PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS’ OPINIONS ON AND ATTITUDES …...bears gave this reason for supporting...

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


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


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.


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.)


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.


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)


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;


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


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


hunting ofblack bears inPennsylvaniaamong males


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).


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.


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)


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


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)


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)


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)


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


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



3340

2331 30

26 27 26 2631

23 21

31 31 3327

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated knowing a moderate amount



4338

48 45 45

59

50 4955

46 445251

48 4856

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated knowing a little



13 12

2519 17

1119 21

15 17

3126

15 1714 12

0

20

40

60

80

100


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.


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)


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,


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,


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.



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.


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.


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)



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.



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




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)




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




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




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




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)



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


Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase


decrease?

5650

5862

66

57 5765

5864

5763

54616060

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that the black bear population should stay the same



decrease?

23 26

12 10 1216

10 9 11 10 12 1511 11 12 15

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease


decrease?

9 8

1814

5 813 10

1411

20

129 10 1016

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know what should happen to the black bear population


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


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


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


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)




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 alittle

Don't know

Percent





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)





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 a little

Don't know

Percent





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 a little

Don't know

Percent





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 a little

Don't know

Percent





their county to increase.)(Southeastern Region)

33

42

25

0 20 40 60 80 100

Increase a lot


Increase a little

Percent (n=30)



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


Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a lot



3835

55 5764

43 41

62

51

61

42

62

43

58

48 47

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a moderate




25

38

28 28

16

35 34

21

37

24

33

2326

3631

20

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a little



0 27 6

0 3 0 1 2 1 0 00 0 03

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know how much the black bear population should increase


Q11. Would you like to see the black bear population in the county where you live decrease a


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)




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 a little

Don't know

Percent





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)





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 a little

Don't know

Percent





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 a little

Don't know

Percent





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 a little

Don't know

Percent





their county to decrease.)(Southeastern Region)

10

26

4

59

0 20 40 60 80 100

Decrease a lot


Decrease a little

Don't know

Percent (n=33)



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


Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a lot



32

4941

29

56

29

38 36 35 36

4

21

39

2419

35

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a moderate amount




33

23

45

32

13

54

21

37 39 38

26 27

3935

53

34

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a little



0 1 04

0 0 0 0 03

1045 7

03

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know how much the black bear population should decrease


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)


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)


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


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.)


4 4 1 1 3 4 5 2 2 2 3 26

1 4 4

0

20

40

60

80

100


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




Percent who indicated that the black bear population should increase a moderate amount


3 6 3 4 37 7

3 6 4 4 25 7 5 3

0

20

40

60

80

100




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




Percent who don't know how much the black bear population should increase


5650

5863 66

57 57

6558

6458

6461 60 6155

0

20

40

60

80

100




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




Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a little


713

5 37 5 4 3 4 4

0 34 3 2 5

0

20

40

60

80

100




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




Percent who indicated that the black bear population should decrease a lot


9 8

1814

5 813 10

1411

20

129 10 10

16

0

20

40

60

80

100




Percent who don't know whether the black bear population should increase, remain the same, or decrease


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.


community but not inmy neighborhood.


township or city but notin my community.


county but not in mytownship or city.

I feel uncomfortableabout having blackbears even in my

county.

Percent (n=4411)



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...



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



neighborhood but not inmy yard.


community but not in myneighborhood.



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.



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


yard.






township or city butnot in my community.




county.

Percent




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.


my neighborhood butnot in my yard.


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.


county.

Percent (n=281)




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




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


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.





county.

Percent




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


my yard.


my neighborhood butnot in my yard.


my community but notin my neighborhood.





county.

Percent




your primary home and in your area?(Southeastern Region)

26

45

8

5

4

11

0 20 40 60 80 100











county.

Percent (n=288)



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


Percent who want to see and have black bears in their yard


your area?

1218

611 10

1711 10 12 11

4 714 12

19 19

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who want to see and have black bears in their neighborhood but not in their yard



your area?

1610

14 12 14 12 12 1014

105 68

11 11 10

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who want to see and have black bears in their community but not in their neighborhood


your area?

12 138

12 14 1014

1914

18

8 713 14 13

7

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who want to see and have black bears in their township or city but not in their community



your area?

2720

4236

17

2832 29

33 34

4542

30 2823 23

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who want to see and have have black bears in their county but not in their township or city


your area?

