CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTION 



Scope and Objectives 



The upland game bird hunter survey was designed to collect information from these hunters to: 

 1) estimate the net economic value of upland game bird hunting in Montana and, 2) better 

 understand upland game bird hunters' reasons for bird hunting, their thoughts on upland game 

 bird management in Montana, and provide a picture of these hunters from the socio-demographic 

 data provided. A random sample of resident and nonresident upland game bird hunters were 

 administered this survey. 



A contingent valuation dichotomous choice format was used to elicit responses about the value 

 of upland game bird hunting. Logistic regression models were then used to calculate the 

 economic benefit estimates. Descriptive statistics were utilized in presenting the data on trip and 

 hunter characteristics/attitudes and views on upland game bird management. 



This report does not explore nonuse values that this resource provides. Nonconsumptive/nonuse 

 values associated with upland game birds are not possible to estimate without the use of a 

 general household survey. Literature suggests (Walsh et al. 1985) that these values may make 

 up a large portion of the total value related to upland game birds. 



Definition of Economic Benefits 



The recreational opportunities that wildlife provide can be measured in an economic framework. 

 The value of these resources, is the benefit derived from their use (upland game bird hunting 

 in this case) and the benefits are generally non-monetary. Most goods and services are 

 exchanged in defined markets and have prices established through this market exchange. The 

 same economic principles that define a price for a marketed good apply for defining a price for 

 nonmarketed resources. 



When recreationist are asked if an activity is worth more to them than the amount they had to 

 spend, many answer "yes". These people experience "net willingness to pay". Net willingness 

 to pay is the additional amount a recreationist is willing to pay over and above what they 

 actually have to pay for an activity. This net willingness to pay or net economic value is the 

 measure of benefits associated with upland game bird hunting. 



The U.S. Water Resources Council Principles and Guidelines (1983) require many federal 

 agencies to use net willingness to pay as the measurement of value for both marketed and 

 nonmarketed resources. The U.S. Department of the Interior also requires the use of this 

 economic concept in determining losses and gains to society (U.S. Department of the Interior, 

 1986). The Bureau of Land Management uses net willingness to pay when evaluating the value 



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