| dc.description.abstract | Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a widespread exotic, invasive species that poses ecological, agricultural, and human health risks in their invaded range. Wildlife managers must manage wild pig abundance and range expansion to mitigate these risks. The diversity of stakeholders involved in the issue of wild pig management complicates efforts to manager the species, and, to be successful, wildlife professionals must consider the human dimensions associated with wild pig management. The prevalence of privately-owned lands in Texas necessitates cooperation to enact effective management policies. In this thesis, I investigate the factors that affect an individual’s likelihood to participate in wild pig hunting activities, the impact of hunter motivations on wild pig harvest quantity, and whether Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service education efforts have successfully inspired change in wild pig management on private lands. Multiple factors impact participation in wild pig hunting activities. Participation in other types of big game hunting increased likelihood of participation in wild pig hunting. Results suggest that wild pig hunting does not deter individuals from participating in other types of hunting activities. Additionally, perceptions of wild pigs are important in determining the likelihood of participation in wild pig hunting. The diversity of wild pig hunters in Texas necessitates that wildlife managers understand the desires of the public as well as natural resource needs. Motivations driving wild pig hunting are similarly diverse. While the majority of wild pig hunters in Texas are motivated by trophy value, meat-motivated hunters harvest more wild pigs per day afield. Results suggest that hunting alone is not sufficient to reduce wild pig abundance and range expansion. Alternatively, wildlife managers should develop plans that include various management techniques to control wild pig population growth and damage. Education and outreach will continue to be important for involving private landowners in effective wild pig management. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has provided education on wild pig management and damage abatement for 30 years. This study finds that Extension wild pig semina attendees harvest more wild pigs than non-attendees. Further, attendees continue to employ several suggested management techniques for wild pig trapping. Extension education specialists may improve technique adoption by reducing barriers to adoption among Texas landowners. | en |
