristics: being male
(the top z-score by far); living in the South Central, North Central, Western, or
Northeastern Regions (all Regions except the more urbanized Southeastern Region);
living in a rural area, including on a farm; being in the lower age range; and being in
the middle to lower educational range.
434 Responsive Management
Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. Significance Is male. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.01
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.05
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.05
Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 435
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. Significance Is female. p < 0.001 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.01
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.01 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.05
436 Responsive Management
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.)(Statewide)
1
2
2
5
8
9
10
10
11
26
31
34
36
39
85
22
13
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
White-tailed deer
Turkey
Squirrel
Pheasant
Ruffed grouse
Cottontail rabbit
Black bear
Snowshoe hare
Waterfowl
Coyote
Raccoon
Woodchuck
Crow
Fox
Elk
Bobcat
Other
Small game
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=1324*)
*Note that the weighted n-value would be 775.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 437
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 1.)
(Statewide)
54
31
64
58
55
26
14
30
46
90
20
22
21
2926
88
45
35
27
21
28
26
46
95
29
24
26
27
91
33
31
29
26
29
20
0 20 40 60 80 100
White-tailed deer
Turkey
Squirrel
Pheasant
Ruffed grouse
Cottontail rabbit
Black bear
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=107)North Central (n=706)South Central (n=831)Northeastern (n=683)Southeastern (n=106)
438 Responsive Management
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 2.)
(Statewide)
19
6
20
33
9
6
9
6
4
9
4
9
10
9
14
16
13
8
8
8
6
7
10
11
0
15
3
12
17
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Snowshoe hare
Waterfowl
Coyote
Raccoon
Woodchuck
Crow
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=107)North Central (n=706)South Central (n=831)Northeastern (n=683)Southeastern (n=106)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 439
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 3.)
(Statewide)
0
0
0
0
3
6
0
1
1
0
1
6
4
2
2
3
1
8
8
16
10
0
0
0
6
6
2
0
0
0
7
0
2
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Fox
Elk
Bobcat
Other
Small game
Dove
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=107)North Central (n=706)South Central (n=831)Northeastern (n=683)Southeastern (n=106)
440 Responsive Management
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.)(Western Region)
19
20
26
64
58
55
55
33
31
14
9
6
6
6
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
White-tailed deer
Pheasant
Ruffed grouse
Squirrel
Snowshoe hare
Turkey
Cottontail rabbit
Raccoon
Crow
Black bear
Waterfowl
Coyote
Elk
Woodchuck
Fox
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=44)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 441
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 1.)
(North Central Region)
6
5
16
23
21
30
35
92
16
11
9
27
52
87
39
23
20
24
15
10
10
12
29
95
60
38
26
18
14
7
5
6
62
10
9
4
19
25
21
22
29
42
90
0 20 40 60 80 100
White-tailed deer
Turkey
Squirrel
Black bear
Ruffed grouse
Cottontail rabbit
Pheasant
Coyote
Crow
Snowshoe hare
Fox
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=117)WMU 2G (n=108)WMU 3A (n=113)WMU 4D (n=81)
442 Responsive Management
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 2.)
(North Central Region)
0
0
1
6
5
5
5
2
0
1
1
0
0
3
6
11
9
7
0
0
0
0
3
6
4
6
3
1
3
0
1
1
1
0
0
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Woodchuck
Elk
Raccoon
Waterfowl
Bobcat
Dove
Small game
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=117)WMU 2G (n=108)WMU 3A (n=113)WMU 4D (n=81)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 443
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 1.)
(South Central Region)
28
28
30
34
46
85
2321
31
20
22
90
48
38
20
27
27
32
88
46
31
15
16
28
25
93
44
37
11
17
21
25
36
29
95
0 20 40 60 80 100
White-taileddeer
Turkey
Squirrel
Cottontail rabbit
Black bear
Pheasant
Ruffed grouse
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=170)WMU 2D (n=147)WMU 2E (n=169)WMU 4A (n=174)WMU 4B (n=171)
444 Responsive Management
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 2.)
(South Central Region)
12
14
17
15
18
16
1
2
14
16
17
14
4
11
5
15
16
15
8
5
6
17
14
10
3
2
7
4
5
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
Fox
Coyote
Raccoon
Waterfowl
Crow
Snowshoehare
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=170)WMU 2D (n=147)WMU 2E (n=169)WMU 4A (n=174)WMU 4B (n=171)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 445
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 3.)
(South Central Region)
1
2
3
13
13
15
10
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
3
7
5
7
0
0
2
3
4
6
3
0
1
0
1
0
1
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Woodchuck
Elk
Bobcat
Small game
Dove
Other
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=170)WMU 2D (n=147)WMU 2E (n=169)WMU 4A (n=174)WMU 4B (n=171)
446 Responsive Management
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 1.)
(Northeastern Region)
10
9
28
97
67
32
28
26
27
9
14
30
29
26
34
92
48
33
11
12
24
42
41
33
44
91
33
12
12
23
12
29
17
14
32
99
5
7
13
22
13
22
31
41
94
0 20 40 60 80 100
White-taileddeer
Turkey
Black bear
Cottontail rabbit
Pheasant
Squirrel
Ruffed grouse
Coyote
Waterfowl
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=68)WMU 3C (n=73)WMU 3D (n=57)WMU 4C (n=61)WMU 4E (n=76)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 447
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.) (Part 2.)
