CHAPTER I 

 INTRODUCTION 



Scope and Objectives 



The objective of this study was twofold: 1) to statistically 

 estimate the net economic value of mountain lion hunting in the 

 state of Montana and 2) to provide a profile of lion 

 hunters/chasers. To accomplish this, a survey was administered 

 to a random sample of mountain lion license holders for 1993. 

 The survey asked hunters a variety of questions regarding their 

 lion hunting, their attitudes about mountain lion management, 

 their actual expenditures for the 1993 hunting/chasing season and 

 the value they place on the hunting experience as well as some 

 socio-demographic questions. Descriptive statistics were used to 

 analyze hunter and trip characteristics. The economic valuation 

 questions were analyzed using logistic regression techniques. 



As stated above, the intent of this study is to estimate the 

 economic value of mountain lion hunting. Other values 

 associated with this resource have not been examined in this 

 report. While these values (existence, option, bequest) may make 

 up a large part of the total value associated with mountain 

 lions, the estimation of these values is beyond the scope of this 

 study. While nonuse values are important when discussing the 

 loss or large scale impact to a resource, current use values 

 (net economic value of hunting) are an adequate measure when 

 showing the economic effects of marginal changes in mountain lion 

 management . 



Definition of Economic Benefits 



Value is the benefit gained from the use of a good or service and 

 can accrue to either an individual or society as a whole. In the 

 case of a wildlife resource such as mountain lions these benefits 

 are non-monetary. To compare the uses of various resources and 

 make efficient allocation of them, these resources need to placed 

 on common ground. Generally the standard used for this type of 

 comparison is the monetary system. 



The estimates of economic value of wildlife provide answers to 

 the question, "What is the net social benefit from the use of 

 wildlife?" (Fay and Thomas , 1986a) . This valuation can be used to 

 derive demand curves or price-quantity relationships that are 

 used to show the value of wildlife related activities. The area 

 under the demand curve and above actual expenditures is called 

 consumer surplus, net economic value or net willingness to pay. 