710

14 1217

13 13 11 8 9

26 24

1216

8 7

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who feel uncomfortable about having black bears even in their county


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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.


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.


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.


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).


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).


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.


• 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.


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.)


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.


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).


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.


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


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).


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)



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


Moderatelydisagree

Stronglydisagree

Don't know

Percent




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)




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


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent




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


Moderatelydisagree

Stronglydisagree

Don't know

Percent




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


Moderatelydisagree

Strongly disagree

Don't know

Percent




population size in Pennsylvania?(Southeastern Region)

6

6

9

2

32

45

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly agree

Moderatelyagree


Moderatelydisagree

Stronglydisagree

Don't know

Percent (n=288)



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


Percent who strongly agree


Pennsylvania?

34 33 3629 32 29 28

3540

30 32 3540

3642 41

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who moderately agree



Pennsylvania?

1 2 4 4 1 26 4 2 2 2 23 3 3 1

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who neither agree nor disagree


Pennsylvania?

6 8 5 59 8 6

13

4 49 6

12

48 8

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who moderately disagree



Pennsylvania?

6 4 3 6 93 5 5 5

116 56 4 3 5

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who strongly disagree


Pennsylvania?

3 5 7 5 2 4 3 5 3 26 52

6 3 4

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether the black bear populations should be managed to control their size



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


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


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



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


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


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


p < 0.05


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


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)



(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 Region)

19

46

9

1

25

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent (n=281)




(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




(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




(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




(Southeastern Region)

29

1

11

43

16

0 20 40 60 80 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Don't know

Percent (n=288)



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


Percent who indicated that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing an excellent 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


Percent who indicated that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a good 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


Percent who indicated that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a fair 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


Percent who indicated that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is doing a poor job managing Pennsylvania's black bears




9 1216 13

913 13

1811 14

2925

17 1510 13

0

20

40

60

80

100


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



Significance


p < 0.001


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


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


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


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%



(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 Region)

37

33

10

7

11

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=281)





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent





1

21

8

6

29

36

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=288)




5956

38

47 49

60

52

38

52 52

36 37

46 48

57

42

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who strongly support


29 30 33 31 3126

30

46

3531 29

333135

2936

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who moderately support



2 25 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 6

103 4 2 0

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who neither support nor oppose


4 3 5 6 4 48 6 3 5

8 75 8 5

15

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who moderately oppose



5 8

1811 14

4 5 7 7 7

21

11125 5 5

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who strongly oppose


1 1 1 2 04 3 1 1 2 1 23 0 2 1

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose legal, regulated hunting of black bears


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


p < 0.05


Does not indicate supporting legal, regulated hunting of black bears in Pennsylvania.

Significance


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


p < 0.05

Is age 65 or above. (Split #1) p < 0.05


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)



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





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




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





Enjoys hunting or knows someone who likesto hunt





Black bears are a nuisance


Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=210)




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


Population controlis needed

Hunting blackbears is a tradition


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




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




It is a sport

Black bears arescary / does not

like bears


Black bears causedamage tolivestock

Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent




black bears.)(Part 1.)


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


Population control isneeded


Hunting black bearsis a tradition

Want the opportunityto hunt black bears

Black bears threatenhuman safety

Don't know


Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent






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 tolivestock

Black bears arescary / does not

like bears

Other



Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent




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





Want the opportunity to hunt blackbears


Hunting is a food source


Black bears cause damage toproperty

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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




black bears.)(Southeastern Region)

1

1

3

7

13

20

39

48

2

2

1

0 20 40 60 80 100







Enjoys hunting or knows someone wholikes to hunt




It is a sport

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=198)

WMU 5A, 5B, 5Cand 5D


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


30.2 26.8 30.4 41.9 39.9 27.3 36.9 42.3 28.7 31.7


6.5 14.4 18.1 12.8 9.4 14.4 21.8 9.7 21.9 16.8


15.7 11.7 10.7 13.5 10.1 16.2 12.4 17.1 6.1 13.8


7.6 6.3 10.7 3.1 4.4 9.5 3.8 5.2 5.7 5.5


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


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


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


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


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


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)




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





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



Don't know


Other


Against hunting unless it's for food

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent




black bears.)(Western Region)

2

3

3

51

19

9

6

4

4

1

2

2

0 20 40 60 80 100


Prefer other methods of populationcontrol








Want black bear population to belarger

Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=48)




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











Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent






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


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






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



Don't know


Other



Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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