(Northeastern Region)
6
18
10
4
9
9
3
1
0
12
8
6
4
4
3
7
2
1
9
17
9
17
5
10
0
0
0
3
8
0
2
1
3
1
0
1
3
2
1
2
0
5
0
0
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Woodchuck
Crow
Snowshoe hare
Raccoon
Elk
Fox
Bobcat
Small game
Other
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=68)WMU 3C (n=73)WMU 3D (n=57)WMU 4C (n=61)WMU 4E (n=76)
448 Responsive Management
Q72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? (Asked of
individuals who have hunted in the past 2 years.)(Southeastern Region)
15
17
20
91
33
31
29
29
26
12
8
7
5
3
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
White-tailed deer
Turkey
Squirrel
Cottontail rabbit
Pheasant
Ruffed grouse
Black bear
Waterfowl
Woodchuck
Coyote
Fox
Other
Snowshoe hare
Raccoon
Elk
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=106)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 449
72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg White-tailed deer 85.2 89.5 87.6 92.5 87.1 95.1 96.7 91.9 91.3 90.2
Turkey 46.1 47.6 46.2 35.4 51.8 60.4 66.8 47.7 43.9 43.5 Squirrel 34.1 37.8 30.9 30.4 27.5 37.9 27.3 28.6 41.7 32.4 Black bear 28.0 20.4 26.6 20.7 39.2 29.3 32.1 33.2 32.5 25.7 Pheasant 28.1 30.5 27.1 15.9 24.4 14.4 26.0 26.3 41.0 25.9 Cottontail rabbit 29.7 22.3 31.6 16.4 20.0 18.1 28.2 33.6 32.6 25.0 Ruffed grouse 22.7 20.8 20.2 23.1 23.0 26.3 27.7 30.1 24.1 23.8 Coyote 17.9 16.8 15.6 11.3 15.4 6.7 9.1 14.1 11.7 11.2 Fox 15.7 15.8 15.2 6.2 11.7 5.9 5.5 3.4 9.8 8.7 Waterfowl 16.6 14.0 4.7 5.3 6.3 3.3 10.0 9.2 10.8 8.6 Snowshoe hare 12.4 1.0 4.5 4.6 9.7 5.7 4.2 12.3 17.1 8.2 Raccoon 15.4 14.4 14.7 4.7 7.2 5.9 9.9 4.3 9.0 8.0 Crow 14.1 1.8 10.7 8.5 9.9 4.8 8.7 8.3 8.9 7.5 Woodchuck 15.0 1.0 6.7 6.0 10.7 6.3 9.1 5.9 17.1 7.1 Elk 13.0 1.1 4.9 4.8 8.7 4.4 17.8 4.3 4.6 4.9 Bobcat 13.1 0.0 6.9 2.2 3.1 3.1 2.6 7.3 0.0 2.7 Small game 3.2 1.3 3.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.8 2.0 0.0 0.9 Dove 2.1 1.4 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 Other 0.9 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 Don't know 1.8 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4
450 Responsive Management
72. Which species have you hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg White-tailed deer 92.9 95.1 99.0 89.9 94.2 90.8 64.4 90.2 Turkey 42.8 29.1 31.9 42.2 40.6 32.5 31.1 43.5 Squirrel 37.4 36.4 12.4 29.5 21.5 31.0 54.4 32.4 Black bear 26.8 21.4 13.6 22.5 30.7 20.4 13.8 25.7 Pheasant 15.7 16.8 28.7 19.2 13.2 28.7 58.0 25.9 Cottontail rabbit 24.4 25.1 17.5 24.9 21.8 28.7 25.8 25.0 Ruffed grouse 14.3 10.9 23.2 20.6 13.2 26.1 54.9 23.8 Coyote 13.9 5.2 12.1 4.1 7.0 11.9 6.3 11.2 Fox 18.3 10.6 2.7 1.6 5.0 8.3 3.4 8.7 Waterfowl 5.4 7.5 12.1 1.1 4.7 17.3 8.9 8.6 Snowshoe hare 8.0 3.3 0.0 9.7 1.3 5.0 33.2 8.2 Raccoon 11.6 4.0 2.0 0.0 2.0 2.7 19.9 8.0 Crow 4.9 1.7 8.2 8.6 2.0 0.0 19.0 7.5 Woodchuck 4.0 2.4 3.0 2.0 2.7 15.3 5.6 7.1 Elk 6.3 0.9 0.7 0.0 0.0 1.6 5.8 4.9 Bobcat 3.1 0.0 0.7 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.7 Small game 2.7 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 Dove 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 Other 0.4 0.8 0.7 2.8 0.0 6.9 0.0 1.0 Don't know 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 451
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA The sample was weighted according to gender and age; therefore, these graphs are not shown
(they would simply reflect their proportions as weighted, which matches the state population). However, a crosstabulation is shown of the age question by whether the respondent had hunted or not.
White/Caucasian predominates as the ethnicity of Pennsylvania residents (88%), with
black/African-American accounting for 4% of residents. • Regional crosstabulations are shown as well.
Just under a third of Pennsylvania residents consider their place of residence to be rural
(30%); on the other end of the continuum, 44% consider their place of residence to be in a large city/urban area or a suburban area. • Regional crosstabulations are shown as well.
Educational attainment of residents is shown: 60% have taken some college or trade school
coursework, with or without a degree; 35% have a Bachelor’s degree, with or without a higher degree. • Regional crosstabulations are shown as well.
Occupations of Pennsylvania residents are shown. • Regional crosstabulations are shown as well.
