INTRODUCTION 



Purpose and Scope of Re search 



The objective of this research is to statistically estimate 

 the net economic value (net willingness to pay) for deer hunting 

 in Montana, using a survey of Montana hunters. The hunting 

 benefit estimates are derived from a regional (multi-site) travel 

 cost model (TCM) demand equation. These estimates should prove 

 useful in U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management 

 multiple-use planning decisions. These values are also suitable 

 for evaluation of the benefits of habitat improvements (as 

 performed by BLM using SAGERAM) or making trade-offs between 

 wildlife and livestock land use. While the values reported here 

 represent the direct contribution of deer hunting to society: 

 there is 1) value in knowing that the opportunity exists to hunt 

 deer (option value); 2) value in simply knowing that deer exist, 

 regardless of one's use of them (existence value); and 3) a 

 willingness to pay to provide deer for future generations' use or 

 enjoyment (bequest value). Although option, existence, and 

 bequest values are important when determining large-scale impacts 

 to resources, these values are not the most appropriate for 

 determining the economic impact of small management changes on 

 resources . 



Definition of Benefits 



Many federal agencies are required by the U.S. Water 

 Resources Council Principles and Guidelines (1983) to use the net 

 willingness to pay (net economic value) as a measure of value in 



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