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





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


Enjoys the black bear populationand / or worries about future bear

populations


Opposed to current methods ofhunting or trapping


Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent




black bears.)(Southeastern Region)

3

4

4

59

18

9

7

6

5

3

1

0 20 40 60 80 100










Don't know


Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=73)

WMU 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D


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


2.5 29.1 8.3 6.1 23.2 2.1 1.6 25.7 1.9 11.5


6.6 6.6 0.0 8.5 1.7 44.3 4.6 5.0 7.1 10.2


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


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


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


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


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


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


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



equipment



harvest any bears



Percent


Percent who oppose the following types of black bear hunting in Pennsylvania:

84

81

75

69

54

23

0 20 40 60 80 100




harvest any bears



equipment


Percent



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 seasonthat is limited to only using

archery equipment





harvest any bears

Percent

WesternNorth CentralSouth CentralNortheasternSoutheastern



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



archery equipment





harvest any bears

Percent




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


harvest any bears





archery equipment


Percent



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 thatis limited to only using archery

equipment


Legal, regulated training season,which allows people to chase blackbears with dogs but not harvest any

bears

Legal, regulated hunting with the useof dogs


Percent




Pennsylvania.(Western Region)

16

16

21

27

32

70

0 20 40 60 80 100



equipment



bears



Percent



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




bears



equipment


Percent

WMU 1A,1B,2A, and 2B




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



equipment





bears

Percent

WMU 2FWMU 2GWMU 3AWMU 4D



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



equipment



bears



Percent




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




bears



equipment


Percent





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



equipment




harvest any bears


Percent

WMU 2CWMU 2DWMU 2EWMU 4AWMU 4B



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



equipment





harvest any bears

Percent





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


harvest any bears





equipment


Percent





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



equipment



bears



Percent

WMU 3BWMU 3CWMU 3DWMU 4CWMU 4E



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




equipment


bears



Percent




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




bears



equipment


Percent





36

14

7

6

5

2

0 20 40 60 80 100



equipment


harvest any bears




Percent




Pennsylvania:(Southeastern Region)

64

34

19

18

11

8

0 20 40 60 80 100



equipment


harvest any bears




Percent





87

83

73

72

54

29

0 20 40 60 80 100




harvest any bears



equipment


Percent



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


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."



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.



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


black bear atall

Don't know

Percent





to only using archery equipment?(Western Region)

17

25

11

11

18

14

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent (n=281)





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent





to only using archery equipment?(Southeastern Region)

29

15

10

10

20

14

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent (n=288)




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





15 15 15 1621 20 17

23 2517 20 1818

1318 14

0

20

40

60

80

100






5 7 7 6 5 6 4 7 8 7 10 118 5 5 3

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who neither support nor



13 149 12 14 12 10 13 11

21

10 1112 13 14 13

0

20

40

60

80

100






32 31 30 2924

31 3226 25 25

15

2529 30

3932

0

20

40

60

80

100





6 5 7 6 5 5 6 6 7 5 3 24 6 3 30

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose a legal, regulated hunting season that is limited to only using archery equipment


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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent (n=4411)




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


black bear atall

Percent

HuntersNon-hunters

Most hunters oppose black bear hunting using bait.



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


black bear atall

Don't know

Percent





season?(Western Region)

17

56

7

1

11

5

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent (n=281)





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent





season?(Southeastern Region)

29

47

11

3

6

2

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent (n=288)




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





8 6 7 73

10 94

115 6

1115

10 105

0

20

40

60

80

100






0 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 3 11 4 3 10

20

40

60

80

100





10 8 8 9 613

712 12 16

1179

138 9

0

20

40

60

80

100






6460

54 5863

5956 59 60 57

47

56

47 47

59 58

0

20

40

60

80

100





2 51 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 32 3 3 2

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they would support or oppose allowing the use of bait in a legal, regulated black bear hunting season


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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent (n=4411)




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


black bear atall

Percent

HuntersNon-hunters

Most hunters oppose black bear hunting in the spring.