Household incomes are shown, in general following a bell curve with the peak in the $40,000
to $59,999 category. • Regional crosstabulations are shown as well.
The nonparametric (z-score) tabulations are shown following the graphs for each
demographic question. No gender graph is shown, so the nonparametric tabulations for gender precede the graphs for all other demographic questions. Additionally, nonparametric tabulations for region of residency are included here as well.
452 Responsive Management
Is male. Significance
Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.01 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.01
Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.05
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.05
Is female. Significance Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.01
Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.05
Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 453
Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. Significance
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.05
Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.05
Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.05
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.05
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.05 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.05 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.05 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.05
Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. Significance Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.01
Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.01
Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.05 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.05
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.05
454 Responsive Management
Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. Significance
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.01
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.01
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 455
Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. Significance
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.001
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.05
Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.05 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.05 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.05
Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. Significance Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.01
Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.01
456 Responsive Management
Q89. Respondent's age.
17
16
18
24
11
10
411
5
11
19
20
15
19
0 20 40 60 80 100
65 years oldor older
55-64 yearsold
45-54 yearsold
35-44 yearsold
25-34 yearsold
18-24 yearsold
Refused
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 457
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) Significance
Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.001
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.01 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.05 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.05
Is male. p < 0.05
458 Responsive Management
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) Significance
Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.01
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.01
Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.05 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.05 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.05 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.05 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.05
Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) Significance Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is female. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 459
Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) Significance
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Is male. p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.01
Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.01 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.05 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.05
Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05
460 Responsive Management
Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) Significance
Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is female. p < 0.01 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.05 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.05
Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.05 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 461
Q87. What races or ethnic background do you consider yourself?
(Statewide)
1
1
4
7
88
0 20 40 60 80 100
White orCaucasian
Refused
Black or African-American
Native Americanor Alaskan native
or Aleutian
Hispanic orLatino
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=4411)
462 Responsive Management
Q87. What races or ethnic background do you consider yourself?
(Statewide)
0
0
2
92
2
5
1
0
1
94
4
0
0
0
1
0
3
95
1
1
1
93
4
1
0
1
0
5
10
83
0 20 40 60 80 100
White orCaucasian
Refused
Black orAfrican-
American
NativeAmerican or
Alaskannative orAleutian
Hispanic orLatino
Don't know
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 463
Q87. What races or ethnic background do you consider yourself? Please name all that you think
apply.(Western Region)
2
3
5
92
0 20 40 60 80 100
White orCaucasian
Black or African-American
Native Americanor Alaskannative orAleutian
Refused
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
464 Responsive Management
Q87. What races or ethnic background do you consider yourself? Please name all that you think
apply.(North Central Region)
97
0
0
0
3
2
0
97
1
0
3
0
3
96
1
5
1
1
1
92
0 20 40 60 80 100
White orCaucasian
Native Americanor Alaskannative orAleutian
Black or African-American
Don't know
Refused
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 465
Q87. What races or ethnic background do you consider yourself?
(South Central Region)
1
0
0
2
3
96
0
1
1
95
2
1
0
0
0
95
4
1
0
0
1
96
3
2
0
0
1
0
8
91
0 20 40 60 80 100
White orCaucasian
Refused
Native Americanor Alaskan native
or Aleutian
Black or African-American
Don't know
Other
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
466 Responsive Management
Q87. What races or ethnic background do you consider yourself? Please name all that you think
apply.(Northeastern Region)
93
2
1
1
0
44
1
0
94
0
2
4
0
1
2
93
1
3
1
0
0
2
94
5
0
0
0
0
94
0 20 40 60 80 100
White orCaucasian
Hispanic orLatino
Native Americanor Alaskannative orAleutian
Black or African-American
Don't know
Refused
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 467
Q87. What races or ethnic background do you consider yourself?
(Southeastern Region)
1
5
10
83
0 20 40 60 80 100
White orCaucasian
Refused
Black or African-American
Hispanic orLatino
Mul
tiple
Res
pons
es A
llow
ed
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D
468 Responsive Management
87. What races or ethnic background do you consider yourself? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg White or Caucasian 95.8 94.9 94.9 96.7 97.1 96.2 93.1 93.6 92.9 93.6
Black or African-American 0.3 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.0 0.0 1.0 1.0
Native American or Alaskan native or Aleutian
1.8 1.2 0.6 0.3 0.9 3.4 0.6 2.0 0.9 1.1
Hispanic or Latino 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 0.0 1.5 0.4 East Asian 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 Native Hawaiian 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Middle Eastern 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 South Asian 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 African 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Other 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Don't know 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.5 0.6 0.0 0.9 0.2 0.4 Refused 2.8 2.4 4.3 3.0 2.2 2.8 3.8 4.5 4.4 4.2
87. What races or ethnic background do you consider yourself? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg White or Caucasian 96.5 90.7 93.8 92.1 94.1 83.1 91.6 93.6 Black or African-American 0.6 1.0 0.1 0.8 0.0 5.3 4.9 1.0
Native American or Alaskan native or Aleutian
1.6 0.5 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.2 2.5 1.1
Hispanic or Latino 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.4 East Asian 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 Native Hawaiian 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Middle Eastern 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 South Asian 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 African 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 Other 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Don't know 0.2 0.2 1.1 0.9 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.4 Refused 2.8 7.8 3.5 5.5 5.4 10.2 2.0 4.2
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 469
Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. Significance
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Is female. p < 0.001 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.01
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.05
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.05 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.05
Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. Significance Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Is male. p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.01
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.05
Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.05 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.05 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.05
470 Responsive Management
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a
suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
(Statewide)
2
24
6
25
32
12
0 20 40 60 80 100
Large city orurban area
Suburban area
Small city ortown
Rural area on afarm
Rural area noton a farm
Refused
Percent (n=4411)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 471
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a
suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
1
35
9
27
22
6
2
22
5
14
34
24
0 20 40 60 80 100
Large city orurban area
Suburbanarea
Small city ortown
Rural area ona farm
Rural area noton a farm
Refused
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
Although hunters tend to be rural, there are some living in more urban environments.
