Multiple determinants of satisfaction from a specific waterfowl hunting trip

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Abstract
This paper builds upon the multiple satisfaction approach to game management by evaluating the individual and combined effects of three basic dimensions—wildlife, human interaction, and nature/sport—on overall hunting satisfaction. In contrast to previous studies that focused on either hunting in general or deer hunting, this analysis was based on hunter evaluations of a specific waterfowl hunting trip. Results generally support the concept of multiple satisfactions, with a combination of wildlife, human interaction, and nature/sport variables accounting for 36% of the variance in satisfaction. Taken individually, nature/sport items explained more of the variation in satisfaction (R2 = .23) than either the wildlife (R2 = .08) or the human interaction variables (R2 = .14). Some discrepancies were noted between the findings presented here and those reported in previous investigations. For example, contrary to several earlier studies that found success to be an important determinant of satisfaction, the zero‐order correlation between the number of birds bagged by the respondent and overall satisfaction was not significant. Such discrepancies with previous research are attributed to the hunters’ prior experience in the setting, their expectations for success, and the population and setting under investigation.