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


black bear atall

Don't know

Percent





spring?(Western Region)

17

34

11

7

16

11

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent





spring?(Southeastern Region)

29

32

11

7

12

6

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent (n=288)




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





1219 20

1216 18

13

2419

712

161420

15 17

0

20

40

60

80

100






6 3 3 5 3 4 5 3 6 5 7 74 3 3 20

20

40

60

80

100





158

12 13 14 1510 11

17 20

11 1113 10 11 12

0

20

40

60

80

100






4541

3238

43 42 42 41 3946

32 3439

35

4840

0

20

40

60

80

100





4 4 3 4 1 3 4 4 3 3 3 34 5 4 20

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they would support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting season during the spring


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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent (n=4411)




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


black bear atall

Percent

HuntersNon-hunters

Most hunters oppose black bear hunting using 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


black bear atall

Don't know

Percent





(Western Region)

17

47

7

9

9

7

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent






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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent






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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent






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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bears at all

Don't know

Percent






29

44

10

4

6

5

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose


bear at all

Don't know

Percent (n=288)




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





6 7 8 8 117 7 7 6 6 6 913 13 12

5

0

20

40

60

80

100






1 1 3 3 1 2 2 2 1 1 49

1 2 04

0

20

40

60

80

100





129 10 7 4

8 8

1711 9 10 76 9 11 12

0

20

40

60

80

100






65 66

5158 60

6460

5663

69

4447

57 5458

55

0

20

40

60

80

100





1 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 3 2 3 33 3 2 10

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they would support or oppose a legal, regulated black bear hunting with the use of dogs


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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=4411)



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.



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




bears?(Western Region)

10

11

3

15

57

4

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=281)




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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent




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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent




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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent




bears?(Southeastern Region)

4

60

14

4

12

7

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=288)



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





7 610 8

16

7 6

17

8 10 12 116

10 9 9

0

20

40

60

80

100






0 1 3 3 2 3 2 1 1 2 4 315

1 30

20

40

60

80

100





12 12 128 9 11

814 12

814 1513 15 14 11

0

20

40

60

80

100






73 74

63

7264

7572

6367

75

60 57

73

6168 70

0

20

40

60

80

100





3 1 4 3 3 1 3 2 3 2 4 42 4 1 30

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they would support or oppose a legal, regulated training season


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).


• 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


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).


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)



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




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)




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




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




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




black bears within the past 2 years?(Southeastern Region)

99

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent (n=288)



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


Percent who indicated that they personally had problems or property damage at their primary home caused by black bears in the past 2 years


the past 2 years?

7772

9388

8491 94

8885

89

99 9892

87 88

73

0

20

40

60

80

100


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



the past 2 years?

0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 00

20

40

60

80

100


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



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


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)



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


Agriculturaldamage




Bee hives

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent




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


Pets

Other

Barbecue grill

Damage tovehicle while

parked

Livestock

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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)





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



Agriculturaldamage



Garden


Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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





the past 2 years.)(Part 1.)


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



Garden

Agricultural damage

Building damage, noentry

Bee hives

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





the past 2 years.)(Part 2.)


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



Pets

Other

Human injury / attack

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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


Agriculturaldamage



Garden

Bee hives

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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



Livestock

Pets

Damage to vehiclewhile parked

Vehicle collision

Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





the past 2 years.)(Southeastern Region)

17

17

17

65

0 20 40 60 80 100


Agriculturaldamage

Birdfeeder

Other problem

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=5)



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


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


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)




(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 Region)

35

50

15

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent (n=5)






10

89

1

23

75

2

2

85

13

0

86

14

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Don't know

Percent






75

25

37

63

16

84

20

80

86

14

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent






14

86

10

90

88

12

92

8

80

20

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent






83

17

0 20 40 60 80 100

Yes

No

Percent (n=5)



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


Percent who indicated that they contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report a problem with black bears



75

85 8690 88

8086

9286

80 83

50

75

63

8489

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that they did not contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report a problem with black bears




23

13 1410 12

2014

814

20 17

35

25

37

1610

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that they did not know whether they contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to report a problem with black bears


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)




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



PGC employee visited my home /business to discuss the problem

Don't know

Received a return call from a PGCemployee to discuss the problem


PGC employee attempted to deter aproblem bear by hazing or aversive

conditioning

Other

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent


(Note: Graph for Question 39 for Western Region is not shown because of low sample size.)




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




PGC employee visited my home /business 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





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 visited my home / businessto discuss the problem



Don't know


Other


Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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


(Note: Graph for Question 39 for Southeastern Region is not shown because of low sample size.)


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


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


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)


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


Verydissatisfied

Don't know

Percent


(Note: Graph for Question 41 for Western Region is not shown because of low sample size.)