472 Responsive Management
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a
suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
(Statewide)
1
23
4
16
34
21
0
41
7
4
7
40
0
38
10
34
12
4
1
35
6
7
9
41
3
16
5
17
44
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
Large city orurban area
Suburbanarea
Small city ortown
Rural area ona farm
Rural areanot on a farm
Refused
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 473
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a
suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
(Western Region)
16
34
22
4
24
0 20 40 60 80 100
Large city orurban area
Suburban area
Small city or town
Rural area on afarm
Rural area not ona farm
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
474 Responsive Management
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a
suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
(North Central Region)
3
9
44
7
38
00
44
8
5
8
36
1
38
45
1
2
13
1
40
5
42
8
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Large city orurban area
Suburban area
Small city or town
Rural area on afarm
Rural area not ona farm
Refused
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 475
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a
suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
(South Central Region)
0
37
9
30
17
6
10
0
41
10
4
8
36
0
0
37
9
2
4
48
0
0
42
19
2
2
35
1
1
40
8
31
14
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Large city orurban area
Suburban area
Small city ortown
Rural area on afarm
Rural area noton a farm
Don't know
Refused
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
476 Responsive Management
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a
suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
(Northeastern Region)
0
16
12
52
4
16
1
1
1
27
9
6
13
42
1
0
59
28
6
3
3
0
0
30
10
42
10
7
2
0
34
7
48
6
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Large city orurban area
Suburban area
Small city ortown
Rural area on afarm
Rural area noton a farm
Don't know
Refused
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 477
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a
suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
(Southeastern Region)
3
16
5
17
44
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
Large city orurban area
Suburban area
Small city ortown
Rural area on afarm
Rural area noton a farm
Refused
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
478 Responsive Management
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town,
a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
5 2
16
6 3 2 4 7 4 3
15 16
6 4 2 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who consider their primary residence to be a large city or urban area
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town,
a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
81
12 136
2
1410 8 6
44
34
17
84
9
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who consider their primary residence to be a suburban area
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 479
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town,
a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
36
4552
42
2835 31
42 4248
1721
3036
4844
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who consider their primary residence to be a small city or town
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town,
a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
813
49
3
19
8 105 7 5 4
9 10 9 7
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who consider their primary residence to be a rural area on a farm
480 Responsive Management
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town,
a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
4438
16
27
59
42 40
30
4034
1623
3741
37 38
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who consider their primary residence to be a rural area not on a farm
Q77. Do you consider your primary place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town,
a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm?
0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 00
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know if they consider their primary residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm, or a rural area not on a farm
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 481
Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) Significance
Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.001 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Is female. p < 0.001 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.05 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.05
Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.05
482 Responsive Management
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) Significance
Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Is male. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.01 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her community but not in his/her neighborhood. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 483
Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) Significance
Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.001 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.01 Is female. p < 0.01 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.05
Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05
484 Responsive Management
Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) Significance
Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.01
Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair or poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.01
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.01 Is male. p < 0.01
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 485
Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) Significance
Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Ethnic background does not include white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.001 Has not personally had any problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.01
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.05
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05
Lives on a farm. (Split #3) Significance Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.01
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.05
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.05
486 Responsive Management
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
(Statewide)
13
22
9
15
33
5
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Less than a highschool graduate
High schoolgraduate or GED
Some college ortrade school, no
degree
Associate ortrade school
degree
Bachelor's orfour-year degree
Graduate orprofessional
degree
Refused
Percent (n=44117)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 487
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
9
15
11
12
45
6
12
14
24
9
5
30
16
0 20 40 60 80 100
Less than ahigh schoolgraduate
High schoolgraduate or
GED
Some collegeor trade
school, nodegree
Associate ortrade school
degree
Bachelor's orfour-yeardegree
Graduate orprofessional
degree
Refused
Percent
HuntersNon-hunters
Although hunters tend to be less educated than non-hunters, there are substantial numbers of hunters who are highly educated.
