Fee hunting on private rangelands in the Texas Trans Pecos and central Oregon


Category:  Range Science
Linked Publication
Language: English
Author(s): larry Dale Butler
Description: This dissertation describes and compares fee-hunting enterprises on private rangeland in the Texas Trans Pecos and central Oregon. Economics, stocking rates, range condition, mule deer harvest, and use of technical assistance between ranches with and without mule deer fee hunting in the Texas Trans Pecos are compared. Questionnaires were mailed to 347 and 215 ranchers in the Texas Trans Pecos and central Oregon, respectively. Fifty two percent of the Texas ranchers and 19% of the Oregon ranchers had fee hunting. Fee hunting has existed in both states for an equal number of years. Most ranchers had a fee hunting enterprise to increase income, control trespass, and prevent requests for free hunts. Texas ranchers received higher fees than Oregon ranchers. Fee hunting and other fee-recreational activities have a potential to increase in both states. Ranchers with fee hunting were more likely to adjust livestock numbers, pattern of livestock grazing, and wildlife numbers than ranchers without fee hunting. Personal interview data were used to develop ranch income statements for Texas Trans Pecos ranchers with and without fee hunting. Average total net income (grazing plus mule deer hunting) above variable costs per livestock animal unit was not statistically different between the two rancher groups. Ranchers with fee hunting achieved this net income with lower risk than ranchers without fee hunting due to the additional source of cash flow. There was no statistical difference between fee-hunting and non-fee-hunting ranchers' average percentage departure from stocking rates recommended by the Soil Conservation Service. Both groups stocked near the recommended rates. Ranchers with fee hunting were more likely to have good rather than poor-condition rangeland. The amount and frequency of Soil Conservation Service technical assistance used was the same for ranches with and without fee hunting.