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



Very dissatisfied

Don't know

Percent


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)


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.)


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


Verydissatisfied

Don't know

Percent



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



Very dissatisfied

Don't know

Percent


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.)




with black bears.)

12

34

56

1710

66

0 0

2216

100

0

80

4350

8

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that they were very satisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission



with black bears.)

18 17 17

29

38

0

35

85

1916

0 00 3

17

36

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that they were somewhat satisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission




with black bears.)

60 0 0

19

0 0 0 0 0 0

75

0 0 06

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that they were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission



with black bears.)

13

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

35

0 0

2024

34 34

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that they were moderately dissatisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission




with black bears.)

32

49

0

54

2634

65

15

2532

0

25

0

26

0

16

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated that they were very dissatisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission



with black bears.)

18

0

27

08

0 0 0

34

0 0 00 3 0 00

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they were satisfied or dissatisfied with the response from the Pennsylvania Game Commission


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


Percent who strongly or moderately support having the Game Commission use the following option in


97

91

88

87

0 20 40 60 80 100







Percent


Percent who strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in


9

6

4

2

0 20 40 60 80 100







Percent


Percent who strongly or moderately oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in


11

10

6

2

0 20 40 60 80 100







Percent




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 has attempted to enter orhas actually entered homes or

buildings

Capturing and relocating a bearthat is causing agricultural

damage



Percent





9391

98

88

88

91

87

83

97

85

89

9796

91

90

86

86

90

96

90

0 20 40 60 80 100



buildings


damage



Percent





02

10

4

6

2

6

2

12

5

4

76

5

5

2

7

4

6

3

0 20 40 60 80 100


buildings




damage


Percent





12

9

7

11

2

15

4

9

9

7

129

8

8

3

8

7

12

4

0 20 40 60 80 100


damage




buildings


Percent




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


agriculturaldamage

Percent





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





0

2

6

12

0 20 40 60 80 100





shotgun ammunition


Percent



Percent who moderately or strongly oppose having the Game Commission use the following option in


1

4

9

14

0 20 40 60 80 100





shotgun ammunition


Percent




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


property damage




buildings



ammunition


agriculturaldamage

Percent





88

91

88

89

90

96

90

87

97

81

93

85

84

98

94

81

0 20 40 60 80 100


property damage



ammunition


agriculturaldamage




buildings

Percent





3

1

1

3

6

9

5

5

7

4

15

7

8

6

4

2

0 20 40 60 80 100




buildings


agriculturaldamage

Using non-lethalrepellents such aspepper spray, loudnoises, or rubber

shotgunammunition


property damage

Percent





3

1

3

7

9

10

10

10

8

6

13

17

11

16

8

4

0 20 40 60 80 100


agriculturaldamage




buildings



ammunition


property damage

Percent




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







Percent





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







Percent





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







Percent





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







Percent




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




buildings


property damage


agriculturaldamage


shotgunammunition

Percent





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


property damage




buildings



ammunition


agriculturaldamage

Percent





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




buildings


agriculturaldamage


shotgunammunition


property damage

Percent





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


agriculturaldamage


shotgunammunition




buildings


property damage

Percent




addressing nuisance black bear:(Southeastern Region)

84

78

69

65

0 20 40 60 80 100







Percent

WMU 5A, 5B,5C, and 5D




98

91

88

88

0 20 40 60 80 100







Percent





10

6

4

2

0 20 40 60 80 100







Percent





11

9

7

2

0 20 40 60 80 100







Percent



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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=4411)




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.




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





from a residential area or campground?(Western Region)

71

22

1

2

2

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=281)





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent





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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent





from a residential area or campground?(Southeastern Region)

4

3

2

22

69

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Percent (n=288)



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





1925

20 1826

18 2127

18 1622 22

18 21 20 22

0

20

40

60

80

100






3 3 2 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 2 12 40 1

0

20

40

60

80

100





4 26

2 16 3 2 1 2 3 23 3 5 4

0

20

40

60

80

100






5 84 3 5 2 4 4 2 5 4 2

6 5 5 3

0

20

40

60

80

100





1 2 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 0 23 3 2 10

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose the Game Commission using non-lethal repellants to repel nuisance bears



Significance


p < 0.001


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


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


Does not indicate supporting having the Game Commission use non-lethal repellents to temporarily repel nuisance bears from a residential area or

campground.