488 Responsive Management
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
(Statewide)
1
0
14
19
8
4
37
17
1
1
9
19
9
6
41
15
9
16
11
15
40
8
0
11
0
8
16
9
5
42
19
3
0
16
26
9
14
26
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Less than a high schoolgraduate
High school graduate orGED
Some college or tradeschool, no degree
Associate or trade schooldegree
Bachelor's or four-yeardegree
Graduate or professionaldegree
Don't know
Refused
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 489
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?(Western Region)
1
4
36
17
8
19
14
0 20 40 60 80 100
Less than a highschool graduate
High schoolgraduate or GED
Some college ortrade school, no
degree
Associate ortrade school
degree
Bachelor's orfour-year degree
Graduate orprofessional
degree
Refused
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
490 Responsive Management
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
(North Central Region)
1
0
6
44
20
11
12
5
0
1
5
21
5
5
49
14
2
1
7
13
19
44
7
8
1
1
12
21
12
14
34
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Less than a highschool graduate
High schoolgraduate or GED
Some college ortrade school, no
degree
Associate ortrade school
degree
Bachelor's orfour-year degree
Graduate orprofessional
degree
Don't know
Refused
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 491
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
(South Central Region)
11
15
13
16
37
7
0
11
1
7
20
7
5
44
14
0
0
4
14
14
10
48
10
2
0
6
12
9
14
38
18
3
0
6
20
10
14
38
9
0 20 40 60 80 100
Less than ahigh schoolgraduate
High schoolgraduate or
GED
Some college ortrade school, no
degree
Associate ortrade school
degree
Bachelor's orfour-yeardegree
Graduate orprofessional
degree
Don't know
Refused
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
492 Responsive Management
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
(Northeastern Region)
1
0
3
42
20
9
15
9
1
1
13
21
7
4
34
19
1
0
10
19
14
42
5
9
1
0
5
14
10
23
42
6
2
0
6
13
10
17
47
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Less than a highschool graduate
High schoolgraduate or GED
Some college ortrade school, no
degree
Associate ortrade school
degree
Bachelor's orfour-year degree
Graduate orprofessional
degree
Don't know
Refused
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 493
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
(Southeastern Region)
16
26
9
14
26
5
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Less than a highschool graduate
High schoolgraduate or GED
Some college ortrade school, no
degree
Associate or tradeschool degree
Bachelor's or four-year degree
Graduate orprofessional degree
Refused
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
494 Responsive Management
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
5 73 4 5
159 6 6 5 5 47 5
10 6
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who did not finish high school
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
4944 42
3442
37 38 4234
47
26
373744
4844
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who completed high school or their GED
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 495
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
1419 20 19
1419
14
23
1417
14 1716 1410
20
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who completed some college or trade school but did not receive a degree
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
5 8 9 7 9 9 10 10 12 10 9 813
714
11
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who received an associate or trade school degree
496 Responsive Management
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
2113 15
21 1912
2014
2113
2619
1520
14 12
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who did received a bachelor's or four year degree
Q80. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
5 7 913 10
6 6 512
6
16 14117 4 5
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who received a graduate or professional degree
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 497
Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) Significance
Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Knows a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.01 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.05
Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.05
Is female. p < 0.05 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05
498 Responsive Management
Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) Significance
Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is between ages 18-34. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.001 Does not indicate being very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Does not indicate knowing a great deal about black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Is male. p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 499
Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) Significance
Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.01 Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should decrease. p < 0.01 Has personally had problems or property damage at his/her primary home caused by black bears within the past 2 years.
p < 0.05
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her township or city but not in his/her community.
p < 0.05
Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.05
Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
Significance
Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.001 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should remain the same.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.001
500 Responsive Management
Education level is no higher than Bachelor's degree. (Split #3) Significance
Education level is no higher than Associate’s or trade school degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level is no higher than high school diploma or GED. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives in small city or town, or rural area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Lives in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Lives on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Believes the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent or good job managing Pennsylvania's black bears.
p < 0.001
Thinks the black bear population in the county where he/she lives should increase. p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her neighborhood but not in his/her yard. p < 0.001 Has hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.001 Does not indicate agreeing that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.001
Lives in the South Central Region - medium bear density region. p < 0.001 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.01 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.01
Supports legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania. p < 0.01 Is very interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears. p < 0.01 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her yard. p < 0.01 Lives in the North Central Region - high bear density region. p < 0.05 Is the mean age of 48 or older. (Split #2) p < 0.05
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 501
Education level includes a post-graduate degree. (Split #3) Significance
Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Education level includes some college or trade school, with or without a degree. (Split #2)
p < 0.001
Lives in large city or urban area, or suburban area. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Does not live in a rural area. (Split #2) p < 0.001 Does not live on a farm. (Split #3) p < 0.001 Lives in the Southeastern Region - low bear density region. p < 0.001 Wants to see and have black bears in his/her county but not in his/her township or city. p < 0.001 Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that has attempted to enter or has actually entered homes or buildings.
p < 0.001
Supports having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or campground.
p < 0.001
Has not hunted in Pennsylvania in the past 2 years. p < 0.001 Is between ages 35-64. (Split #1) p < 0.001 Ethnic background is or includes white or Caucasian. p < 0.001 Agrees that black bear populations should be managed to control their population size in Pennsylvania.
p < 0.01
Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing property damage in a residential area or campground.
p < 0.01
Is below the mean age of 48. (Split #2) p < 0.05 Supports having the Game Commission capture and relocate a bear that is causing agricultural damage.
p < 0.05
502 Responsive Management
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Statewide)
1
1
2
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
8
8
11
12
12
23
7
7
7
0 20 40 60 80 100
Retired
Education
Medical / wellness
Office / consulting / data analysis
Retail / wholesale sales
Homemaker
Construction / carpentry / plumbing / electrical/ craftsman
Government services
Restaurant / hotel / tourism / entertainment
Manufacturing / factory / industry
Finance / insurance / real estate
Mechanical / machine servicing
Unemployed
Computer / technical / electronics
Other
Self-employed
Refused
Disabled
Transportation / shipping
Landscaping
Don't know
Military
Percent (n=4411)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 503
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Statewide)
(Part 1.)
7
7
7
10
22
18
10
14
5
7
8
22
12
13
9
13
9
15
10
23
1015
7
14
8
24
9
12
4
9
6
13
12
11
23
0 20 40 60 80 100
Retired
Education
Medical /wellness
Office /consulting / data
analysis
Retail /wholesale sales
Homemaker
Construction /carpentry /plumbing /electrical /craftsman
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
504 Responsive Management
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Statewide)
(Part 2.)
