The Human Dimensions of Moose Management in Maine

[Mark Damian Duda]

Responsive Management recently worked with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on a major study to examine attitudes toward moose management in Maine. Initiated by a recommendation from the Maine Legislature and a designated stakeholder committee, the research was conducted to assess levels of satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the moose season structure and timing, the extent of conflicts between user groups (for instance, between hunters and wildlife viewers seeking moose), and support for or opposition to various potential changes to the moose season under consideration. Because of the range of opinions and diversity of perspectives on moose management in Maine, Responsive Management designed the study to include both rigorous probability-based random sampling as well as a mechanism to allow qualitative feedback from anyone wishing to contribute input on the topic. Click here to learn more about the study design and major findings from the research.