Significance


p < 0.001


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


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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=4411)




(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 Region)

83

14

1

1

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Percent (n=281)






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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent






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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent






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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent






2

14

84

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport

Strongly oppose

Percent (n=288)



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





12 915

9 11 13 1418

10 814 1411

1511 8

0

20

40

60

80

100






0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 00

20

40

60

80

100





0 2 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 11 1 0 20

20

40

60

80

100






3 4 2 14 2 2 2 1 3 2 02 3 2 1

0

20

40

60

80

100





0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 11 0 0 10

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relcating a bear that is causing property damage



Significance


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


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


Significance


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


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



causing agricultural damage?(Statewide)

2

6

4

1

22

65

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=4411)



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




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




causing agricultural damage?(Western Region)

64

24

1

3

6

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=281)




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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent




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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent




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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent




causing agricultural damage?(Southeastern Region)

2

6

3

2

23

65

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=288)



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




damage?

2023

19 21 20 18 1925

2015

23 2321 21 2025

0

20

40

60

80

100





damage?

1 1 2 1 2 1 1 0 2 1 2 10 2 0 00

20

40

60

80

100




damage?

3 6 6 5 5 48 7

125 3 34 2 4 4

0

20

40

60

80

100





damage?

5 7 6 6 7 7 8 6 48 6 64 4 5 6

0

20

40

60

80

100




damage?

1 2 2 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 2 31 0 1 00

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know whether they support or oppose the Game Commission capturing and relcating a bear that is causing agricultural damage



Significance


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


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


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.)



Significance


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


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


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


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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=4411)




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





(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 Region)

76

7

1

3

12

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Strongly support

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=281)






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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent






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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent






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


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent






1

10

1

0

9

78

0 20 40 60 80 100

Stronglysupport

Moderatelysupport


Moderatelyoppose

Strongly oppose

Don't know

Percent (n=288)



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





9 9 9 9 6 9 8 1015

9 9 7711 9

5

0

20

40

60

80

100






2 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 10 0 0 10

20

40

60

80

100





3 2 1 2 2 3 1 2 2 3 1 315

1 10

20

40

60

80

100






715

8 6 5 710

6 6 7 10 125 4

8 9

0

20

40

60

80

100





1 1 14

0 3 1 1 1 2 1 11 0 1 20

20

40

60

80

100


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



Significance


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


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


Significance


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


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


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




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


MeanSouth Central = 3.31North Central = 3.15Northeast = 3.07Western = 3.08Southeast = 2.71




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)


Mean = 3.09




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


MeanWMU 2F = 3.06WMU 2G = 3.25WMU 3A = 3.08WMU 4D = 3.13




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


Mean WMU 2C = 3.49 WMU 2D = 3.04 WMU 2E = 3.41 WMU 4A = 2.78 WMU 4B = 3.29




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


MeanWMU 3B = 3.03WMU 3C = 3.22WMU 3D = 3.40WMU 4C = 2.70WMU 4E = 3.02




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)


Mean = 2.71


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



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




(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





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)


Mean = 3.03





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







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







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







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)


Mean = 3.18


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




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




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






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)


Mean = 1.82




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






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






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






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)


Mean = 1.58


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



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.


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


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


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


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.


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).


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).


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.



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.


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.



nothing?(Statewide)

26

47

24

3

0 20 40 60 80 100

A great deal

A moderateamount

A little

Nothing

Percent (n=4411)



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




nothing?(Western Region)

1

21

52

26

0 20 40 60 80 100

A great deal

A moderateamount

A little

Nothing

Percent (n=281)




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




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




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




nothing?(Southeastern Region)

31

44

23

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

A great deal

A moderateamount

A little

Nothing

Percent (n=288)





11 104 5

94 4 5 4 6

2 13 4 5 4

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated knowing a great deal



3340

2331 30

26 27 26 2631

23 21

31 31 3327

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated knowing a moderate amount




4338

48 45 45

59

50 4955

46 445251

48 4856

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated knowing a little



13 12

2519 17

1119 21

15 17

3126

15 1714 12

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who indicated knowing nothing


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


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


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


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)


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




(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



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


From hunting or interacting with ahunter

Other

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=281)





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


bears

Internet

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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


hunter


School /classroom

Publicpresentation

Video / DVD

Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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


bears

Internet

Personalexperience

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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



hunter

Don't know

Other

Publicpresentation

School /classroom

Video / DVD

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent



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


bears

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent



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


hunter

School / classroom

Public presentation


Video / DVD

Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent



Q58. Where do you get your information about black bears?