2
7
3
4
5
19
8
5
8
5
3
8
4
7
6
4
4
11
4
5
24
10
6
5
7
3
7
6
2
6
7
4
4
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Governmentservices
Restaurant /hotel / tourism /entertainment
Manufacturing /factory / industry
Finance /insurance / real
estate
Mechanical /machineservicing
Unemployed
Computer /technical /electronics
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 505
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Statewide)
(Part 3.)
1
0
1
1
3
2
2
1
4
1
2
3
4
3
2
2
1
4
3
1
2
4
1
20
1
2
3
3
2
3
1
0
2
2
4
3
5
5
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Other
Self-employed
Don't know /Refused
Disabled
Transportation /shipping
Landscaping
Refused
Military
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
506 Responsive Management
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Western Region)
1
1
1
2
5
5
6
20
12
11
7
7
6
4
3
3
3
2
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Retired
Restaurant / hotel / tourism /entertainment
Education
Homemaker
Unemployed
Office / consulting / data analysis
Medical / wellness
Manufacturing / factory / industry
Retail / wholesale sales
Construction / carpentry / plumbing /electrical / craftsman
Government services
Disabled
Finance / insurance / real estate
Mechanical / machine servicing
Computer / technical / electronics
Self-employed
Other
Transportation / shipping
Don't know / Refused
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 507
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(North Central Region)
(Part 1.)
2
3
3
14
9
7
4
4
3
2
13
6
5
3
1
4
9
3
8
11
5
2
3
5
6
2
2
4
6
8
6
0
1
5
5
5
3
2
7
1
3
6
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Medical / wellness
Construction / carpentry / plumbing/ electrical / craftsman
Manufacturing / factory / industry
Finance / insurance / real estate
Education
Mechanical / machine servicing
Restaurant / hotel / tourism /entertainment
Retail / wholesale sales
Office / consulting / data analysis
Government services
Transportation / shipping
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
508 Responsive Management
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(North Central Region)
(Part 2.)
25
5
7
1
1
0
0
1
5
42
23
3
5
4
3
0
0
1
0
2
26
6
6
9
2
2
2
1
0
3
21
3
5
11
1
4
2
5
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Self-employed
Computer / technical / electronics
Landscaping
Military
Other
Unemployed
Homemaker
Disabled
Retired
Don't know / Refused
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 509
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Part 1.)
(South Central Region)
18
14
7
9
15
23
714
11
8
13
23
13
8
11
4
9
11
23
19
16
6
5
9
9
24
14
11
4
5
9
16
12
8
22
0 20 40 60 80 100
Retired
Medical / wellness
Construction /carpentry /plumbing /electrical /craftsman
Education
Manufacturing /factory / industry
Retail / wholesalesales
Homemaker
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
510 Responsive Management
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Part 2.)
(South Central Region)
2
5
4
5
4
9
27
4
3
4
9
7
5
5
10
4
5
3
5
7
3
4
5
7
11
9
10
4
5
8
6
2
8
8
0 20 40 60 80 100
Office / consulting /data analysis
Governmentservices
Unemployed
Mechanical /machine servicing
Other
Transportation /shipping
Finance / insurance/ real estate
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 511
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Part 3.)
(South Central Region)
1
1
1
2
4
5
1
11
1
3
7
2
1
2
2
1
2
0
0
2
5
3
3
0
1
2
1
3
4
3
4
1
3
3
1
3
2
1
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Restaurant / hotel /tourism /
entertainment
Disabled
Self-employed
Computer /technical /electronics
Military
Landscaping
Don't know
Refused
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
512 Responsive Management
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Part 1.)
(Northeastern Region)
3
3
3
7
7
6
5
5
3
2
23
5
3
1
8
1
7
3
3
7
7
0
1
5
2
3
2
3
10
5
11
3
2
4
3
2
4
4
5
4
8
7
7
2
3
6
1
3
5
8
4
6
6
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Retail / wholesale sales
Medical / wellness
Construction / carpentry / plumbing /electrical / craftsman
Office / consulting / data analysis
Education
Mechanical / machine servicing
Manufacturing / factory / industry
Computer / technical / electronics
Government services
Finance / insurance / real estate
Restaurant / hotel / tourism /entertainment
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 513
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Part 2.)
