Exploring stakeholder communication within a caribou hunting system of Arctic Alaska

ABSTRACT

The Central Arctic Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) Herd (CACH) of Arctic Alaska rapidly declined (approximately 70%) between 2010–2016, which has generated hunter concerns and more conservative hunting regulations. Stakeholders expressed interest in exploring opportunities for a more effective exchange of information to facilitate management. We conducted a survey to identify hunters’ insights into CACH dynamics and to estimate the extent and effectiveness of stakeholder communication channels. Most hunters (69%) perceived a decline in caribou numbers where they hunt because of shifts in caribou movement. Approximately half of hunters (46%) communicated with other stakeholders and primarily shared their thoughts through solely informal (29%) rather than formal (2%) communication channels. Informal channels were perceived as equally or more effective than formal channels for influencing management. We provided a revised model of hunter engagement in the regulatory process. Our research contributes to knowledge on stakeholder communication channels, an understudied topic within wildlife management.

KEYWORDS:

• Co-production
• focus groups
• hunting regulations
• reindeer
• survey research

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the stakeholders who provided information in our focus group discussions and all the hunters who participated in our survey. We thank the Alaska Department of Fish & Game for providing access to their hunter harvest records. We also thank the National Science Foundation who provided funding for this study [Office of Polar Programs, Arctic System Science Program Award #1604160].

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Office of Polar Programs [1604160].