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


Personal experience

From hunting or interacting with a hunter

Video / DVD

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=288)



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


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


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)



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





(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 Region)

1

69

19

5

2

2

2

0 20 40 60 80 100

None


PGC website


pamphlet

PGC employee

PGC newsrelease


Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=233)






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


PGC website

PGC employee

PGC news release



pamphlet

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent






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





(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


PGC website

PGC employee

PGC newsrelease


pamphlet


Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





(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


PGC

Other

Books

School /classroom

presentation byPGC

PGC black bearvideo

Hunting resources

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent






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


PGC website

PGC employee

PGC newsrelease


pamphlet


PGC

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent






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


PGC black bearvideo

Huntingresources

School /classroom

presentation byPGC

Books

Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent




bears? (Asked of individuals who received information about black bears.)


2

3

5

9

9

72

1

1

1

0 20 40 60 80 100

None

PGC website


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)



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


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


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)



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


Percent




black bears?(Western Region)

16

36

47

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very interested

Somewhatinterested


Percent (n=281)




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


Percent




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


Percent




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


Percent




black bears?(Southeastern Region)

61

21

18

0 20 40 60 80 100

Very interested

Somewhatinterested


Percent (n=288)



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


Percent who indicated that they are very interested 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


Percent who indicated that they are somewhat interested 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


Percent who indicated that they are not at all interested in receiving information from the Game Commission about black bears


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


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


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)



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




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



patterns)

Population statistics and breedinginformation

Black bear behavior


Other

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent



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


Black bear hunting


Who to contact if you have a bearproblem

Black bear habitat information (suchas location, migration and hibernation

patterns)




Black bear behavior

Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=131)



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


How to avoid / stop nuisance bear problems

Black bear hunting


Who to contact if you have a bear problem



Black bear habitat information (such aslocation, migration and hibernation patterns)

Black bear behavior


Other

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent



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



problem

Don't know

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent



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



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


How to avoid /stop nuisancebear problems


problem

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent



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)


Black bear behavior


Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent



Q67. What black bear topics interest you?(Asked of individuals who are interested in

receiving information about black bears from the Game Commission.)


2

5

5

23

26

27

29

45

46

9

8

7

0 20 40 60 80 100

Black bear biology


Black bear hunting




Don't know


Black bear behavior


patterns)



Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=112)



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


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


20.8 17.4 13.6 11.6 19.9 16.3 27.3 26.4 28.4 21.2


16.8 12.5 11.2 8.2 15.0 10.5 19.9 11.5 20.6 15.7


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


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


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


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).


• 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.


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


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


p < 0.01


p < 0.05


p < 0.05

Lives in the Northeastern Region - least homogenous bear density region. p < 0.05


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


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.



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





(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





(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




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)






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






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






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






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






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






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






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




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)



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


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


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.


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


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


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


p < 0.001


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


Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. Significance


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


p < 0.05


p < 0.05


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


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


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


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


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


p < 0.01


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


p < 0.001


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


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


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


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)



(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



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


Native Americanor Alaskannative orAleutian

Refused

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=281)




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



Don't know

Refused

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





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


Don't know

Other

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent




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



Don't know

Refused

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent





1

5

10

83

0 20 40 60 80 100

White orCaucasian

Refused


Hispanic orLatino

Mul

tiple

Res

pons

es A

llow

ed

Percent (n=288)



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


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


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


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


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)




1

35

9

27

22

6

2

22

5

14

34

24

0 20 40 60 80 100


Suburbanarea

Small city ortown

Rural area ona farm


Refused

Percent

HuntersNon-hunters

Although hunters tend to be rural, there are some living in more urban environments.




