Identity and Specialization as a Waterfowl Hunter

Abstract

Like specialization, identity offers a way for differentiating and understanding recreationists and for gaining insight into the question of participant progression in an activity. We examined how identity related to measures of specialization among lapsed and current waterfowl hunters. Lapsed hunters included those who had purchased a Minnesota waterfowl stamp between 2000 and 2004, but not since this time. Current hunters had purchased a 2010 stamp. Results suggested that some waterfowl hunters specialize and progress toward a waterfowl-hunter identity. Others, however, either hunt for years but never specialize and identify as waterfowl hunters, or move toward but do not attain a waterfowl hunter identity. Individuals who achieve a waterfowl hunter identity may also later relinquish this identity. Identification was associated with increased specialization and resistance to change from a preference for waterfowl hunting. Individuals who had relinquished their identity retained social and knowledge-based commitment to waterfowl hunting, whereas attraction and centrality declined.

Keywords:

• recreation identity
• recreation specialization
• waterfowl hunters

Notes

Weights correcting potential nonresponse bias were calculated and applied to the data. There were a few statistically significant differences between the weighted and unweighted data, but weighting did not change results beyond the margin of error for the survey. Therefore, data were not weighted to correct for nonresponse bias in any results reported here.

The use of trade, product, industry or firm names or products or software or models, whether commercially available or not, is for informative purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Government or the U.S. Geological Survey.

TABLE 1 Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Specialization Dimensions