Private Land Access and Deer Management in Three Pennsylvania Counties: Key Informants' Perspectives

Abstract

Access to private land for hunting is critical for deer management. An understanding of current trends in private land access is important for deer management decisions. Key informant interviews were conducted in three Pennsylvania counties to determine current land access issues. This research focused on deer management issues, landowner concerns, recreational access issues, and proposed solutions for improving access to private lands. In each county, key informants acknowledged a deer overabundance problem. They also indicated that safety, liability, and concerns about hunter behavior often caused landowners to restrict access to their property. Key informants frequently proposed solutions that would educate landowners and hunters about the role they play in maintaining free access to private land for deer hunting. Additionally, key informants thought an increased presence of law enforcement, firearms restrictions, and financial incentives may also appeal to private landowners' concerns about allowing access to their property.

Keywords:

• private land
• recreational access
• deer management
• key informants
• access
• posting

Notes

1. The Farm Game Program, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, encourages landowners to open their property for hunting. In return, landowners receive an annual subscription to the Game News, the official Commission magazine, signs to mark access roads, more ready access to Wildlife Conservation Officers to enforce violations, and technical assistance for habitat management.

Siemer, W. F., Brown, T. L., & Decker, D. J. (1990). Hunting access attitudes and practices of landowners in New York, NY: A pilot study in Saratoga and Sullivan Counties. Human Dimensions Research Unit Publ. 90-8, Department of Natural Resources, N.Y.S. Coll. of Ag. and Life Sci., Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.