(Northeastern Region)
25
3
7
1
1
1
0
1
11
32
24
7
8
4
2
0
0
2
3
5
22
3
11
9
2
3
0
2
0
1
26
2
5
11
1
1
0
2
1
4
26
3
6
12
1
0
0
3
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Landscaping
Transportation /shipping
Self-employed
Military
Other
Unemployed
Homemaker
Disabled
Retired
Don't know /Refused
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
514 Responsive Management
Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Southeastern Region)
2
2
3
4
4
4
4
5
6
6
8
9
11
12
13
23
7
6
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Retired
Office / consulting / data analysis
Medical / wellness
Education
Homemaker
Government services
Finance / insurance / real estate
Computer / technical / electronics
Retail / wholesale sales
Other
Mechanical / machine servicing
Self-employed
Construction / carpentry / plumbing /electrical / craftsman
Manufacturing / factory / industry
Restaurant / hotel / tourism / entertainment
Transportation / shipping
Disabled
Unemployed
Landscaping
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 515
83. What is your occupation? 2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D Avg Medical / wellness 14.8 13.1 19.0 25.5 11.9 11.3 12.8 12.8 9.4 13.0
Construction / carpentry / plumbing / electrical / craftsman
9.1 8.0 16.4 16.1 18.2 14.9 11.5 13.0 20.4 12.4
Education 7.4 13.3 10.7 6.5 14.0 7.1 9.9 13.0 5.2 11.2 Retail / wholesale sales 17.8 10.5 4.4 4.8 4.9 11.3 13.7 4.6 20.6 9.0
Manufacturing / factory / industry
13.8 8.4 9.1 12.4 8.0 11.2 6.5 14.5 5.7 8.6
Office / consulting / data analysis
9.4 8.8 2.5 3.8 8.5 9.2 10.6 6.3 6.7 8.4
Government services 3.6 7.1 4.7 3.5 9.9 5.4 5.3 4.8 9.5 6.9
Mechanical / machine servicing
4.1 3.8 5.4 6.2 7.1 4.6 6.6 1.9 4.2 5.4
Finance / insurance / real estate
2.2 6.5 4.8 7.2 4.5 0.9 4.6 9.2 2.5 4.7
Restaurant / hotel / tourism / entertainment
5.5 0.8 4.8 5.5 1.3 3.7 3.8 4.8 0.0 4.5
Transportation / shipping 1.9 3.6 9.9 2.1 4.5 4.0 2.3 2.7 0.6 3.5
Computer / technical / electronics
1.2 2.2 1.6 1.1 2.1 4.6 5.4 2.3 3.1 3.3
Self-employed 2.0 1.6 2.5 1.6 0.3 2.2 2.1 5.4 5.1 2.4 Landscaping 1.0 2.9 0.0 0.4 0.0 3.9 2.9 0.4 3.8 1.8 Military 1.3 6.7 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.3 Other 4.9 2.6 4.1 2.5 4.3 4.7 2.0 4.0 3.3 3.7 Don't know / Refused 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
516 Responsive Management
83. What is your occupation? 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE Avg Medical / wellness 13.9 8.4 12.7 10.2 11.2 11.9 9.8 13.0 Construction / carpentry / plumbing / electrical / craftsman
11.3 11.7 13.9 10.7 11.4 4.2 7.1 12.4
Education 9.5 15.5 9.1 12.1 16.1 11.5 17.7 11.2 Retail / wholesale sales 5.1 5.3 13.2 9.0 4.9 6.4 7.5 9.0
Manufacturing / factory / industry 8.9 8.6 7.3 5.5 5.6 4.1 8.4 8.6
Office / consulting / data analysis 11.4 8.3 7.8 9.1 8.4 13.2 9.7 8.4
Government services 8.8 7.8 5.9 8.3 11.3 8.5 5.2 6.9
Mechanical / machine servicing 7.1 5.6 6.5 3.7 10.5 5.6 2.8 5.4
Finance / insurance / real estate 2.6 4.2 6.7 1.8 6.2 7.1 4.4 4.7
Restaurant / hotel / tourism / entertainment
3.9 2.7 3.3 5.7 3.8 3.8 19.1 4.5
Transportation / shipping 3.6 5.4 4.1 1.5 5.3 3.7 0.9 3.5
Computer / technical / electronics
3.1 2.5 3.6 8.4 2.4 6.5 2.4 3.3
Self-employed 3.5 1.8 0.6 2.2 0.7 5.0 2.0 2.4 Landscaping 2.2 3.0 2.2 2.7 0.9 2.0 0.6 1.8 Military 0.6 1.1 1.3 6.9 0.0 0.5 0.8 1.3 Other 4.6 8.1 2.0 2.3 1.4 6.1 1.7 3.7 Don't know / Refused 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 517
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
(Statewide)
4
8
10
14
13
7
9
6
30
0 20 40 60 80 100
Under $20,000
$20,000-$39,999
$40,000-$59,999
$60,000-$79,999
$80,000-$99,999
$100,000-$119,999
$120,000 ormore
Don't know
Refused
Percent (n=4411)
518 Responsive Management
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
(Statewide)
24
11
5
6
6
9
7
15
18
26
6
4
2
4
12
11
18
18
3
6
14
16
20
11
4
4
2128
5
4
4
6
12
11
14
16
35
5
13
4
10
8
11
9
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Under$20,000
$20,000-$39,999
$40,000-$59,999
$60,000-$79,999
$80,000-$99,999
$100,000-$119,999
$120,000 ormore
Don't know
Refused
Percent
Western (n=281)North Central (n=1103)South Central (n=1361)Northeastern (n=1378)Southeastern (n=288)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 519
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
(Western Region)
24
11
5
7
14
18
9
6
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Under $20,000
$20,000-$39,999
$40,000-$59,999
$60,000-$79,999
$80,000-$99,999
$100,000-$119,999
$120,000 or more
Don't know
Refused
Percent (n=281)
WMU 1A,1B, 2A, and 2B
520 Responsive Management
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
(North Central Region)
18
14
2
11
18
14
11
8
3
27
4
2
2
4
11
12
14
23
30
7
3
2
4
17
16
8
12
26
5
5
2
3
12
16
20
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
Under $20,000
$20,000-$39,999
$40,000-$59,999
$60,000-$79,999
$80,000-$99,999
$100,000-$119,999
$120,000 ormore
Don't know
Refused
Percent
WMU 2F (n=280)WMU 2G (n=274)WMU 3A (n=271)WMU 4D (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 521
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
(South Central Region)
2
6
14
16
24
12
3
3
2017
6
6
4
8
15
8
17
18
32
5
1
2
5
14
15
15
11
31
4
5
4
2
14
9
16
16
21
4
5
5
8
14
20
18
6
0 20 40 60 80 100
Under $20,000
$20,000-$39,999
$40,000-$59,999
$60,000-$79,999
$80,000-$99,999
$100,000-$119,999
$120,000 ormore
Don't know
Refused
Percent
WMU 2C (n=273)WMU 2D (n=271)WMU 2E (n=275)WMU 4A (n=272)WMU 4B (n=270)
522 Responsive Management
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
(Northeastern Region)
32
6
4
15
14
10
9
5
5
32
3
2
3
5
13
11
17
14
25
6
3
3
7
19
13
7
17
25
2
6
3
8
10
18
14
14
29
11
3
3
4
11
14
16
10
0 20 40 60 80 100
Under $20,000
$20,000-$39,999
$40,000-$59,999
$60,000-$79,999
$80,000-$99,999
$100,000-$119,999
$120,000 or more
Don't know
Refused
Percent