(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


Suburbanarea

Small city ortown

Rural area ona farm

Rural areanot on a farm

Refused

Percent





(Western Region)

16

34

22

4

24

0 20 40 60 80 100


Suburban area

Small city or town

Rural area on afarm

Rural area not ona farm

Percent (n=281)






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


Suburban area

Small city or town

Rural area on afarm

Rural area not ona farm

Refused

Percent






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


Suburban area

Small city ortown

Rural area on afarm


Don't know

Refused

Percent






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


Suburban area

Small city ortown

Rural area on afarm


Don't know

Refused

Percent






3

16

5

17

44

15

0 20 40 60 80 100


Suburban area

Small city ortown

Rural area on afarm


Refused

Percent (n=288)



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


Percent who consider their primary residence to be a large city or urban area



81

12 136

2

1410 8 6

44

34

17

84

9

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who consider their primary residence to be a suburban area




36

4552

42

2835 31

42 4248

1721

3036

4844

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who consider their primary residence to be a small city or town



813

49

3

19

8 105 7 5 4

9 10 9 7

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who consider their primary residence to be a rural area on a farm




4438

16

27

59

42 40

30

4034

1623

3741

37 38

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who consider their primary residence to be 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


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


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


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


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


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 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


p < 0.001


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


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


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


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


p < 0.05


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


p < 0.05


p < 0.05


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)



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


degree

Bachelor's orfour-yeardegree


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.



(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



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




degree


degree



degree

Refused

Percent (n=281)





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




degree


degree



degree

Don't know

Refused

Percent





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


degree


degree

Bachelor's orfour-yeardegree


degree

Don't know

Refused

Percent





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




degree


degree



degree

Don't know

Refused

Percent





16

26

9

14

26

5

3

0 20 40 60 80 100




degree

Associate or tradeschool degree

Bachelor's or four-year degree

Graduate orprofessional degree

Refused

Percent (n=288)




5 73 4 5

159 6 6 5 5 47 5

10 6

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who did not finish high school


4944 42

3442

37 38 4234

47

26

373744

4844

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who completed high school or their GED



1419 20 19

1419

14

23

1417

14 1716 1410

20

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who completed some college or trade school but did not receive a degree


5 8 9 7 9 9 10 10 12 10 9 813

714

11

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who received an associate or trade school degree



2113 15

21 1912

2014

2113

2619

1520

14 12

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who did received a bachelor's or four year degree


5 7 913 10

6 6 512

6

16 14117 4 5

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who received a graduate or professional degree


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


p < 0.05


p < 0.05

Is female. p < 0.05 Lives in the Western Region - low bear density region. p < 0.05


Education level is Bachelor’s or higher degree. (Split #1) Significance


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


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


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


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


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


p < 0.05

Feels uncomfortable about having black bears in his/her county. p < 0.05


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


p < 0.001


p < 0.001


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


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


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


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


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


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


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)



(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




(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




(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



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


Medical / wellness



Construction / carpentry / plumbing /electrical / craftsman

Government services

Disabled




Self-employed

Other


Don't know / Refused

Percent (n=281)



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



Education





Government services


Percent



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


Landscaping

Military

Other

Unemployed

Homemaker

Disabled

Retired

Don't know / Refused

Percent



Q83. Respondent's occupation.(Part 1.)


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





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


Finance / insurance/ real estate

Percent





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





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


Medical / wellness



Education




Government services



Percent





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


Self-employed

Military

Other

Unemployed

Homemaker

Disabled

Retired

Don't know /Refused

Percent



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


Medical / wellness

Education

Homemaker

Government services




Other


Self-employed





Disabled

Unemployed

Landscaping

Percent (n=288)



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


13.8 8.4 9.1 12.4 8.0 11.2 6.5 14.5 5.7 8.6


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


4.1 3.8 5.4 6.2 7.1 4.6 6.6 1.9 4.2 5.4


2.2 6.5 4.8 7.2 4.5 0.9 4.6 9.2 2.5 4.7


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


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


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


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


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


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)



(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 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)





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





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





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





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)




128

1511

7 9 614 11 10

5 712

815

11

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as under $20,000


14 16 14 1713 15 18

1420

169

15

2417 15

18

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as $20,000-$39,999



2317

1014

1915

20 18 16 14 111816 18

11 14

0

20

40

60

80

100




11 129

1317 14 14

10 12 11 8 914 15 14 11

0

20

40

60

80

100





4 4 5 5 72

8 83 4

1066 8 5 8

0

20

40

60

80

100




2 2 5 3 3 4 5 3 2 3 4 62 4 2 3

0

20

40

60

80

100





2 3 4 2 3 5 5 6 5 3

13

53 61 2

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who describe their total household income before taxes last year as more than $120,000


3237 38 35

3135

25 2731

39 3935

23 23

3732

0

20

40

60

80

100


Percent who don't know or refused to describe their total household income before taxes last year


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

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Responsive Management has conducted research on numerous natural resource ballot initiatives

and referenda and helped agencies and organizations find alternative funding and increase their

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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

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