WMU 3B (n=272)WMU 3C (n=273)WMU 3D (n=276)WMU 4C (n=279)WMU 4E (n=278)
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 523
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
(Southeastern Region)
4
10
8
11
9
5
13
5
35
0 20 40 60 80 100
Under $20,000
$20,000-$39,999
$40,000-$59,999
$60,000-$79,999
$80,000-$99,999
$100,000-$119,999
$120,000 or more
Don't know
Refused
Percent (n=288)
WMU 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D
524 Responsive Management
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
128
1511
7 9 614 11 10
5 712
815
11
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as under $20,000
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
14 16 14 1713 15 18
1420
169
15
2417 15
18
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as $20,000-$39,999
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 525
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
2317
1014
1915
20 18 16 14 111816 18
11 14
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as $40,000-$59,999
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
11 129
1317 14 14
10 12 11 8 914 15 14 11
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as $60,000-$79,999
526 Responsive Management
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
4 4 5 5 72
8 83 4
1066 8 5 8
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as $80,000-$99,999
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
2 2 5 3 3 4 5 3 2 3 4 62 4 2 3
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as $100,000-$119,999
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 527
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
2 3 4 2 3 5 5 6 5 3
13
53 61 2
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as more than $120,000
Q81. Which of these categories best describes your total household income before taxes last year?
3237 38 35
3135
25 2731
39 3935
23 23
3732
0
20
40
60
80
100
2C 2D 2E 2F 2G 3A 3B 3C 3D 4A 4B 4C 4D 4E SE WE
Percent who don't know or refused to describe their total household income before taxes last year
528 Responsive Management
ABOUT RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT Responsive Management is a nationally recognized public opinion and attitude survey research
firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. Its mission is to help natural
resource and outdoor recreation agencies and organizations better understand and work with their
constituents, customers, and the public.
Utilizing its in-house, full-service, computer-assisted telephone and mail survey center with 45
professional interviewers, Responsive Management has conducted more than 1,000 telephone
surveys, mail surveys, personal interviews, and focus groups, as well as numerous marketing and
communications plans, need assessments, and program evaluations on natural resource and
outdoor recreation issues.
Clients include most of the federal and state natural resource, outdoor recreation, and
environmental agencies, and most of the top conservation organizations. Responsive
Management also collects attitude and opinion data for many of the nation’s top universities,
including the University of Southern California, Virginia Tech, Colorado State University,
Auburn, Texas Tech, the University of California—Davis, Michigan State University, the
University of Florida, North Carolina State University, Penn State, West Virginia University, and
others.
Among the wide range of work Responsive Management has completed during the past 20 years
are studies on how the general population values natural resources and outdoor recreation, and
their opinions on and attitudes toward an array of natural resource-related issues. Responsive
Management has conducted dozens of studies of selected groups of outdoor recreationists,
including anglers, boaters, hunters, wildlife watchers, birdwatchers, park visitors, historic site
visitors, hikers, and campers, as well as selected groups within the general population, such as
landowners, farmers, urban and rural residents, women, senior citizens, children, Hispanics,
Asians, and African-Americans. Responsive Management has conducted studies on
environmental education, endangered species, waterfowl, wetlands, water quality, and the
reintroduction of numerous species such as wolves, grizzly bears, the California condor, and the
Florida panther.
Pennsylvania Residents’ Opinions on and Attitudes Toward Black Bears 529
Responsive Management has conducted research on numerous natural resource ballot initiatives
and referenda and helped agencies and organizations find alternative funding and increase their
memberships and donations. Responsive Management has conducted major agency and
organizational program needs assessments and helped develop more effective programs based
upon a solid foundation of fact. Responsive Management has developed websites for natural
resource organizations, conducted training workshops on the human dimensions of natural
resources, and presented numerous studies each year in presentations and as keynote speakers at
major natural resource, outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental conferences and
meetings.
Responsive Management has conducted research on public attitudes toward natural resources
and outdoor recreation in almost every state in the United States, as well as in Canada, Australia,
the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. Responsive Management routinely conducts
surveys in Spanish and has also conducted surveys and focus groups in Chinese, Korean,
Japanese, and Vietnamese.
Responsive Management’s research has been featured in most of the nation’s major media,
including CNN, ESPN, The Washington Times, The New York Times, Newsweek, The Wall Street
Journal, and on the front pages of The Washington Post and USA Today.
Visit the Responsive Management website at:
www.responsivemanagement.com